Corporate Housing Provider Announces Expanded Global Leadership
LOS ANGELES – 2012-12-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — Oakwood Worldwide®, the global leader in furnished and serviced apartments, is pleased to announce organizational changes designed to offer improved in-region expertise and deliver customized solutions that meet the needs of its customers in the rapidly evolving global business environment. The new model combines the company’s expert knowledge of local markets with its global leadership in the corporate housing and serviced apartment industry.
“The needs of our clients are unique and often complex,” said Ric Villarreal, president for Oakwood Worldwide. “This restructuring encompasses every aspect of our customer relationship – all aligned so that we offer relevant solutions to our customer’s global challenges and optimize our ability to evolve with changing market dynamics.”
Oakwood Worldwide’s commitment to this realignment has resulted in the development of two newly-created managing director positions accountable for regional leadership, accelerating sales growth, increasing market share and expanding the company’s operational footprint. Both in-region positions will report to Jill Chapman, senior vice president of sales and marketing, and are effective January 1, 2013.
Former director of sales for Oakwood Worldwide’s Asia Pacific region, Craig Ryan, has been promoted to managing director for APAC. Ryan has responsibility for regional and global sales strategy, managing the supply chain, account management, call center operations and guest services for the region. In addition, Craig will lead sales strategy for the Oakwood branded buildings within the APAC region. Craig joined the company in 2011, supporting strategic sales efforts for its Europe, Middle East and Africa region before relocating to Singapore to take on his current role. Prior to joining Oakwood Worldwide, he held a number of sales, client service and supplier management positions with BridgeStreet® and other leading hospitality companies. During his career Ryan has been recognized with many prestigious awards including Rookie of the Year, Market of the Year and Brand Ambassador.
Former senior district manager for the Boston area, Debbie Lundon, has been promoted to managing director for Oakwood Worldwide’s EMEA region. Lundon will be responsible for leading its regional and global sales strategy, managing the supply chain, account management, call center operations, inventory management and guest services for the region. Lundon joined the company in 1987 as a sales representative and has held a number of sales and operations positions throughout her career there. Lundon is winner of several Oakwood Worldwide awards including: President’s Club, Platinum Circle of Excellence and District Office of the Year President’s Award. She will be relocating to London for this role.
“We understand as the global environment and our customer needs continue to evolve, we needed to look at our structure and position ourselves for the future,” said Chapman. “Oakwood Worldwide’s answer is a global corporate housing provider who delivers regional and global expertise, end-to-end solutions and increased flexibility in the way we service our customers.”
View all Oakwood Worldwide press releases.
Oakwood Worldwide®, based in Los Angeles, Calif., is the leading provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions through its two well-known brands, Oakwood® and ExecuStay®. Both brands provide move-in-ready furnished housing designed to meet the needs of business travelers on long- and short-term assignments. Oakwood® has access to the largest selection of housing options and a presence in all 50 United States and more than 55 countries. ExecuStay is the preferred corporate housing partner of Marriott® International and is the only corporate housing brand where guests can earn Marriott Rewards® points for stays at any ExecuStay location in the U.S. For more information, please visit www.oakwood.com and www.execustay.com.
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Sharron Saunders
GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS LEADER
direct: 240.720.3003
mobile:310.500.5737
ssaunders@oakwood.com