PARSIPPANY, NJ—(May 14, 2014) - Focused on maintaining its vigorous development strategy and growing its presence in Latin America, Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with approximately 7,500 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the appointment of Paulo Pena as senior vice president and managing director, Latin America.
Pena is responsible for leading Wyndham Hotel Group’s development efforts in Latin America, an integral region in the company’s international plans, as well as providing operational, marketing, revenue management and sales services to the company’s franchisees and robust network of multi-unit development partners. He is based in Wyndham Hotel Group’s Parsippany, New Jersey, offices.
Pena joins Wyndham Hotel Group from Starwood Hotels & Resorts where he held various roles in operations, strategy, marketing and global partnerships throughout his ten year tenure. Most recently, he served as vice president, global partnerships, responsible for developing, negotiating and executing cross-functional strategic alliances and partnerships.
“Wyndham Hotel Group continues to target Latin America as a crucial region for growth and Paulo will be an excellent leader for this charge,” said Bob Loewen, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Wyndham Hotel Group. “His experience with strategic relationships combined with his broad industry knowledge will be fundamental to our development in the region as we continue to collaborate with key development partners to drive accelerated growth in Latin America’s emerging markets.”
Wyndham Hotel Group is pursuing growth for its broad portfolio of brands in key cities and markets throughout Latin America, with particular focus on Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Peru, as well as fulfilling the growing demand for mid-scale and economy hotels throughout the region. In addition to seeking new partnership prospects, the company also prioritizes ongoing support for existing franchisees whose continued collaboration affords mutual opportunities for expansion.
As of March 31, 2014, Wyndham Hotel Group’s portfolio consists of 122 properties and over 15,000 rooms throughout Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The company achieved several important milestones in Latin America last year, including the opening of the first Super 8 hotel in the region, the Super 8 Aeroporto Confins in Lagoa Santa, Brazil. Several brands entered new markets, including Wyndham Hotels and Resorts in Venezuela and Peru, Days Inn in Brazil and Ramada in Colombia. Additionally, the midscale Howard Johnson brand celebrated the opening of its 30th hotel in Argentina, the Howard Johnson Resort and Convention Center, Ezeiza.
Pena previously held several international finance positions for The Coca-Cola Company across Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. He began his career in the audit division of Ernst & Young. Pena is fluent in Spanish and holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia and a master’s of business administration from Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants.