Choice Hotels International has promoted longtime legal executive Jeff Lobb to Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, effective March 26th, 2026. In the role, Lobb will oversee the company’s global legal and public policy strategy while serving on the executive leadership team.
Lobb will report directly to President and CEO Pat Pacious and succeeds Simone Wu, who plans to retire later this spring after more than 14 years with the company. The two leaders will work together in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
“Simone has been a trusted leader and strategic partner to the Board, management team, and associates for more than 14 years, guiding Choice Hotels through many pivotal moments with integrity, discernment and deep care for our people,” said Pacious. “Jeff is a leader whose deep legal expertise, steady judgment, and long history with Choice Hotels make him exceptionally well suited to serve as our next SVP, General Counsel & Secretary.”
Lobb joined Choice Hotels in 2006 and most recently served as Deputy General Counsel, where he led the company’s corporate, finance and transactions teams. During his tenure, he played a central role in corporate governance and board administration while advising leadership on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, investments, real estate ventures and major commercial agreements.
Over nearly two decades with the company, Lobb has built a reputation as a trusted legal advisor to senior leadership and the board. His work has also been recognized by the Association of Corporate Counsel – National Capital Region, which named him Outstanding In-House Counsel.
“I’m honored to step into this role and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Choice Hotels,” said Lobb. “This is a company with a strong culture, clear values, and a long history of doing what’s right for its associates, franchisees, shareholders, and guests. I look forward to building on that foundation and supporting Choice Hotels’ continued growth and success.”
Based in North Bethesda, Maryland, Choice Hotels is one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, with a portfolio of well-known brands including Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Cambria Hotels and Ascend Hotel Collection. The company supports thousands of franchised hotels across more than 40 countries and territories.
