Concord Hospitality, a Raleigh-based hotel company with more than 140 properties, said Will Loughran became its chief operating officer on Monday.
He succeeds Nick Kellock, who is retiring in May after 15 years at the company.
Loughran will report to CEO Mark Laport, who said “his extensive knowledge of the industry and expertise across full-service, premium select-service and extended stay will only further boost our organization’s continued growth and success.”
Loughran has been president and CEO of San Clemente, Calif.-based Evolution Hospitality, which he joined in 2015. He previously worked at Richfield Hospitality, Sage Hospitality Resources and Marriott International.
Loughran will develop strategic plans for Concord’s growth, including international markets, officials said. The company now has several hotels in Canada.
“With a focus on its associates and industry partners in its strategic growth plan, I am excited to be joining a tight-knit organization that harbors an excellent reputation for its community-focused initiatives and is seen as consistently recognized as a top hotel operator and developer,” Loughran said in a release.
Loughran has a B.A. from Colorado State University and an MBA from Tulane University.
Laport founded Concord in 1985. He and partner Richard Branca now control a majority of the business, while other key investors include Whitman Peterson and The Aztec Group, according to Hotel Investment Today.
