John J Russell Jr

John Russell’s illustrious 35-year career in the hospitality industry includes positions in the marketing, operations, franchise sales and management of a variety of hotels, from limited-service to luxury. A former chairmen of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), he has held senior executive positions with organizations that range from start-ups to some of the world’s largest hospitality companies. Recently as CEO of NYLO Hotels, John helped create the design-centric category of lifestyle hotel. He has stepped down from his role as chief executive to focus his energies internationally on Advaya Hospitality and the launch of MODO Hotels, a boutique lifestyle hotel brand in India, Brazil and the U.S. John has served as vice chairman of the Travel Division of Cendant Corp., now Wyndham Worldwide; chairman and CEO of Cendant’s Hotel Division; president of Days Inn of America; president and CEO of Resort Condominiums International (RCI); president/CEO of Colony Hotels and Resorts; executive vice president of Radisson Resorts; and partner at the marketing firm Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, now Ypartnership. A West Point graduate, he served in Vietnam, Germany and stateside before leaving the Army as a captain.