Carlson Hotels Groups Similar Brand Types Together In New Corporate Structure

MINNEAPOLIS— Carlson Hotels Worldwide reorganized its lodging division, combining its two upscale brands in a full-service group and its two midscale brands in a limited-service group. The move marks a change for the privately -held Carlson Hotels Worldwide, which until now had operated each of its hotel chains separately. Jay Witzel, president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, announced the new structure earlier this month, noting the change was to create a more simplified brand leadership and structure that provides enhanced support for all of the company’s five brands—Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, and Park Inn hotels. New leadership was also announced to support the structure. Bjorn Gullaksen was appointed executive vp, full-service hotels for Carlson Hotels Worldwide, where he will oversee the development of Radisson Hotels and Park Plaza Hotels. Formerly the head of Radisson, Gullaksen is a hospitality veteran with more than 20 years of experience. Nancy Johnson, formerly the brand leader for Country Inns & Suites, expands her responsibilities to include Park Inn as she assumes the role of executive vp, limited-service hotels for Carlson Hotels Worldwide. Johnson has been with Carlson for 17 years, most of them in development for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. During her tenure, the mid-tier lodging brand grew to more than 322 global locations and earned a 98% guest return rate for the past 11 years. Jetse Pottinga, former leader for the Park brands, has been named regional vp of operations, full-service hotels for Carlson Hotels Worldwide. In his newly expanded role he will be responsible for all full-service hotels in Canada, Mexico and the Western United States. Pottinga, who joined Carlson in 1996, was previously responsible for supporting the companys franchised hotels in the Radisson brand. Just last month, Bill Sipple was named vp of development for the company’s full-service hotels in The Americas. In his new role, Sipple was charged with seeking and securing managed, owned or franchised opportunities for the company’s full-service hotel brands, including Regent International, Radisson Hotels and Park Plaza Hotels. He filled the position left open by the unexpected death in January of Jim Olson, a 30-year Carlson employee, and now reports to Sam Winterbottom, executive vp of development for The Americas.