NOVEMBER 13, 2008. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has elected John Campbell as secretary/treasurer to its 2009 board of directors. Campbell is currently general manager of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in La Jolla, California, and will serve as the association’s chairman in 2011.

Campbell has served on AH&LA’s board of directors for numerous years, chaired the association’s Audit and Certification committee, and is a current member of the Governmental Affairs committee and Resort committee. He was also recognized by AH&LA with the prestigious Lawson A. Odde Award for his outstanding contributions by a board member.

Campbell, a 25-year hotel and resort-industry veteran, presides as general manager of the resort, which includes five properties including the 98-room La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the 128-room La Jolla Shores Hotel (formerly the Sea Lodge Hotel), the landmark Marine Room restaurant and two commercial properties. Campbell started his position with the company in 1994.

Prior to joining La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc., Campbell spent seven years as director of food & beverage at the 1,355-room San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. His hospitality career began in 1981 as a food and beverage director at the Anaheim Marriott. In 1985, he was appointed opening director of food & beverage at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, CA., before transferring to San Diego in that role to oversee the acquisition and expansion of the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. Campbell also spent eight years with Bobby McGee's, a chain of freestanding theme restaurants in the Southwest.

Campbell is a past president of the California Hotel & Lodging Association and of the California Restaurant Association San Diego. He is also a past member of the board of directors of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau and former director of the San Diego Hotel & Motel Association. Campbell graduated from the University of Arizona where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business finance.

“John’s proven dedication to the association coupled with his comprehensive approach to engaging and leading his employees will have a profound influence on AH&LA’s initiatives over the next few years,” said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. “During this transitional time for all Americans, John’s charisma and innovative thinking will continue to motivate our board in developing programs benefitting both members and the industry.”

Other 2009 AH&LA officers include Chairman Joe Martin, owner and operator of Stillwater Hospitality, LLC; Vice Chairman David Kong, president/CEO of Best Western International; and Immediate Past Chairman Thomas J. Corcoran, Jr., chairman of FelCor Lodging Trust, LLC. These hoteliers are led by AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. For more information, please visit www.ahla.com, or call (202) 289-3100.