Gordon Gee and Laurence Geller Join Gaylord Entertainment's Board
"We welcome Chancellor Gee and Mr. Geller to Gaylord," said Mike Rose chairman of Gaylord Entertainment. "The leadership and independence Gordon and Laurence bring to our board are invaluable as we move forward with our strategy to grow our core hospitality and entertainment businesses."
Gaylord Entertainment's business strategy will be discussed further in its year-end earnings announcement to be released Friday, Feb. 15.
"We have been working to transform our board to one that will support our focus on building strong brands, driving profitability, and creating value for our shareholders," said Colin Reed, president and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment. "The appointment of Chancellor Gee and Mr. Geller to Gaylord's board, as well as the recent addition of Ralph Horn, Chairman and CEO of First Tennessee National Corporation, and the experience they bring to the table clearly moves us in that direction."
Chancellor Gordon Gee came to Vanderbilt after having served as President at Brown University, Ohio State University, the University of Colorado and West Virginia University. Laurence Geller is the Chairman and CEO of Strategic Hotel Capital, L.L.C., a global lodging real estate company that acquires and provides services to upscale and luxury hotels. Mr. Gee will initially serve on Gaylord's Human Resources Committee and Mr. Geller will serve on the Audit Committee.
Howard Wood, a Gaylord board member since 1999, had previously resigned in January to pursue a new business venture, as well as other interests. In addition, Ambassador Joe M. Rodgers and Craig Leipold have announced that they intend to retire from the Company's Board of Directors effective with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company in May. "We appreciate the service of Howard, Joe and Craig to our Company and wish them all the best in their other business pursuits," Reed said.
Gaylord Entertainment, a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn., owns and operates Gaylord Hotels branded properties, including the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., and the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fl. The Company's other businesses include the Grand Ole Opry, Acuff-Rose Music Publishing, the Ryman Auditorium, the General Jackson showboat and WSM Radio. Gaylord Entertainment's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GET. For more information about the company visit www.gaylordentertainment.com.
CONTACT: Gaylord Entertainment
Beth Peden Tallent, 615/316-6302
btallent@gaylordentertainment.com
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