Carlson Appoints Alan J. Buddendeck Vice President and Chief Communications Officer

MINNEAPOLIS, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company, today announced that Alan J. Buddendeck has been appointed vice president and chief communications officer for Carlson, effective May 16, 2011.  He reports to Elizabeth Bastoni, executive vice president, Human Resources.

Buddendeck will partner closely with Hubert Joly, president and chief executive officer, and the global leadership team to further develop Carlson's communications strategy in support of its strategic objectives.  He is responsible for internal and external communications for Carlson as well as for community engagement and public affairs.

"Alan brings broad expertise in public relations, brand communications and stakeholder engagement, which will help to advance our Ambition 2015 strategy of ensuring that our brands lead in their segments and that Carlson becomes the most attractive hospitality and travel company to work for and invest with," said Joly.  

Buddendeck served most recently as corporate vice president for Global Communications, Brand Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., based in Yokohama, Japan.  Prior to joining Nissan in 2008, he held various senior positions in communications with Motorola, Inc., based in Schaumburg, IL, including assignments in Austin, Texas; Hong Kong, China; and Libertyville, IL; between April 1997 and May 2007.

Before joining Motorola, Buddendeck worked in marketing and corporate communications with NCR Corporation; Aggregate Technologies, Inc.; Alan Joseph & Company, Inc.; and Dayton Newspapers, Inc. – all in Dayton, Ohio.

Buddendeck received a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in theology from the University of Dayton, where he also served as an adjunct professor and lecturer for the College of Arts and Sciences from August 1990 through January 1997.

About Carlson

Carlson is a global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Carlson encompasses more than 1,070 hotels, including Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM), Park Inn by Radisson and Park Plaza®; more than 900 T.G.I. Friday's® restaurants; and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, the global leader in business travel management. Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and its brands employ about 170,000 people.  http://www.carlson.com

SOURCE Carlson