Payne named BWH Hotels board chairman

THE BWH HOTELS board of directors recently named Phil Payne as chairman. In addition, the board elected Steve Wahrlich as vice chairperson and Viral "Victor" Patel as secretary-treasurer.

"I am pleased to announce Phil Payne as the new chairperson of the Board," said Larry Cuculic, BWH Hotels president and CEO. "Phil, a trusted and valued member of our organization for over four decades, brings extensive experience with BWH Hotels and essential knowledge of the hospitality industry, making him the ideal individual to serve in this role for the upcoming year.”

Payne has owned and operated six BWH Hotels properties since 1982, BWH said in a statement. Additionally, during his ownership, Payne served as managing member of Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn, Best Western Governor for Western New Mexico and as a member of the brand’s Reservation & Technology Advisory Committee.

"I'm honored to serve as Board chairperson for BWH Hotels," said Payne. "Since joining Best Western in 1982, my commitment has been to make our brand the industry’s friendliest for hoteliers. This involves providing top-notch support, technology solutions, and driving superior revenue while ensuring we exceed guest expectations.”

Meanwhile, Patel was elected to the Best Western Hotels & Resorts Board of Directors in 2021, representing hotel owners in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. He presently owns and operates the Best Western Corbin Inn in Kentucky.

BWH Hotels oversees three hotel companies: WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels. The global enterprise comprises about 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories, featuring 19 brands spanning diverse chain scale segments from economy to luxury.

BWH recently announced collaborations with Green Key Global and Tesla Motors to enhance sustainability initiatives. In July, Joelle Park was appointed as BWH Hotels' senior vice president and chief marketing officer.