Last edited 2:10 p.m., Jan. 27, 2012John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts has selected a 26-year hospitality veteran to serve as general manager of the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, as well as the Springfield Expo Center.
Robert Henley, who most recently served as general manager of another JQH property - the Holiday Inn Joplin Convention Center and Spa - is charged with managing the hotel and connecting convention center, and the Expo Center, according to a Jan. 26 news release.
Henley succeeds Bob Pottberg, who served for more than nine years in the position. Pottberg has taken over Henley's job at the Holiday Inn Joplin Convention Center and Spa, according to Sheri Smith, president of Publicis PR, which handles news releases for JQH Hotels.
“Robert’s experience and fresh ideas will propel the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center forward in 2012," JQH Hotels CEO Jacquie Dowdy said in the release.
Henley first worked as a general manager for the
2008 opening of the conversion of the Doubletree Hotel in Springfield, an O'Reilly Hospitality property, but he returned to work for JQH Hotels, for which he had previously served as assistant general manager for Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown, among other roles.
Henley reports to John Pasley, one of five regional vice presidents of operations for JQH Hotels' 78 hotels in 24 states.
“Robert’s performance results with our company have been impressive,” Pasley said in the release. “His extensive experience operating market-leading hotels and conference centers make him an ideal fit for the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center.”
The announcement comes two days after a report distributed to Springfield City Council on Tuesday found that JQH Hotels' management of the Expo Center had fallen short. In the report, written to City Manager Greg Burris, city staff said the center has had lackluster performance and that there is room for improvement in its operation.[[In-content Ad]]
