McInerney Gets Nod Of Approval For New Spot At AH&LA

WASHINGTON, D.C.— After four months of searching for a new leader, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) announced that Joe McInerney, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) would take on the role of president/CEO, effective on or before October 15. McInerney, 61, who has been involved in the lodging industry for more than 20 years, succeeds Bill Fisher, who is relocating to the Orlando, FL area to become Darden Chair for the Rosen School of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. When asked yesterday during a conference call what he would focus on in his new position at the AH&LA, McInerney declined to comment, saying he needed a short period of time to get up to speed on the association and its pressing issues. However, the announcement was well received within the industry and executives at the AH&LA are excited about the new candidate and his qualifications. “Joe is both a team-builder and a consensus-builder, and can forge coalitions among very diverse constituencies around difficult issues,” said John Russell, AH&LA chairman, who led the nine-person search committee to find Fishers replacement. McInerney has held a variety of positions during his tenure in the hospitality industry. His professional background includes a seven-year stint as president of Sheratons franchise division and a five-year stint as president/CEO of Hawthorn Suites, the company he co-developed with Tom Engel in the mid-1980s. Prior to joining PATA, McInerney served as president/CEO of Travelodge, a Cendant hotel brand, and president/CEO of Forte Hotels Exclusive, Grand and Le Meridien brands. With a strong background at the senior management level, McInerney is expected to do well in his newly named role. His current position at PATA has also given him experience in building awareness and influence in the global travel community. “I can think of no one better in the country for this position than Joe McInerney,” said Greg Plank, president, Suburban Lodges of America, who worked with McInerney from 1971 to 1989, and again from 1991 to 1995. “Ive watched him turn companies around,” said Plank, who also noted “he has incredible common sense and cuts to the core of problems very quickly.” Characteristics used to describe McInerney by some of his peers in the industry include loyal, objective, honest, and supportive. “He allows his people to do their jobs and supports them. The staff at AH&LA is in for a real treat,” said Plank. Fred Schwartz, president of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), which works closely with AH&LA on major issues in the hospitality industry, expressed excitement about McInerneys new role with the AH&LA. “We welcome [McInerney] and look forward to working closely with him. He is a strong people person, and a consummate diplomat and leader. Those ingredients are just what the AH&LA need.” For the time being, McInerney will fufill commitments to both AH&LA and PATA, spending at least one week a month in Washington visiting with AH&LA constituencies and the remainder of his time in Thailand for PATA. His first visit to Washington, D.C. is scheduled for the week of July 23. McInerney plans to move to Washington, D.C. by October, and noted that his first priority will be to “meet with all of the stakeholders, including the officers, staff, ISHAE, state officers, and members, to learn firsthand their feelings on the associations direction and ascertain what needs to be done to make it a better and strong organization.”