In this new role, Thiergart will oversee Choice's extended stay portfolio and operations, including the recently acquired WoodSpring Suites brand as well as MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay.

Thiergart has been an integral part of Choice's franchise services team since 2005, most recently serving as vice president of franchise services. During his tenure, he led the company's domestic franchise onboarding and field-based property performance teams as well as brand standards and compliance organszation. In addition, he facilitated the creation of the company's award-winning franchisee training platform, Choice University, and worked closely with Choice's franchisee advisory councils.

"WoodSpring Suites is the nation's fastest growing economy extended-stay hotel brand and the acquisition adds more than 240 properties across 35 states to the Choice portfolio. Sustaining the brand's success and integrating best practices across Choice's extended stay brands is imperative to our success," said John Bonds, senior vice president, enterprise operations and technology, Choice Hotels. "Ralph is a compelling leader with extensive understanding of Choice's owner base and industry operations. Coupled with his background in the extended stay segment, it makes him the ideal leader to successfully grow the WoodSpring Suites brand and expand Choice's presence in the extended stay category."

Thiergart said: "Extended stay has reported some of the most impressive gains in industry demand, and WoodSpring Suites fits perfectly into Choice's well-segmented family of brands as a new construction, highly profitable, economy extended-stay brand. I look forward to taking on this new role overseeing Choice's extended-stay operations, including MainStay and Suburban, and solidifying Choice's position as a leader in extended stay," said Thiergart.

Thiergart has more than 30 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Choice Hotels, he oversaw sales and marketing for the Lexington Hotel Suites brand, and led sales, marketing and operations at hotel management company, Dimension Development. Earlier in his career, he held roles in the early development of both the Residence Inn and Homewood Suites brands.