New appointments at Best Western Australia

Rodger Powell, Chief Executive Officer of Best Western Australia - Australia’s largest hotel/motel group – this week announced three major appointments.

Steve McPharlin has joined Best Western Australia as General Manager - Operations. He has a strong hospitality management background with previous roles including Assistant General Manager and Group Food and Beverage Manager at P & O Australian Resorts. He has also held managerial positions with Radisson Port Douglas and Ayers Rock Resorts.

“Apart from his high-calibre operational skills, Steve is an excellent communicator with a strong customer-focus,” said Mr Powell.

Jane Roennfeldt has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing for Best Western Australia. Jane will join the company on February 19. She is currently Head of Sales and Marketing for Stadium Australia. Her marketing career includes roles as General Manager Sales and Marketing - Stamford Hotels and Resorts (Sydney); Director of Sales and Marketing - Fairmont Hotels (London); Manager Sales and Marketing - Southern Sun Group (Johannesburg); Managing Director - Quality Travel Services (Sydney); Regional Director Sales and Marketing - Ritz Carlton (Sydney).

“Jane will bring extensive experience and expertise to Best Western Australia and I am confident she will take our sales and marketing performance to a new dimension,” said Mr Powell.

Sigrun Remond has joined Best Western Australia as International Sales Manager. Her past appointments include National Industry Development and Events Manager with the Inbound Tourism Organisation of Australia (ITOA). Prior to that, she spent four and a half years in total with Blue Line Cruises as Inbound/Domestic Sales Executive and ACCOR Asia Pacific Tourism Leisure as National Inbound Sales Manager. Ms Remond holds a post-graduate diploma in Tourism Management.

“Sigrun is highly-skilled at developing new programs and she is well-equipped to help take the company’s inbound sales to a higher level,” said Mr Powell.

Mr Powell was appointed Chief Executive Officer in October 2000.