(CelebrityAccess MediaWire)–
The board of directors of Gaylord Entertainment Co. elected Colin V. Reed chairman of the board of directors at its annual meeting. Reed, 57, adds the role of chairman to his current responsibilities as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.
"Since becoming president and chief executive officer four years ago, Colin has done a tremendous job of articulating and executing a clear strategy for Gaylord Entertainment," said Ralph Horn, former chairman and chief executive officer of First Tennessee National Corp. (now First Horizon National Corp.) and the lead outside director of the Gaylord board. "Colin has led a dramatic transformation of the company into a strategically focused, financially sound organization. Moreover, he has built a very strong management team and has successfully instilled a service-oriented culture throughout the company's brands and operations. Speaking on behalf of the board, we are highly confident that Colin will lead Gaylord to achieve its goals for growth and development."
Reed succeeds Michael D. Rose, who was named chairman of the board's executive committee today, as well.
"I appreciate the board's recognition of the company's progress and its confidence in our future direction," said Reed. "Our team has accomplished a great deal thus far and yet we are just beginning to see the results of our initiatives. With the support of the board, I believe we are building a company that will further empower our employees, delight our customers and deliver value for our shareholders."
Reed joined Gaylord as president and CEO in April, 2001. Prior to joining Gaylord, Reed had been with Harrah's Entertainment Inc., where he had been chief financial officer and chief development officer and a member of its board of directors. At Harrah's, Reed also was a member of the three-person Office of the President.
Reed began his management career in hospitality with Holiday Inns Inc. in 1977 in its Europe, Middle East and Africa division, where he became the chief financial officer for the division. In 1987, he became executive assistant to Rose, working side-by-side with him during the growth and expansion the company enjoyed in ensuing years. He then served as senior vice president for development for the Promus Companies Inc. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
