BWH Hotel Group announced that Lawrence (Larry) M. Cuculic has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer by the company’s Board of Directors. Cuculic has been serving as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the company for 12 years and will assume his new role as President and CEO on December 1, 2021.
Cuculic takes the helm of the global hospitality powerhouse at a pivotal time in the company’s history. Under the leadership of outgoing President and CEO, David Kong, BWH Hotel Group has grown from one to 18 vibrant and exciting brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury. The company boasts successive records of RevPAR growth, culminating at 113.9 in 2021, as well as industry-leading levels of guest and hotel satisfaction ratings. Under Cuculic’s leadership, BWH Hotel Group is on track to continue leading the industry as a powerful global hotel company.
“Together with my fellow Board of Directors I have great confidence in our decision to appoint Larry our new President and CEO,” comments Ishwar Naran, Board Chairman, BWH Hotel Group. “Larry brings tremendous experience from his prior roles, military background and longstanding position within our organization. Larry is a trusted and decisive leader whose collaborative and strategic approach will undoubtedly lead the company to even stronger financial success, driving positive growth for our hoteliers.”
“I am pleased to be passing the reigns of BWH Hotel Group to my long-term colleague, Larry Cuculic,” comments David Kong, President and CEO, BWH Hotel Group. “I have worked alongside Larry for 12 years and have been continually inspired by his thoughtful leadership and strategic thinking. Throughout his tenure, Larry has gained valuable experience through a wide range of responsibilities, including our Central Reservations and Contact Centers. He is conversant in many areas of our company and is well-liked and respected throughout the organization. Larry is the ideal candidate for the role of President and CEO. He is the right person to lead our organization through the recovery phase of the pandemic and to capitalize on new opportunities ahead. I am confident that together with our strong senior executive team, Larry will drive even more success for BWH Hotel Group and our hoteliers in the years ahead.”
Prior to joining BWH Hotel Group, Cuculic was Senior Vice President General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Wabash National Corporation. Previously, Cuculic served as Vice President Legal and Corporate Secretary for American Commercial Lines, Inc., and was a partner in the law firm Gambs, Mucker & Bauman. Before retiring from the U.S. Army, Cuculic served as a Judge Advocate General’s Corps officer in various legal positions, including appointment as a military judge. Cuculic received his B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School. He also earned an LL.M. degree from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School and graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
To learn more about BWH Hotel Group, visit www.bestwestern.com.