RAMADA TORRANCE - Key Persons


Bruce B. Churchill

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Audit Committee
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Compensation Committee
  • Member of Our Board of Directors
Bruce B. Churchill serves as a member of our Board of Directors. From August 2014 to April 2017, Mr. Churchill served on the board of directors of Computer Sciences Corporation. From January 2004 to August 2015, Mr. Churchill served as President of DIRECTV Latin America and from January 2004 to March 2005, Mr. Churchill served as Chief Financial Officer of DIRECTV. From January 1996 to July 2003, Mr. Churchill served as President and Chief Operating Officer for STAR TV. Prior to joining STAR TV, Mr. Churchill served in senior positions for Fox Television and Paramount Pictures.

Chip Ohlsson

Job Titles:
  • Chief Development Officer
Chip serves as our Chief Development Officer, overseeing growth and development of the company's brands across North America. Prior to the spin-off of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in 2018, he served as Chief Development Officer, Wyndham Hotel Group. A veteran of the hospitality industry with an extensive background in hotel financing and portfolio management, he joined Wyndham after serving more than 20 years in senior leadership roles with organizations like Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and Cendant Corporation.

Dimitris Manikis

Job Titles:
  • President, Europe, Middle East, Eurasia
  • President, Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa
Dimitris serves as our President, Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA), and is responsible for the development of all Wyndham brands in the region while maximizing the performance of both franchised and managed hotels. Prior to the spin-off of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in 2018, Dimitris served as President and Managing Director, EMEA for Wyndham Hotel Group. Prior to joining Wyndham, he served 27 years with RCI in a number of increasingly senior roles, including Vice President, Business Development, EMEA and Managing Director, South Africa.

Geoffrey A. Ballotti - CEO, President

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Member of the Leadership Team
  • President
  • President and Chief Executive Officer and a Member
  • President and Chief Executive Officer and Member of Our Board of Directors
Geoff serves as a Past Chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Board. He previously served as Chairman of the U.S. Travel Association and on the Executive Committee of the American Resort & Development Association. He also served on the board of directors for Christel House International, a not-for-profit organization that supports impoverished children throughout the world. Geoffrey A. Ballotti serves as President and Chief Executive Officer and member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Ballotti has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham Hotel Group since March 2014. From March 2008 to March 2014, Geoff served as Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham Destination Network. From October 2003 to March 2008, Geoff was President of North America Division of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. From 1989 to 2003, Geoff held leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide including President of Starwood North America, Executive Vice President, Operations, Senior Vice President, Southern Europe and Managing Director, Ciga Spa, Italy. Prior to joining Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Geoff was a Banking Officer in the Commercial Real Estate Group at the Bank of New England. Geoff serves as Immediate Past Chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Board. He previously served as Chairman of the U.S. Travel Association and on the Executive Committee of the American Resort & Development Association. He also served on the board of directors for Christel House International, a not-for-profit organization that supports impoverished children throughout the world.

Gustavo Viescas

Job Titles:
  • President, Latin America
  • President, Latin America and the
  • President, Latin America and the Caribbean
Gustavo serves as our President, Latin America and the Caribbean, and is responsible for the development of all Wyndham brands in the region while maximizing the performance of both franchised and managed hotels. A 25-year Wyndham veteran, he most recently served as Senior Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean, overseeing Operations for the region. In that role, he was instrumental in launching two of Wyndham's newest brands-Wyndham Alltra and Registry Collection Hotels-and helping close industry-leading deals with strategic development partners like Playa Hotels & Resorts and Palladium Hotel Group.

Howard Johnson

For guests looking for dependable accommodations, Howard Johnson delivers a warm, friendly experience every visit-just like they've been doing for decades.

James E. Buckman

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Audit Committee
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Compensation Committee
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Lead Director of Our Board of Directors
  • Member of Our Board of Directors
James E. Buckman serves as the Lead Director of our Board of Directors. Mr. Buckman previously served as a director of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation since 2006 and as its lead director from March 2010 to May 2018. Mr. Buckman also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Wyndham Destinations. From May 2007 to January 2012, Mr. Buckman served as Vice Chairman of York Capital Management, a hedge fund management company headquartered in New York City. From May 2010 to January 2012, Mr. Buckman also served as General Counsel of York Capital Management and from January 2007 to May 2007 he served as a Senior Consultant to York Capital Management. Mr. Buckman was General Counsel and a director of Cendant Corporation from December 1997 to August 2006, a Vice Chairman of Cendant Corporation from November 1998 to August 2006 and a Senior Executive Vice President of Cendant Corporation from December 1997 to November 1998. Mr. Buckman was Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of HFS Incorporated from May 1997 to December 1997, a director of HFS from June 1994 to December 1997 and Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of HFS from February 1992 to May 1997.

