THE

TOM HEWITT

FILE

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS : After starting at the reception desk at a local Sheraton to pay his way through Bryant College in Rhode Island , Hewitt spent more than 20 years at Sheraton Corp ., holding multiple general management positions and ultimately rising to president of the North American division . In 1985 , he joined The

Continental Companies , which owned and managed more than 80 hotels , and served as president and chief operating officer . He joined Interstate Hotels Corp . as chairman and CEO in 1999 , leading a successful spinoff from Wyndham International and facilitating the merger with MeriStar Hotels & Resorts that created

Interstate Hotels & Resorts . After serving as Interstate ’ s CEO from 2005 to 2011 , Hewitt has helped Jim Abrahamson transition to that role . Hewitt ’ s current position is chairman of the board for Interstate .

FAMILY : Wife , Kathy ; son , Sean ; daughter , Jennifer ; and four grandchildren

HOBBIES : Traveling , skiing and cycling

PET PEEVE : Tardiness

ADVICE : “ There ’ s a lot of clutter out there ,” Hewitt warns . “ Remain focused . Have a clear vision knowing that it ’ s going to be adjusted , for sure , and really make a solid commitment to it .”

18 HOTELS November 2012 www . hotelsmag . com

Joshua Roberts