JQH Appoints General Managers for Two Hotels in North Carolina

JQH GM Terry Crawford Retires After 45 Years in the Hospitality Industry

John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) names Nancy Obstler, a 25-year hospitality veteran, as the new GM of its 308-suite Embassy Suites Charlotte - Concord/Golf Resort & Spa in Concord, N.C. (Photo: Business Wire)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. & CHARLOTTE, N.C.--()--John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) today announced general manager appointments for two of its upscale hotels in North Carolina. Nancy Obstler, a 25-year hospitality veteran, is the new GM of the 308-suite Embassy Suites Charlotte – Concord/Golf Resort & Spa in Concord, N.C., a position previously held by Terry Crawford. He retires after a stellar 45-year career in the hotel industry. In addition, Paul Papadopulos brings 30 years in lodging to his position as GM of the 275-suite Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel in Charlotte. Springfield, Mo.-based JQH is the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States. JQH’s portfolio has more than 75 hotels in 24 states, including nine hotels in the Carolinas region. The company operates 5.4 million gross square feet of superb meeting and convention space.

“JQH has built a reputation for investing in the development of outstanding talent, like Nancy, Paul and Terry,” said Joe Morrissey, JQH senior vice president of operations. “It’s always rewarding to find key opportunities to magnify highly qualified individuals’ strengths in the nationwide JQH family and to help nurture their growth path.”

JQH New GM Appointments

Obstler joined JQH more than 15 years ago as director of sales for the award-winning Embassy Suites Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center. She was part of the 2006 pre-opening and 2007 opening teams for the Embassy Suites Charlotte – Concord/Golf Resort & Spa, where she served as director of sales for several years, during which time the hotel received numerous performance-based honors. She has also served as general manager of the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, prior to returning to JQH’s Concord property as the new GM. Previous to JQH, Obstler gained experience as a food & beverage director, pastry chef and catering manager in Southeast and Northeast hospitality assignments.

Papadopulos has a proven track record as a leader in sales and marketing management and relationship development. He joined JQH in 2007, most recently serving as corporate director of group sales strategy for the company’s national portfolio. He has also served as JQH’s corporate director of national accounts and as a regional director of sales. His experience ranges from focused service and extended stay to luxury class hotels in North America.

Celebrating a Hospitality Star

To recognize Crawford’s impressive hospitality career spanning more than four decades, a celebration was held recently in his honor. Representatives from JQH, the Embassy Suites Charlotte – Concord/Golf Resort & Spa, the city of Concord, and the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau were in attendance. During his 12 years with JQH, Crawford served as GM for the pre-opening and opening teams for the Embassy Suites Charlotte – Concord/Golf Resort & Spa and also as GM of the company’s impressive Renaissance World Golf Village Resort St. Augustine in Florida. He has built a reputation as an active community partner. He encouraged hotel sustainability initiatives, developed charitable partnerships, and collaborated with local Cabarrus County STEM accredited schools to host a paper airplane contest in the Concord hotel’s open-air atrium for teaching students about the practical application of engineering and technology, as well as the dynamics of flight design.

“We celebrate Terry’s numerous accomplishments and recognize him as a GM legacy that others within the hotel industry and community can look to for inspiration,” said Joe Kelly, JQH regional vice president. “We also welcome Nancy and Paul in their new roles. They are two energetic, strong leaders with a contagious passion for the hospitality business. We anticipate continued wonderful results from them both.”

A 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner, the Embassy Suites Charlotte – Concord/Golf Resort & Spa is located at 5400 John Q. Hammons Dr. NW in Concord. For more information, contact (704) 455-8200 or visit www.embassysuitesconcord.com and www.facebook.com/EmbassySuitesConcord.

Conveniently situated at 2800 Coliseum Centre Drive in Charlotte, the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel can be contacted at (704) 357-1414. For more information on this 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence recipient, visit www.renaissancehotels.com/cltbr or www.facebook.com/RenaissanceCharlotteSuites.

About John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts

Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) is the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States, representing brands such as: Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Sheraton, IHG, Chateau on the Lake Resort / Spa & Convention Center, and Plaza Hotels Collection. With a portfolio of more than 75 hotels representing nearly 19,000 guest rooms/suites in 24 states, JQH’s properties are dominant in their markets. Founded on the extraordinary vision of John Q. Hammons and built on his continued legacy of excellence spanning more than 50 years, JQH has become one of the most recognized and award-winning companies in the hospitality industry. Built to be the best, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts continues to set the standard in hospitality management and hotel development. For more information about JQH, visit the company’s website at www.jqhhotels.com or www.facebook.com/jqhhotelsresorts.

Contacts

JQH
Phill Burgess, 417-873-3591
phill.burgess@jqh.com
or
Publicis Hawkeye for JQH
Sheri D. Smith, 214-454-3969
sheri.smith@publicis-usa.com

Release Summary

JQH names general managers, Nancy Obstler and Paul Papadopulos, for two of its upscale hotels in North Carolina. JQH GM Terry Crawford retires after 45 years in the hospitality industry.

Contacts

JQH
Phill Burgess, 417-873-3591
phill.burgess@jqh.com
or
Publicis Hawkeye for JQH
Sheri D. Smith, 214-454-3969
sheri.smith@publicis-usa.com