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WEIRTON - A Weirton native will now be at the head of one of the world’s largest hotel franchisors.
Choice Hotels International, on Monday, announced the appointment of Dominic Dragisich as its new president and chief executive officer, as well as to a seat on the company’s board of directors.
Dragisich, a Weirton native and a 2000 graduate of Madonna High School, had served as the company’s interim chief executive officer since May 20, following the departure of Patrick Pacious.
"I am honored by the Board’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to continue leading Choice Hotels," said Dragisich in a statement released by Choice Hotels. "With a talented team, a higher-quality portfolio, a more accretive and diverse pipeline, and significant opportunities ahead, we are entering this next chapter from a position of strength. We remain focused on disciplined execution, accelerating growth, and strengthening our brands capitalizing on our commercial investments. I am excited to continue advancing our strategy and helping our franchisees succeed while delivering exceptional experiences for our guests."
Dragisich has been with Choice Hotels for almost 10 years, holding various roles including chief financial officer, executive vice president of operations and chief global brand officer, and chief growth and strategy officer.
The company notes his involvement in leading major acquisitions and advancing strategic initiatives - including the purchase of Raddison Hotels Americas in 2022 and WoodSpring Suits in 2018 – expanding the Choice Hotels’ portfolio while creating long-term value for franchisees and shareholders.
"Dom has been a proven, exceptional leader for nearly a decade at Choice Hotels. Since stepping into the role of Interim CEO, Dom has advanced strategic priorities and fostered a performance-driven culture across the company. He brings an innovative mindset, a deep appreciation for attracting and developing great talent, and a clear vision for the future of the business," said Stewart Bainum Jr., chairman of the Board of Directors for Choice Hotels International. "The Board conducted a comprehensive search and evaluated a strong slate of internal and external candidates. Through that process, we concluded that Dom is the right leader to build on Choice Hotels’ recent momentum, execute our strategy, and drive long-term value for our franchisees and shareholders. We look forward to partnering with Dom and are confident in his ability to position Choice Hotels for success."
Dragisich joined Choice Hotels in 2017,
He previously served as chief financial officer at XO Communications, a national provider of advanced telecommunications services which was acquired by Verizon in 2017.
He also previously held senior finance and operational positions with Marriott International, NII Holdings, and Deloitte Consulting.
Choice Hotels International has more than 7,500 hotels in 49 countries and territories, with 22 brands including Radisson, Cambria, Ascend Collection Hotels, Comfort, Country Inn and Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Everhome Suites, WoodSpring Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Studios, Park Inn, EconoLodge, and Rodeway Inn.