Carlson president and CEO Hubert Joly is now taking personal charge of the company's hotel segment, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, as a part of an executive reorganization, the company announced today.
Joly, who took over as Carlson's president in March 2008
(BTNonline, Jan. 8, 2008), now will directly lead the global management team for Carlson's 1,048 hotels under brands that include the Regent, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn brands. Carlson Hotels Worldwide president Jay Witzel is moving to a consulting role within the company, according to Carlson.
In addition, Carlson announced that Rezidor Hotel Group COO Thorsten Kirschke would take the role of Carlson Hotels COO for the Americas as of Sept. 1. Carlson is the main shareholder of the Brussels-based Rezidor, which operates many of Carlson's brands in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
"Thorsten brings an exception background of leadership and management success in the hotel industry to this role," Joly said in a statement. "His extensive global experience includes management roles in Russia, Germany, Denmark, Norway, England, United Arab Emirates and China."