PARSIPPANY, NJ—Wyndham Worldwide has appointed Geoff Ballotti to succeed Wyndham Hotel Group president and CEO Eric Danziger, who is leaving the company to pursue personal interests, effective March 28.
Ballotti was most recently president and CEO of the global hospitality company’s timeshare exchange and vacation rental division, which he joined in 2008. Prior to joining Wyndham Worldwide, Ballotti spent 20 years in various leadership positions at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. During that time he served as president of the North America division, where he led a portfolio of 450 hotels.
“During the past five years, and through some very challenging global economic conditions, Eric provided leadership that strengthened Wyndham Hotel Group’s service to its franchisees, expanded its hotel management offerings, and significantly grew its global footprint,” stated Stephen Holmes, chairman and CEO, Wyndham Worldwide.
“While the past six years growing RCI and Wyndham’s vacation rental Brands have been some of the most exciting years of my career, I’m humbled, honored and thrilled to be asked by our ceo and Chairman to pick up where Eric left off and return to the industry I so love,” said Ballotti. “I look forward to continuing to help grow Wyndham’s footprint globally, increase marketing effectiveness and scale, deliver value- added operational support for our owners and franchisees and drive Wyndham’s ‘Count-on-Me’ service culture into every corner of the world’s largest hotel property network
Following Ballotti’s transition to Wyndham Hotel Group, Gail Mandel, CFO of Wyndham Exchange & Rentals, will assume additional responsibilities as COO for the division, reporting to Holmes.