Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> January 3, 2005
PAUL W. WHETSELL is currently Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of MeriStar Hospitality Corporation and Chairman of the Board of
Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc. MeriStar Hospitality Corporation, one
of the largest hotel REITs in the United States, owns 76 hotels in 22
states and the District of Columbia. Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc.,
is the largest independent hotel management company in the United
States, managing more than 300 hotels with nearly 70,000 rooms. He
founded CapStar Hotel Company in 1987 and served as its chairman,
president and CEO until its August 1998 merger with American General
Hospitality Corporation, which resulted in the creation of MeriStar
Hospitality and MeriStar Hotels & Resorts. In July 2002, MeriStar Hotels
& Resorts and Interstate Hotels Corporation merged, creating Interstate
Hotels & Resorts. Prior to founding CapStar, he served in development
and operating capacities for Lincoln Hotels in Dallas, Texas.
Previously, Mr. Whetsell held various positions with Quality Inns (now
Choice Hotels International), rising to Vice President of franchise in
1979. Mr. Whetsell is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging
Association's governmental affairs committee, as well as its Industry
Real Estate and Financing Advisory Council. Mr. Whetsell also is active
with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, having
served on its board of governors and executive committee. He is a member
of the Urban Land Institute and the Travel Business Roundtable. He is
active with the local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation chapter and serves on
its governing council. Mr. Whetsell graduated from Davidson College in
1972. Profile
Mr. Whetsell: MeriStar is one of the largest lodging REITs in the
industry. Today we own 76 hotels throughout the US. Our hotels are
primarily upscale, first-class,
