Best Western Hotels & Resorts has hired a man with extensive ownership experience to become chairman of the board, while also naming a vice-chairman and secretary-treasurer.

One of the biggest names in hospitality has strengthened its leadership team.

An impressive track record

The board of directors of Best Western Hotels & Resorts has elected John L Kelly as chairman of the board for 2022. Kelly, who previously served as vice chairman of the board, brings a wealth of hospitality experience and 28 years of Best Western ownership to this new role.

“I’m pleased to announce John Kelly as Best Western’s new chairman of the board,” said Best Western Hotels & Resorts president and CEO Larry Cuculic. “John has been a trusted member of our organisation for close to three decades and I believe he will deliver tremendous value as we embark on a new chapter for our organisation.

“Our future together is ours to make, and I look forward to working alongside John and his colleagues on the board of directors as we continue to grow the Best Western brand, deliver industry-leading customer care to our guests, and drive superior revenue to our hoteliers.”

The board of directors has also elected Danny Lafayette as vice-chairman and Phil Payne as secretary-treasurer. Moreover, Viral (Victor) Patel and Mahmood (Mike) Merchant recently joined the board as directors for District III and District VI respectively.

A strong advocate for Best Western

Kelly is the owner and operator of Best Western Plus Yukon in Oklahoma. This property has earned numerous accolades over the years and consistently achieves high quality assurance scores.

Throughout his years of ownership, Kelly has held a number of leadership roles at the brand and won the All-Star Governor Award in both 2007 and 2011. He previously served as member and chairman of the Best Western Reservation and Technical Committee and was a representative on the Membership Development Committee.

Kelly was first elected to the board of directors in 2016, representing hotel owners in District V, which encompasses Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Away from Best Western, he has served on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, the State of Oklahoma Tourism Advisory Committee, the El Reno Airpark Authority, the El Reno Visitors and Tourism Advisory Committee, and was elected to El Reno City Council.

“It is a privilege to be elected as the chairman of the board for Best Western Hotels & Resorts,” he said. “My membership with this remarkable organisation has been a point of pride throughout my career and I am honoured to serve in this leadership role on behalf of our family of hoteliers.

“Our organisation has shown tremendous strength throughout the pandemic, and with the hope of recovery on the horizon, I look forward to working with my fellow directors to help lead our family into a brighter future. I believe the best is yet to come for Best Western Hotels & Resorts.”

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