Kenneth McLaren was named executive vice president of Interstate Management Services Inc. and will oversee operations of the local hotels, with all general managers reporting directly to him. Irina Kulagina, vice president sales and marketing, will also be responsible for new business development. Mikhail Rodionov, as vice president-director of projects, will oversee the capital projects for the Moscow portfolio.

Interstate Hotels & Resorts operates 223 hospitality properties with more than 50,000 rooms. A company representative tells GlobeSt.com the new local executives are housed in temporary space while they look for permanent space in Central Moscow. The source could immediately not say where the temporary office is located or how much permanent space the company is seeking.

Company chief executive Thomas Hewitt says the new Moscow office will help the company manage its existing assignments and capitalize on future growth opportunities. The office will enhance the company's ability "to source additional new contracts and/or development and acquisition opportunities, both in Russia and throughout Europe," he says.

McLaren comes to Interstate from Marriott, where he was general manager of the Moscow Marriott Grand Hotel. Previously, with Hilton, he served as general manager of the Malta Hilton, the Dubai Hilton, and the Abuja, Nigeria Hilton. Kulagina has been area director of sales and marketing for the three Moscow Marriott hotels. Rodionov most recently was a director of purchasing with Moscow Marriott.

Earlier this month, Interstate Hotels said it had secured the management contract for a new hotel under construction in Moscow that will open in late 2008. The owner-builder of the 300-room property is Monarch Construction. Property features will include a restaurant, lounge, pool, fitness center, spa, gift shop and approximately 15,000 sf of function space.

Instant Insights /

Interstate Hotels Staffs Office in Russia

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