IRVING, Texas, Nov. 13, 2015 — La Quinta Holdings Inc. ("La Quinta" or the "Company") (NYSE: LQ) today announced the appointment of Jim Abrahamson, Chief Executive Officer of Interstate Hotels and Resorts, to its Board of Directors, effective November 12, 2015.
"Jim is an excellent addition to our Board of Directors," said Keith A. Cline, Interim President & Chief Executive Officer of La Quinta. "He brings a wide variety of directly relevant experience related to hospitality, hotel management and franchise development. Jim's advice and guidance will be extremely constructive and immediately helpful as we continue to develop our strategy to accelerate La Quinta's growth longer term."
Mr. Abrahamson, 60, is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Interstate Hotels and Resorts. Prior to joining Interstate in 2011, Mr. Abrahamson held senior leadership positions with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Hyatt Corporation, Marcus Corporation and Hilton Worldwide. At IHG, where he served from 2009 to 2011, he was President of the Americas division, and at Hyatt, which he joined in 2004, he was Head of Development for the Americas division. At Marcus, where he served from 2000 to 2004, he led the Baymont Inns and Suites and Woodfield Suites hotels division consisting of approximately 200 properties, both owned and franchised. At Hilton, where he served from 1988 to 2000, Mr. Abrahamson oversaw the Americas region franchise and management contract development for all Hilton brands, and he launched the Hilton Garden Inn brand.
Mr. Abrahamson currently serves as national board chair of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and served as board chair of the U.S. Travel Association in 2013 and 2014. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.
