SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Choice Hotels International mourns the loss of Board Member and colleague Larry R. Levitan. Mr. Levitan passed away on August 24, 2006, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 65.
"We are deeply saddened by Larry's death, and we extend our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues," said Stewart Bainum, Jr., board chairman. "Larry's many contributions to our company and its success over the years have been tremendous. He played a key role in helping to shape the company's long- term growth strategies, and his insight and accounting expertise were invaluable assets in guiding Choice's vision."
"Larry's fighting spirit was an inspiration to all who knew him, and his support to me and to Choice was extremely beneficial in the dynamic growth the company has experienced over the past eight years," said Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., president and CEO. "His dedication to the company and his talent will be missed."
Mr. Levitan was elected to the board of Choice Hotels International in 1998 and was its longest-serving outside board member. He remained an active and contributing member of the board up through the May 2006 board meeting.
During his 34-year professional career with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), retiring in 1997, Larry served as the firm's Chief Technology Officer and had responsibility for some of Accenture's largest client engagements. He also served as Managing Partner of numerous Andersen Consulting entities.
From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Levitan served as a part time advisor on technology matters to the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. In 2000, he was nominated by President Clinton to the IRS Oversight Board. He was subsequently elected its Chairman of the Board, and served in that capacity from September 2000 to September 2002.
Mr. Levitan received a BSBA degree in Accounting from the University of Florida in 1963. He is survived by his wife, Rosie, and one daughter.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,200 hotels, representing more than 430,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 40 countries and territories. As of June 30, 2006, 687 hotels are under development in the United States, representing 53,765 rooms, and an additional 65 hotels, representing 5,993 rooms, are under development in more than 20 countries and territories. The company's Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brands serve guests worldwide. Additional corporate information may be found on Choice Hotels' Internet site, which may be accessed at http://www.choicehotels.com/.
Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International, Inc.
