Red Lion Hotels Corporation has named Greg Mount president and CEO effective January 27. Mount will succeed James P. Evans, who has served as interim president and CEO since August 2013. Evans will remain a member of the company’s Board of Directors.
Mount brings more than 25 years of experience to Red Lion and prior to joining the company served as president of Richfield Hospitality, Sceptre Hospitality and Richfield Hospitality China. Previously, he held senior roles at Sage Hospitality, as well as Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, where he led the full-service division responsible for developing franchises and management contracts for the Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien, and Luxury Collection brands in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Before joining Starwood, Mount held senior operating positions at Interstate Hotels and Marriott International.
“Greg has a proven track record of successfully increasing the brand value, visibility and geographic footprint of a number of hotel chains, and we are confident that he is the right leader to grow Red Lion,” said Mel Keating, chairman of the board. “Greg’s expertise will allow him to continue and accelerate the multi-pronged go-forward strategy focused on refining our owned hotel portfolio, increasing our franchising footprint and pursuing development opportunities in major Western U.S. markets. Over the last few years Red Lion has successfully strengthened its balance sheet by completing strategic asset sales and paying down debt, while restructuring operations to increase efficiencies. Red Lion now has the financial flexibility to capitalize on significant opportunities for our unique platform and we are confident that Greg’s experience in developing and growing hospitality brands will be immediately additive to Red Lion."
Said Mount: “I am delighted with the opportunity to lead Red Lion, a great company with a strong brand name and an impressive portfolio of both owned-and-operated and franchised properties across the Western U.S. As Red Lion enters its next stage of growth, we are well positioned to expand franchising and development in our core markets while providing guests with the best locally-inspired experience possible. I look forward to working closely with the Board, senior leadership team and Red Lion’s dedicated and hard-working employees to drive improved operating results and create significant value for all of our shareholders.”
As of January 13, 2014, Red Lion has 55 hotels systemwide.
