In addition, Hyatt announced Susan Santiago has been selected as senior vice president, global select service and franchise operations. She will report to Chu.

“Strong leadership will continue to propel the Hyatt Place and Hyatt House brands as we believe they are tremendous growth engines for our business and have earned consistent financial results,” Haggerty said. “I’m confident that under Jim and Susan’s strategic guidance, these brands will build on their success and momentum among owners, franchisees and guests.”

Chu will continue to lead Hyatt’s global franchise strategy, and he will assume a new responsibility for the strategy to grow Hyatt’s select service business worldwide. Santiago’s new role combines oversight for select and full service franchise operations globally, creating efficiencies for both operations and owner resources.

“Jim has been a leading figure in building Hyatt’s franchising business model and development of our select service brands. He has shown a unique ability to cultivate productive relationships, both among his team and with our valued owners and franchisees,” Haggerty said. “Coupled with Susan’s tremendous operational expertise and passion for people, we believe they will make a great team in advancing the expansion of our select service and franchising businesses worldwide.”

Since joining Hyatt more than a decade ago, Chu has held several leadership positions in roles that work with franchisees and third-party owners. Prior to Hyatt, Chu served in various roles with Wyndham International, including general manager, regional vice president of sales and senior vice president of business development.

Santiago’s Hyatt career spans more than 20 years, beginning at Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. She worked her way through an ascending series of food and beverage positions at Hyatt hotels around the country before serving in general manager roles in Key West, Aruba and Los Angeles. In addition, Santiago held leadership roles at the corporate office, overseeing food and beverage operations in the Americas and, most recently, all regional operations.

There are more than 325 Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels around the world, including the brands’ 20 openings in the first half 2016 alone. The Hyatt Place and Hyatt House brands account for a majority of the company’s total executed contract base, which totals 258 hotels as of June 30, 2016.

Hyatt recently launched its first-ever, dual-branded integrated campaign for the Hyatt Place and Hyatt House brands, “You’ve Come Too Far to Settle Now,” this month. Building on recognition of the Hyatt House brand this year by J.D. Power as “Highest in Guest Satisfaction among North American Upper Extended Stay Hotel Chains,” the campaign celebrates the unwavering drive shared by today’s modern business travelers who never settle for “good enough” in their careers and should never settle for “good enough” when it comes to their hotel stay.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 12 premier brands and 667 properties in 54 countries, as of June 30, 2016. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to create value for shareholders, build relationships with guests and attract the best colleagues in the industry. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences and vacation ownership properties, including under the Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt Centric, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara and Hyatt Residence Club brand names and have locations on six continents. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.