Meet the Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Phil PayneBoard Chairman
BWHSM Hotels is governed by a membership-elected Board of seven Directors - one from each of BWH Hotels’ North American Districts. Directors, who are required to be Best Western owners, are elected to three-year terms, and can serve a maximum of two terms. Their leadership, passion and strategic vision for BWH Hotels have created an iconic brand with a presence in over 100† countries and territories across the globe.
Stephen WahrlichBoard Vice-Chairman
Santosh KhanjeeBoard Director
Viral (Victor) PatelBoard Secretary-Treasurer
Mike MerchantBoard Director
Raj PatelBoard Director
Danny LafayetteBoard Director
Executive Team
Larry CuculicPresident and CEO
BWH Hotels’ executive team, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Cuculic, is one of the most experienced and accomplished teams of executives in the travel industry. During their tenure, BWH Hotels has achieved unprecedented success. Their achievements include launching a transformative brand refresh, growing the award-winning Best Western Rewards® loyalty program, receiving a record number of industry awards and accolades, and expanding the company’s portfolio from one to 19 distinctive brands across every chain scale segment – from economy to luxury. Through the team’s stable and progressive leadership, the company has truly become a modern and innovative global hospitality powerhouse.
Ron PohlPresident of International Operations and
President of WorldHotelsTM
Mark StraszynskiSenior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Brad LeBlancSenior Vice President and
Chief Development Officer
Jay PricherSenior Vice President
General Counsel
Joelle ParkSenior Vice President and
Chief Marketing Officer
Michael MortonSenior Vice President
Brand Management and Member Services
Bill RyanSenior Vice President and
Chief Technology Officer
Emily SnowVice President
Legal
Wendy FerrillVice President
Worldwide Sales
Harold DiblerVice President
Technology Management
