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Tom Murray is a passionate advocate for the hospitality industry and its role as an important economic development driver for communities. Under his leadership, the CRVA has set ambitious and competitive goals through strategic planning, strengthened its financial capacity, elevated the profile of the Charlotte region as a leisure and meetings destination, established strong partnerships across the region and consistently grown the positive impact that the visitor economy has on the community's quality of life.

With more than 30 years of experience, Murray has long served as a leader in the hospitality industry for some of the nation’s largest hotels and travel organizations, including Lindblad Expeditions of New York and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

As Chief Operating Officer of the Americas for IHG, Murray directed the operations of all owned and managed hotels in the U.S. and Canada, a portfolio that included 204 hotels, seven brands, and approximately $2 billion in hotel revenues. His responsibilities also included overseeing franchising, company-owned and managed development, hotel operations and third-party owner relationships in the Latin America and Mexico regions encompassing 165 hotels. Murray led IHG Americas’ Design and Construction organization as well, delivering on his extensive experience in construction, project management and technical services agreements.

Prior to IHG, Murray served as the Chief Operating Officer & Senior Vice President for Red Lion Hotels & Inns, Hilton Hotel division, where he led all areas of the company’s performance, including franchise and management relationships, property operations, sales and marketing, brand management, asset management and accounting. Murray held various senior level positions within Promus Hotels Corporation for 10 years and worked as a controller for Marriott Hotels Corporation prior to that.

Murray is a graduate of Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accountancy.