Bill DeForrest Honored with the 2015 Kemmons Wilson Service Award
CHICAGO, IL. October 12, 2015 - Spire Hospitality, one of the nation's leading and most respected hotel management companies is proud to announce President and CEO Bill DeForrest as the recipient of the 2015 Kemmons Wilson Service Award presented by IHAI, the Owners' Association of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) brand hotels. The annual Kemmons Wilson Service Award honors the late Mr. Kemmons Wilson, founder of the Holiday Inn brand, and recognizes an individual who embodies Mr. Wilson's enduring spirit. IHAI distinguishes DeForrest amongst the nominees for his exceptional contributions to the IHG system, fearless leadership and selfless commitment to the hospitality industry.
“I am honored to be recognized with the Kemmons Wilson Service award. Our industry has so many great leaders and to be consider among the previous winners of this prestigious award is humbling and a great honor,” says Bill DeForrest, president and CEO of Spire Hospitality. “I am incredibly fortunate to work with the great Spire Hospitality team as they are the ones who keep me energized, allow me to contribute to our industry all while ensuring our company performs well for our owner's and investor's and continues to grow.”
An industry pioneer with more than 30 years of experience, DeForrest began his career at the entry-level, assuming associate positions that quickly escalated to mid-level and executive roles. DeForrest joined Lane Hospitality, now Spire Hospitality, in 1996 as senior vice president of development until he was promoted to his current position as president and CEO merely four years later. Recognized as a progressive leader in the hospitality industry, DeForrest previously assumed chairmanship of the IAHI Board of Directors where he represented the interests of 3,000 owners worldwide. DeForrest boasts seven Torchbearer Awards from IHG for outstanding levels of service throughout the Spire Hospitality hotel portfolio during his tenure.
“Bill consistently inspires those around him to reach their utmost potential,” says Greg Horeth, chief operating officer of Spire Hospitality. “Bill continues to look for new opportunities to push the envelope through brand building and the exploration of new markets. Our industry enjoys watching what his next steps will be.”
Just as he is widely recognized for his action-oriented leadership and keen hospitality instincts, DeForrest is also known for his commitment to the community. As Co-Chairman of IHG's People Committee, DeForrest developed and executed Celebrate Service Week to encourage and recognize corporate social responsibility. Under DeForrest's leadership and positive reinforcement, 90 percent of IHG hotels worldwide participated in Celebrate Service Week last year.
Owned by AWH Partners, LLC, a privately held real estate investment, development and management firm, Spire Hospitality is a leading provider of management services for hotel owners and investors.
For more information on Spire Hospitality, visit www.SpireHotels.com or call (847) 498-6650.
About Spire Hospitality
Spire Hospitality, based in Chicago, Ill., is a third-party operator of 5,871 room keys and more than 350,000 square feet of meeting space in hotels including unique independents and across celebrated brands such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts, (IHG) InterContinental Hotels Group, (HOT) Starwood Hotels & Resorts and (MAR) Marriott International. Spire Hospitality offers expertise in all facets of hospitality management and is committed to preserving, protecting and enhancing the value of hotel real estate. For more information, visit www.spirehotels.com.
About AWH Partners, LLC
AWH Partners, LLC (“AWH”) is a privately held real estate investment, development and management firm formed by Russ Flicker, Jon Rosenfeld, Chad Cooley and Bernard Michael. Since 2010, AWH and its principals have amassed a portfolio in excess of $800 million. In early 2012, AWH acquired Lane Hospitality, a top-tier national hospitality platform formed in 1980, to expand AWH's capabilities in the hospitality sector by aligning its institutional investment expertise with Lane's first class operating platform and industry-leading executive team. In May of 2013, AWH rebranded Lane: Spire Hospitality. For more information, visit www.awhpartners.com.
About the IAHI
IAHI members own and operate IHG brand hotels worldwide, including Crowne Plazaâ Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Indigoâ, Holiday Innâ Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn SunSpreeâ Resorts, Holiday Inn Selectâ, Holiday Inn Expressâ, Staybridge Suitesâ and Candlewood Suitesâ hotels. Established in 1955, the IAHI was the first association of owners in the hotel industry, and today comprises more than 2,700 members in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, The IAHI represents its membership in working together with IHG for the purpose of maintaining the highest professional hospitality standards for its brands. For the latest news from the IAHI, visit our online Newsroom at www.iahi.org.
About IHG
IHG (InterContinental® Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, EVEN™ Hotels, Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 4,900 hotels and 724,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries, with almost 1,300 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG® Rewards Club, the world's first and largest hotel loyalty programme with more than 88 million members worldwide. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally. Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, visit www.ihg.com/media and follow us on social media at: www.twitter.com/ihg, www.facebook.com/ihg or www.youtube.com/ihgplc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
