Tony Di Rico New VP, Ops for Best Western
PHOENIX, AZ, July 25, 2006 Tony Di Rico is being named Vice President of Operations at Best Western International.
In the newly created position, Di Rico will be responsible for Education and Training, Revenue Management and Quality Assurance services for the brand's 2,400 hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.
As an industry veteran with nearly 30 years experience, Di Rico has held senior level positions with such companies as Richfield Hotel Management Inc., Sunburst Hospitality Corporation/Choice Hotels and Highgate Hotels Inc.
Di Rico began his hospitality career with Dallas-based Richfield Hotel Management Inc., serving as a general manager until his promotion to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, a position he held until 1992.
From there he joined Sunburst Hospitality Corporation, Silver Springs, Maryland, as Senior Vice President and was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in 1997. While at Sunburst, he was responsible for corporate operations, sales and marketing, revenue management, food and beverage and facilities planning for 96 hotels. In addition, Di Rico has held senior executive positions with Highgate Hotels Inc., Dallas, Westmont Hospitality Group, Houston and Dallas-based restaurant group, Tesa LTD.
"Tony possesses a highly disciplined, strategic approach to operations management, along with a proven track record of revenue growth," said Ric Leutwyler, senior vice president, Brand Quality and Member Services for Best Western International. "Best Western's Membership will benefit tremendously from Tony's wealth of hospitality experience working with other notable hotel brand giants including Choice, Hilton, Holiday Inn and Marriott. We are delighted to have Tony on our team."
During his tenure at Choice, Di Rico 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 for which he holds a patent. Di Rico attended the University of Miami, Florida and has been designated a certified hotel administrator by the American Hotel & Motel Association. He has lectured at numerous universities and industry events, including the University of Delaware on the subject of hotel management.
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 
