Coralville, Iowa – Hawkeye Hotels, a vertically integrated hospitality company for premium brands, select-service and lifestyle hotels across the United States announced today that it has promoted Tony Cruz to the company’s newly created role of Chief Operating Officer.

Cruz has dedicated the last decade towards building the foundation at Hawkeye Hotels and exemplifies key characteristics of what the company stands for including excellence, engagement, honor and growth. Through Cruz’s leadership, he has instilled these pillars into the company culture and continues to drive these initiatives with persistence and integrity.

Cruz began his hospitality career as a housekeeper at the Wyndham Garden in Brookfield, WI and with Hawkeye as a General Manager overseeing the Courtyard in Brown Deer, Wisconsin before moving into a corporate position. He quickly climbed the ranks and showed meaningful improvement on nearly every measurable performance metric, which in turn ensured Hawkeye Hotel’s viability through the tough economic times the country has seen over the last few years. Cruz most recently served as Vice President of Operations at Hawkeye Hotels.

“Tony has worked tirelessly over the last several years, leading operations efforts and putting teams in place for over 25 acquisitions and 30 new hotel openings”, said Ravi Patel, President of Hawkeye Hotels. “Tony’s vision, honor, and work ethic have made us all better, and he most certainly deserves this promotion”

“My team and I look forward to continuing to make Hawkeye Hotels a premier hospitality company in the industry through the four pillars we stand on; excellence, engagement, honor and growth”, said Tony Cruz, COO of Hawkeye Hotels. “I am proud to be a part of an organization that has rewarded me and many others by consistently allowing growth opportunities, and having a vision for excellence in everything hospitality”

Founded in 1982 with one roadside hotel in Mena, Arkansas, Hawkeye Hotels has become one of the fastest-growing hospitality companies in the United States. Today, the firm owns and operates over 60 hotels across the country, with an additional 40 under development. Hawkeye Hotels employs over 2,000 staff across its portfolio of hotels and corporate offices. The firm maintains lasting affiliations with leading brands, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Choice.