Best Western International NEW

PHOENIX – Best Western International today announced the appointment of Lawrence Cuculic as vice president, general counsel, as well as the promotion of Mike Durazo to director of online client solutions.

As vice president, general counsel, Cuculic will provide counsel, leadership and guidance on all legal matters relating to Best Western's corporate environment and membership. He will also be responsible for setting and managing strategic direction, providing guidance on corporate legal issues, board and board committee matters, and managing relationships with external counsel. Cuculic will report directly to David Kong, president and CEO.

Most recently, Cuculic was senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Lafayette, Ind.-based Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC), where he advised the senior executive team on matters involving domestic and international business strategies, policies, negotiations and agreements. As secretary to the board of directors, Cuculic provided analysis, recommendations and oversight regarding governance and public-company reporting obligations for the 3,100-employee corporation.

Cuculic received his B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School.

As director, online client services, Durazo will continue leading the company’s global distribution (GDS) efforts and maintaining online travel agency (OTA) relationships. In addition, Durazo joins the sales and marketing team’s client solutions group where his experience and knowledge will enhance the brand’s capabilities to move market share across multiple business channels. He will report to Sheri Smack, managing director of client solutions and services.

Durazo, who has been with Best Western since 2005, has more than 10 years of electronic distribution experience. He most recently served as the brand’s senior manager of e-business initiatives, where he managed relationships with GDS partners as well as OTA companies to drive member value and enhance brand equity. Durazo’s duties included the development and maintenance of GDS/OTA procedures, providing education and communication for internal and external customers, negotiating contracts and managing the budget.

ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL

Best Western International is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* independently owned and operated member hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide. An industry pioneer since 1946, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Best Western's diverse property portfolio, its greatest strength, stems from a business model designed to give owners maximum flexibility to address market-specific needs. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western recently embarked on a mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. World Vision is the charity of choice for Best Western in building the world's largest family, as our hotels and staff sponsor children in need around the globe. Since 2004, Best Western has served as the Official Hotel of NASCAR®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit .

*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

Marie Yarroll
+ 1 602 957-5750
BWH Hotels