RLH Corporation Appoints John Russell Chief Executive Officer
Red Lion Hotels Corporation (the "Company") (NYSE: RLH), today announced John J. Russell, Jr., has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Russell, an industry veteran with more than 40 years of hospitality experience, has been serving as RLHC's interim CEO since December 3, 2019.
Carter Pate, Chairman of the Board stated, "We are very pleased to be appointing John as Red Lion's permanent CEO. Since joining RLHC, John has helped refocus the Company on supporting its franchisee relationships and cultivating franchise growth. He also has helped effectively navigate through this incredibly difficult period and the related challenges due to the pandemic. We are fortunate to have someone with the depth of experience that John brings to lead the RLHC team and support our commitment to improving shareholder value."
Prior to joining Red Lion in December 2019, Mr. Russell served as President and COOof Sentry Hospitality from October 2017, a management company for hotels, resorts, conference centers, and private residence clubs. From March 2016 to July 2017, Mr. Russell was the Senior Vice President, Guest Experience, Education and Development, at the Georgia Aquarium, and from January 2012 through February 2016, Mr. Russell served as the President of Sentry Hospitality and Sentry Companies. Mr. Russell also recently served as Senior Advisor for Ocean Visions, Inc., an organization that funds and launches companies that find solutions to problems with oceans. Over the past 40 years, Mr. Russell has held numerous executive positions with hospitality companies, including ITT Sheraton, Days Inn of America, Carlson Companies, Benchmark Hospitality, HFS, Cendant, RCI, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell (Partner), NYLO Hotels, MODO Hotels and CampusBrands. Mr. Russell is also a past Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and President of the Hospitality Sales Marketing Association International.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
