2007 Hotelier Of The World Candidate: Tom Hewitt, Interstate

Tom Hewitt has been CEO and director since the company was formed in July 2002, following the merger of Interstate Hotels Corp. and MeriStar Hotels & Resorts.

By Staff -- HOTELS Magazine, 4/1/2007

Tom Hewitt has been CEO and director since the company was formed in July 2002, following
the merger of Interstate Hotels Corp. and MeriStar Hotels & Resorts. Prior to the merger, Hewitt served as chairman and CEO of Interstate since March 1999.

During his tenure at Interstate, Hewitt led the spinoff of that company from Wyndham International and helped facilitate the merger with MeriStar. In 2005, Hewitt returned as CEO of Interstate and in two years has overseen a major turnaround at the company, with RevPAR improving more than 20%, earnings increasing over 100% and the stock price growing over 50%.

Previously, Hewitt was president and COO of The Continental Cos., which owned and managed more than 80 hotels. His career included more than 20 years with Sheraton Corp., where he served as North American president and held regional and GM posts at several of its larger hotels, including New Orleans and Boston. While at Sheraton, Hewitt received its three most prestigious awards—the ITT Ring of Quality, Chairman’s Award and GM of the Year award.

Hewitt is actively involved in a variety of civic organizations and has served as chairman of the American Hotel Foundation, chairman of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and dean of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s President’s Academy