Best Western’s Ron Pohl promoted to SVP & COO

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced in late December the promotion of Ron Pohl to senior vice-president and chief operations officer.

“Since joining Best Western in early 2007, as a leader with strategic vision, Ron has tremendously improved the member services and brand management functions of Best Western,” said president and CEO David Kong. “His many accomplishments include achieving record high RevPAR Index, the brand’s best Net Promoter Scores, as well as the highest Medallia scores in the areas of breakfast, service and overall experience. He is an integral member of the executive committee who has helped lead this company to previously unimaginable achievements on a global level.”

Pohl serves on the company’s executive committee and leads the brand’s operations and development efforts for North America and Asia.

His responsibilities include overseeing key departments within the hotel company, including customer care, member services, revenue management, education and training, design, supply, and global quality assurance. He was instrumental in repositioning the Best Western, Best Western Plus and Best Western Premier brands, as well as launching Vīb, Glō, BW Premier Collection and the SureStay Hotel Group.

During his time with the brand, Pohl has significantly improved revenue management systems, implemented new and innovative education and training resources and launched the Best Western I Care program.

Pohl also created Best Western International University – Best Western’s online education website for hotel staff and corporate employees – which includes a partnership using AHLEI courses and certifications, Rosetta Stone and the University of Phoenix.

In addition, under Pohl’s leadership, Best Western Hotels and Resorts has been awarded a silver award from the Brandon Hall Group for a customer service training program called I Care, Every Guest Every Time.

Earlier this year, Pohl was awarded the 2016 American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s Arthur Landstreet Award, presented to the individual who has made a lasting impact on the quality of professional development and training in the hospitality industry.

Pohl serves on the advisory board for Grand Canyon University, partnering with the university on the promotion of its new Hospitality College.