Larry Cuculic

BWH Hotel Group’s board of directors has chosen Larry Cuculic to succeed David Kong as the company’s next president and CEO, one of the most powerful jobs in hospitality.

The group behind Best Western Hotels & Resorts, WorldHotels Collection and SureStay Hotel Group has made a key appointment.

A time of company growth

Larry Cuculic will step up to the role of BWH Hotel Group president and CEO on 1 December 2021, after 12 years serving the company as senior vice president and general counsel. Under the leadership of outgoing president and CEO David Kong, the hospitality company has grown from one to a staggering 18 brands, spanning everything from the economy to the luxury segment.

Ishwar Naran, board chairman for BWH Hotel Group, said: “Together with my fellow board of directors I have great confidence in our decision to appoint Larry our new president and CEO.

“Larry brings tremendous experience from his prior roles, military background and longstanding position within our organisation. Larry is a trusted and decisive leader whose collaborative and strategic approach will undoubtedly lead the company to even stronger financial success, driving positive growth for our hoteliers.”

Kong added: “He is conversant in many areas of our company and is well-liked and respected throughout the organisation. Larry is the ideal candidate for the role of president and CEO.

“He is the right person to lead our organisation through the recovery phase of the pandemic and to capitalise on new opportunities ahead. I am confident that together with our strong senior executive team, Larry will drive even more success for BWH Hotel Group and our hoteliers in the years ahead.”

Ushering in a new chapter

Before joining BWH Hotel Group, Cuculic served as senior vice president general counsel and corporate secretary for Wabash National Corporation, and prior to that, as vice president legal and corporate secretary for American Commercial Lines and as a partner in the law firm Gambs, Mucker & Bauman. With the US Army, Cuculic served as a Judge Advocate General’s Corps officer across a number of legal positions, including military judge.

He said: “It is a true honour to be selected as the next president and CEO of BWH Hotel Group by our esteemed board of directors. During my tenure with the organisation I have had the great privilege of working alongside David Kong and witnessing the remarkable impact he has made on our company and the industry as a whole.

“I can only hope to live up to the legacy David is leaving behind and I am committed to ensuring the long-term success of our members and our organisation. I am fortunate to have the support of our board and one of the most successful senior executive teams in the industry. I am excited and look forward to working together with our board, our members, my colleagues and our corporate associates to usher BWH Hotel Group into its next chapter.”

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