Carlson Cos. earlier this month named Carlson Wagonlit Travel president and CEO Hubert Joly as successor to chairman and CEO Marilyn Carlson Nelson, effective March 1. Joly will lead the Minneapolis-based Carlson, which has controlling ownership stakes in companies including Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide and Carlson Marketing.
During his tenure at CWT, Joly oversaw the integration of Maritz Travel's corporate travel operations
(BTN, March 29, 2004), orchestrated the acquisition of the second-largest travel management company in the United States, Navigant International, and led CWT through an ownership change in which Accor relinquished its 50 percent share, leading to Carlson's 55 percent stake and minority ownership by One Equity Partners
(BTN, May 1, 2006). In addition, CWT claims that its sales grew during Joly's watch from $8.9 billion in 2003 to about $22 billion in 2007.
Joly is the fourth CEO in Carlson Cos.' 70-year history and is the first non-family member to hold the post. He joined CWT in 2004, following roles at Vivendi Universal Games, Electronic Data Systems Europe and management consulting firm McKinsey & Co.
Joly was not considered until late in the 15-month search for a successor, according to Nelson. She served on the search committee with an independent contractor and board members Diana Nelson and former Carlson CEO Edwin Gage.
"Hubert was not initially in the consideration set because he was CEO of a global company that we own 55 percent of and it is growing dramatically," Nelson told BTN. "Later in the process, as we looked at the various skill sets of the candidates that we had from around the world and we narrowed it down, we started to realize that if our partners would consider it and Hubert would consider it, he should be a candidate. He fit the criteria and was an experienced CEO with a demonstrated track record."
Meanwhile, CWT has begun a search for Joly's replacement to lead the travel management company. Carlson Nelson, who served as CEO for 10 years, will remain chairman of the board. Her brother-in-law, Gage, and her father, company founder Curtis Carlson, preceded her in the CEO position.