Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> July 5, 1999
DONALD J. LANDRY, CHA, is Vice Chairman of the board of directors and
Chief Executive Officer of Sunburst Hospitality Corporation, one of the
country's leading hotel real estate and management companies with an
ownership portfolio of 94 hotels open and under development representing
over 12,000 rooms in 28 states. A 29-year veteran of the lodging
industry, Mr. Landry formerly served as president and chief operating
officer of Choice Hotels International. During his tenure at Choice, Mr.
Landry launched MainStay Suites, the first mid-price franchise extended
stay product, and Choice Picks Food Court, the industry's first
packaged, modular fast food court featuring national brand names. Prior
to his position with Choice, Mr. Landry served as president of the hotel
division of Manor Care, Inc. Mr. Landry also served as chief operating
officer of Richfield Hotel Management Inc. where he oversaw the
operations of 171 hotels, and as president of MHM, a hotel management
company that was acquired by Richfield in 1991. Mr. Landry began his
hospitality career with Sonesta Hotels and worked while studying at the
University of New Orleans. He holds a bachelor of science degree in
management science. Mr. Landry is a frequent lecturer at colleges and
universities on the subject of hotel management and has been designated
a certified hotel administrator by the American Hotel & Motel
Association. Mr. Landry is a board member of the Educational Institute
of the American Hotel & Motel Association, 1999 University of New
Orleans Alumni of the Year, and a past board chairman of the
International Council of Hotel Motel Management Companies. He is also a
former board member of Friendly Hotels PLC, Choice Hotels Canada, the
Texas Hotel Association and was president of the Dallas Hotel
Association. Profile
the company's history to set the stage for the readers?
Mr. Landry: The overview's easy, the history's more
