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Rolf E. Ruhfus, age 62, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LodgeWorks Corporation, a hotel development and management company, which owns the Sierra Suites hotel brand. Mr. Ruhfus also serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wichita Consulting Company, L.P., an investment and consulting services company. Previously, Mr. Ruhfus served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Summerfield Hotel Corporation, a hotel development and management company and former owner of the Summerfield Suites hotel brand, since its founding in 1988 until its sale to Wyndham International, Inc. in 1998. Mr. Ruhfus served as President of the Residence Inn Company from February 1983 through July 1987 (Residence Inn was acquired by Marriott International, Inc. in July 1987). Mr. Ruhfus joined the Residence Inn Company after spending four years as Director of Marketing for VARTA Battery, Europe�s largest battery manufacturer. Prior to this position, he was a management consultant for McKinsey and Company in its Dusseldorf, Germany office. Mr. Ruhfus was a German Air Force Lieutenant, and received a bachelor�s degree from Western Michigan University in 1968. His graduate degrees include a M.B.A. from the Wharton School in 1971 and a Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Muenster in 1974. Mr. Ruhfus is a member of the international chapter of The Young Presidents Organization and serves on the board of several European companies. Mr. Ruhfus has served on the Company�s Board since July 1997. | 