Post 200: Top D.C.-Area Businesses

Choice Hotels International / CHH

About Choice Hotels International

10750 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Md. 20901
www.choicehotels.com | 301-592-5000 | Founded: 1968

Industry: Hospitality And Travel | Category: Public Companies

Choice's profit jumped 29 percent last year on revenue increases of about 14 percent. But analysts said the company's growth may be showing signs of slowing. They pointed to Choice's revenue-per-available-room figure, a key measure for growth in the industry. In the fourth quarter, for instance, that figure grew 3.7 percent for Choice, well below other hotel chains such as Marriott that are more easily able to raise rates because they serve customers who are less price-sensitive. Analysts had been expecting Choice's revenue-per-available-room figure to grow about 5 percent for the fourth quarter.
Choice reorganized its management to focus on brand/category management groups that will individually focus on the company's core areas: economy market, mid-market, full service, and upscale and extended stay. The change in management structure led to the departure of several high-level executives early this year, including Joseph M. Squeri, president and chief operating officer. Wayne Wielgus, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, also left, as did Michael DeSantis, senior vice president and senior strategic adviser.

Chairman: Stewart Bainum Jr.

President and CEO: Stephen P. Joyce

2006 Financial Data

Revenues: $544,662,000 | Net Income: $112,787,000
Asssets: $303,309,000 | Earnings Per Share: $1.68
Stockholder Equity: $-62,380,000 | Annual Dividend: $0.56
Total employees: 1,929 | Local employees: 426

Company Leadership

Charles A. Ledsinger Vice chairman and CEO
Joseph M. Squeri Former President and COO
Wayne Wielgus Former EVP and chief marketing officer
Thomas Mirgon SVP, Human Resources and Administration

Source: Compensation data provided by Equilar, Inc..

Charles A. Ledsinger
Vice chairman and CEO
$5,528,506
Salary: $749,615
Joseph M. Squeri
Former President and COO
$2,011,909
Salary: $431,500
Wayne Wielgus
Former EVP and chief marketing officer
$1,354,858
Salary: $371,500
Thomas Mirgon
SVP, Human Resources and Administration
$1,012,818
Salary: $315,308

Did You Know

Choice Hotels International Inc. franchises mostly limited-service hotels and motels under 10 brand names, including Comfort Inn, Quality, Clarion, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn. Its franchisees, which run the hotels and pay Choice a fee, operate 5,300 hotels around the world with more than 435,000 rooms.

Meet the CEO

Stephen P. Joyce, President and CEO of Choice Hotels International

Stephen P. Joyce
Meet Stephen Joyce, president and future CEO of Choice Hotels International.

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