Wyndham Announces Departure
Of Hotel Group CEO

-- Hotels, 9/3/2008 8:33:00 AM

Wyndham Worldwide late yesterday announced that Steven A. Rudnitsky, president and CEO of the Wyndham Hotel Group business unit, is leaving the company to pursue other interests. A search for a new CEO for the business is under way.

“Steve’s leadership transformed our lodging business from a pure domestic franchise company into a major global franchise and management company through the acquisition of world-class brands, acceleration of international hotel development and the strengthening of our core domestic operations.  I thank him for his many valuable contributions. As we search for his successor, we will be looking for a new leader who can build on this solid and stable business platform,” commented Stephen P. Holmes, chairman and CEO of Wyndham Worldwide.

Rudnitsky came to Wyndham in 2002 and was given responsibility for the operation, growth, performance and strategic direction of Wyndham Hotel Group, representing more than 6,500 hotels and 550,000 rooms in 59 countries under the Wyndham®, Ramada®, Super 8®, Days Inn®, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Wingate by Wyndham® and four other brands.

His achievements include the acquisition and integration of the mid-priced Baymont brand in 2006; upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand in 2005; and the global portfolio of Ramada International in 2004. He also was responsible for the launch and growth of the TripRewards® loyalty program, which now has 7 million members.

In concert with the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts acquisition, Rudnitsky established a management subsidiary in 2005, transforming Wyndham Hotel Group from a pure franchise organization and setting the stage for rapid expansion of its new upscale brand.

Prior to joining the company, Rudnitsky was president of Kraft Foodservice and executive vice president of Kraft Foods Inc., Glenview, Illinois. Before that role, he had served as president of Nabisco Food Service Co.; vice president and general manager, food service, for Pillsbury Bakery & Food Service; and held various positions at PepsiCo Inc.