SPOKANE, WA— WestCoast Hospitality Corp. chieftain Donald Barbieri is planning to retire as president/CEO of that organization effective upon the appointment of his successor by the firm’s board of directors. Barbieri expects to continue in the role of chairman for the company, with his primary duties encompassing working with the WestCoast board to identify new business opportunities and serving as corporate ambassador to the company’s associates, customers, owners and community partners. Barbieri joined the company in 1969, has served as president/CEO and a director of the firm since 1978, and assumed the post of chairman in 1996. During the past 18 months, WestCoast has been particularly active, primarily with acquiring the Red Lion brand from Hilton that comprised the purchase of 63 hotels to create a family of more than 80 properties in 14 states. The company also launched a state-of-the-art central reservations system, while successfully merging the Red Lion Club and WestAwards affinity programs into a new GuestAwards program. The WestCoast Hospitality board’s search for Barbieri’s successor as president/CEO is currently under way.
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