Joon Aun Ooi

Job Titles:
  • President, Asia Pacific
Joon Aun serves as our President, Asia Pacific and is responsible for the development of all Wyndham brands in the region while maximizing the performance of both franchised and managed hotels. Prior to the spin-off of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in 2018, he served as President and Managing Director, South East Asia & Pacific Rim, Wyndham Hotel Group and before that, Vice President, Openings and Operations, Greater China. Before joining Wyndham, Joon Aun served 10 years in various leadership roles with Hilton Worldwide and InterContinental Hotels Group. Earlier in his career he was a Principal at Boston Consulting Group.

Krishna Paliwal

Job Titles:
  • President, La Quinta by Wyndham and Head of Architecture, Design and Construction
Krishna serves as our Head of Architecture, Design and Construction and also as President of La Quinta by Wyndham, our award-winning upper midscale hotel brand. Prior to Wyndham's acquisition of the brand in 2018, Krishna served 11 years in progressive leadership roles for La Quinta, most recently as Senior Vice President, Design and Development.

Lisa Borromeo - CMO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Marketing Officer
  • Member of the Leadership Team
Lisa serves as our Chief Marketing Officer, championing the world's most iconic hotel brands and leading the company's revenue generation strategy. Prior to the spin-off of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Lisa served as Senior Vice President, Global Brands for Wyndham Hotel Group. Lisa joined the company in 2015 as vice president, Brand Marketing. Prior to joining Wyndham, Lisa served in various marketing positions at JetBlue Airways, and earlier in her career, she worked in event management in professional tennis.

Matt Capuzzi

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

Michele Allen - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Member of the Leadership Team
Michele serves as our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to this role, Michele served as our Executive Vice President and Treasurer, overseeing capital markets activity, global cash management, risk management and business intelligence. Before our spin-off from Wyndham Worldwide, Michele was the Senior Vice President of Finance for Wyndham Worldwide where she had responsibility for enterprise-wide budgeting, forecasting, capital allocation, financial analysis and strategy. She has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and served in varied financial leadership positions of increasing responsibility with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and its predecessors. Michele began her career as an independent auditor with Deloitte where she earned a CPA.

Monica Melancon

Job Titles:
  • Chief Human Resource Officer
Monica serves as our Chief Human Resource Officer, leading a wide range of human resources, corporate social responsibility, and operations functions across our global enterprise. Prior to her current role, Monica served as Group Vice President, Human Resources, overseeing human resources for all of Wyndham's managed hotels in North America. She joined Wyndham in 2018, following our acquisition of La Quinta, where she previously served as Vice President, Employee Relations. Prior to La Quinta, Monica spent 15 years with Target, serving in a number of progressive, senior human resources roles.

Mukul V. Deoras

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Audit Committee
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Corporate Governance Committee
  • Member of Our Board of Directors
  • President, Asia Pacific Division of Colgate - Palmolive Company
Mukul V. Deoras serves as a member of our Board of Directors. Since September 2018, Mr. Deoras has served as President, Asia Pacific Division of Colgate-Palmolive Company and as Chairman of Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd. From August 2015 to September 2018, Mr. Deoras served as Chief Marketing Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company. From February 2012 to July 2015, Mr. Deoras served as President, Asia Division of Colgate-Palmolive. From January 2010 to January 2012, Mr. Deoras served as Managing Director for Colgate-Palmolive (India). From September 2004 to January 2010, Mr. Deoras served in additional positions of increasing responsibility in Marketing for Colgate-Palmolive. Prior to joining Colgate-Palmolive, Mr. Deoras held a series of senior roles in marketing and sales at Hindustan Unilever Limited.

Myra J. Biblowit - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Compensation Committee
  • Member of the Corporate Governance Committee
  • Member of Our Board of Directors
Myra J. Biblowit serves as a member of our Board of Directors. Ms. Biblowit previously served as a director of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation since July 2006. Since April 2001, Ms. Biblowit has served as President of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. From July 1997 to March 2001, she served as Vice Dean for External Affairs for the New York University School of Medicine and Senior Vice President of the Mount Sinai-NYU Health System. From June 1991 to June 1997, Ms. Biblowit was Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Capital Campaign for the American Museum of Natural History. Ms. Biblowit also served as a director of Cendant from April 2000 to August 2006.

