They will also support vice presidents of development: Mike Cowell, vice president of development for the Southwest; and Bill Speidel, senior vice president of development, Southeast and Caribbean, respectively.

Cowell and Speidel oversee the development and growth of Radisson managed and franchised hotels in their respective regions. T. Peter Blyth, executive vice president of development for Radisson Hotels & Resorts, says "more director positions will soonbe added to assist the development team's vice presidents."

Prior to joining the development team, Laethem has spent 12 years in the hospitality industry, last serving as regional director of business development for Lodgian Inc., where she handled meetings and convention bookings for a base clientele. Prior to joining Radisson Patel, a seven-year industry veteran, was Cendant Corp.'s director of franchise sales and development for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and easternTennessee.