LOS ANGELES UCLA Extension today honored Candlewood Hotel Co. Chairman/CEO Jack DeBoer with a Lifetime Achievement Award. DeBoer is recognized as the creator of the extended stay hotel concept.
In 1975, DeBoer built the first Residence Inn all-suite hotel in downtown Wichita, KS. He built or franchised 100 hotels before opening selling the Residence Inn Co. to Marriott Corp. in 1987. In 1988, he co-founded Summerfield Hotel Corp., a second-generation upscale all-suite hotel chain, which has developed more than 30 hotels.
DeBoer founded Candlewood in 1995 and Cambridge Suites, the upscale brand Candlewood franchises, in 1998. Both concepts serve travelers on short or long-term stays. Additionally, DeBoer was included in the National Registry of Whos Who in 1999 and founded the DeBoer Family Foundation, which provides medical relief and business loans in Burma. (1/17/01)