Paul Cash - Chief Legal Officer

Job Titles:
  • General Counsel
  • Member of the Leadership Team
Paul serves as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. First joining Wyndham in 2005, Paul served as General Counsel for Wyndham Destination Network for eight years and then served as Executive Vice President & General Counsel for Wyndham Hotel Group. Prior to joining Wyndham, Paul was a Partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions, International and Entertainment and New Media practice groups of Alston & Bird and earlier in his career was an Associate at Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster in Germany.

Pauline D.E. Richards

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Audit Committee
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Corporate Governance Committee
  • Member of Our Board of Directors
Pauline D.E. Richards serves as a member of our Board of Directors. Ms. Richards previously served as a director of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation since July 2006. From July 2008 to December 2019, Ms. Richards served as Chief Operating Officer of Trebuchet Group Holdings Limited (formerly Armour Group Holdings Limited), an investment management company. From November 2003 to July 2008, Ms. Richards served as Director of Development at the Saltus Grammar School, the largest private school in Bermuda. From January 2001 to March 2003, Ms. Richards served as Chief Financial Officer of Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch (Bermuda) Limited in Bermuda, a trust company business. From January 1999 to December 2000, she was Treasurer of Gulfstream Financial Limited, a stock brokerage company. From January 1999 to June 1999, Ms. Richards served as a consultant to Aon Group of Companies, Bermuda, an insurance brokerage company, after serving in senior positions from 1988 through 1998 including Controller, Senior Vice President and Group Financial Controller and Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Richards has served as a director of Apollo Global Management, LLC since March 2011 and Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd. since December 2013. Ms. Richards also served as a director of Cendant Corporation from March 2003 to August 2006.

Per Diem

Job Titles:
  • Government

Ronald L. Nelson

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Audit Committee
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Corporate Governance Committee
Ronald L. Nelson has served as a Director since August 2019. Since July 2008, he has also served as a director of Hanesbrands, Inc. and held the roles of Lead Director since January 2015 and Non-Executive Chairman since April 2019. Mr. Nelson has also served as a director of Viacom, Inc. since August 2016. Previously, Mr. Nelson served as Executive Chairman of the Board of Avis Budget Group from December 2015 to May 2018 and as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from August 2006 to December 2015. He also served as Avis' Chief Operating Officer from June 2010 to October 2015. From April 2003 to August 2006, Mr. Nelson served as Chief Financial Officer and President of Cendant Corporation and served as a member of its board during that same period. From November 1994 to March 2003, Mr. Nelson served as Co-Chief Operating Officer of DreamWorks SKG. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at Paramount Communications, Inc. from November 1987 to March 1994 and served as a director from June 1991 to March 1994. He also served as a director of Convergys Corporation from August 2008 to October 2016, serving in the role of Lead Director from April 2013 to October 2016.

Scott Strickland - CIO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Information Officer
Scott serves as our Chief Information Officer. Prior to the spin-off of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, he served as Chief Information Officer for Wyndham Hotel Group, responsible for enhancing and implementing our technology strategy, building the strength of our IT organization and leading day-to-day execution by ensuring alignment with strategic business direction. Prior to joining Wyndham, Scott was the Chief Information Officer at Denon Marantz Electronics; executive director, Information Technology at Nissan North America; and earlier in his career held the position of Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Information Services with Stanley Black & Decker.

Shilpan Patel - EVP

Job Titles:
  • Executive Vice President
  • Executive Vice President, North America Franchise Operations
  • Executive Vice President, North America Operations
Shilpan serves as our Executive Vice President, North America Operations, overseeing Franchise Operations, Brand Operations, Franchise Services and Managed Operations. A 20-year veteran of the Company, he previously served as Senior Vice President, Franchise Services, where he was responsible for leading Wyndham's Contract Administration and Relicensing efforts and drove industry-leading retention rates for the Company's economy hotel brands.

Stephen P. Holmes - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Board
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Non - Executive Chairman of Our Board of Directors
Stephen P. Holmes serves as Non-Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors, after previously serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham Worldwide since July 2006. With the spin-off of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts from Wyndham Worldwide, Mr. Holmes also currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wyndham Destinations. Prior to the creation of Wyndham Worldwide, Mr. Holmes served in various leadership positions in the hospitality and financial services industries, including Vice Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of Cendant Corporation, where he oversaw Cendant's hotel franchise, vehicle rental, timeshare development, timeshare exchange and vacation rental business. Mr. Holmes was also Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of HFS, and Managing Director of The Blackstone Group. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant with Deloitte and Touche LLP.