Paul S. Kirwin, President and CEO since January 2010, is a hospitality and travel veteran with over 30 years of global leadership experience with major brands, including Hyatt, Regent, Radisson, Country Inns and Suites, AmericInn, TGI Friday’s, Houlihan’s, Perkins and Carlson Wagon-Lit Travel.

Prior to this position, Paul served as President and COO from May 2009 to December 2009. Previously, Paul spent 25 years with Carlson, growing from hotel manager to leadership responsibility for several regional theatres, including President, Carlson Asia Pacific and President, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Americas. Along the way he spent 13 years with Country Inns & Suites By Carlson in various senior operational positions, including five as president, leading the overall business operations and expansion of this industry leading, mid-tier hotel brand. Prior to joining Carlson, Paul spent five years in management roles with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in Washington, DC, Hilton Head, SC, Orlando, FL, and Atlanta, GA.

Paul graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree.

 
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Brian J. Schwen has served as Chief Financial Officer since January 2002 and as Controller from August 2001 to December 2001.

Prior to joining the company in 2001, Brian was Vice President/Chief Financial Officer for Rapp Collins Worldwide—Minneapolis from December 1999 to August 2001. From September 1991 through December 1999, Brian held various positions including Manager and Senior Manager of KPMG, LLP.

Brian has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Accounting from the University of Minnesota.

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Mark S. Nicpon has served as Vice President of Marketing and Distribution since February 2011 and has been the Chief Information Officer since April 2002.

Prior to joining the company in 2002, Mark was the Director of Business Development for ORBIT Systems from October 2001 to April 2002.  From January 1998 through October 2001, Mark served as Director of Business Development and Business Consultant for Wizmo, Inc., and held positions of Technical Manager, Director of Manufacturing and Vice President of Manufacturing for LecTec Corporation from September 1988 to January 1998.

Mark has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.

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Ron Burgett, Executive Vice President of Development since December 2009, is a hotel real estate investment, management, and franchise systems veteran with over 20 years of development and operations experience.

Prior to joining the company, Ron served as Founder and President of Indianapolis-based Hospitality Sales Group, a real estate brokerage and hospitality consulting firm with expanded services in site selection, hotel evaluation, and franchise negotiation.
Preceding Hospitality Sales Group, Ron spent 13 years with Choice Hotels International^®, managing in progressive roles within the organization from operations to sales, culminating his tenure as the National Vice President of Development.

Ron received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and received his Certified Hotel Administration (CHA) designation in 1990. 

 
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Mark A. Clarey has served as the Vice President of Construction, Design & Purchasing since September 1997. Mark is an accomplished construction manager with broad construction and development experience, which includes the lodging industry.

Prior to joining the company in 1997, Mark managed projects for Weis Builders of Minneapolis, Minnesota between January and August of 1997, the Musicland Group, Inc. from 1994 through January 1997, Nelson Brothers Construction during 1993 and 1994 and Teri Construction between 1982 and 1992.

 
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Jeannine M. Momchilovich has served as the Vice President of Design Services since March 2004.  Prior to this position, Jeannine had been the Director of Design Services since March 1999, and Staff Designer from March 1996 through March 1999. 

Prior to joining the company in 1996, Jeannine was a Project Interior Designer with an interior design firm from June 1994 through March 1996, and as an Interior Designer with an architectural firm from June 1991 through May 1994. 

Jeannine has a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design from the University of Minnesota.

 
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Nasir Raja has served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Organizational Development since February 2011.  Prior to this, Nasir was Vice President of Organizational Development and Training since February 2010.

Nasir has been consulting and working in the travel and hospitality industry for 15 years for brands like Country Inns & Suites, Radisson, Regent, Park Inn, TGI Friday’s, Pick Up Stix and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Prior to joining the company, Nasir was a management consultant specializing in advising clients to develop strategies in response to external and internal challenges. He spent 10 years at Carlson Companies leading a variety of corporate functions, including finance, corporate planning, business improvement, change management and most recently was Global Vice President, Planning at Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

Nasir has a B.S and an M.B.A. in Finance.