Belmonte At The Helm Of Hospitality Solutions

NEW YORK— Steve Belmonte, former CEO of Ramada Franchise Systems, reports that he is settling nicely into his new role as the head of his own company, Hospitality Solutions, LLC. Belmonte, who resigned from Cendant Corp. as of April 1 after having headed up the Ramada brand for 10 years, said his first intention upon leaving corporate life was to take time off and enjoy his lakeside property in Pennsylvania. “So far I’ve been there just two days,” he laughed, noting that he’s never actually taken time off during his career, except for a week of vacation here and there. Thus far, Belmonte in his new life is working in three very diverse areas, as a general hotel consultant working on a national basis; as a public speaker; and as an expert industry witness for law firms around the country. He currently has projects on his plate in each arena, and is getting ready to serve on the boards of two corporations beginning in July. Moreover, he’s also been named to serve as the vice chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation, which is the entity borne of the merger between AH&LA’s Educational Institute and American Hotel & Lodging Foundation. But Belmonte told HOTEL BUSINESS® that the life he’s leading now may not necessarily be where we’ll see him when 2003 rolls around. “The truth is, I don’t know how this will shake out, I’ve been a corporate guy for 11 years,” he said. “I’ve taken my home office and gutted it, and installed state-of-the art equipment.” “I’m working from home, and I don’t like it,” he said. While that move may encourage the former Ramada chief to actually get himself an office, and staff, outside of his home, it may also navigate him back to the corporate world, he said. “Come January or February, I might be at the helm of another hotel company. My gut instinct is telling me that you will see a press release indicating that I am the head of an existing hotel company,” he said. When asked what his dream job would be, Belmonte revealed that his fantasy would be taking over the Sheraton hotel brand, although he emphasized that he is not in talks with Starwood over such a venture. “Sheraton is one of the greatest names in lodging, but it’s been sleeping for a long time,” he said. “I felt it’s poised for great quality growth and expansion.” Regardless of what his next step is, Belmonte said that hotel operations will always be near and dear to his heart. “When you’re at the helm of a hotel you could have a thought about a promotion or a package, and the next day you can make it happen,” he said. As for the immediate future, “I’ve not notched myself in a certain direction. But there’s no way I’m going to retire at the age of 49,” he told HOTEL BUSINESS®.