Choice Hotels International Appoints Jeff Lobb as SVP, General Counsel and Secretary

Choice Hotels International Appoints Jeff Lobb as SVP, General Counsel & Secretary (March 5, 2026)

Appointment:
Jeff Lobb will assume the role of Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary effective March 26, 2026.

Responsibilities:
He will oversee global legal and public policy strategy and operations, reporting directly to CEO Pat Pacious.

Transition:
Lobb succeeds Simone Wu, who is retiring after 14 years of distinguished service. Wu and Lobb will collaborate closely to ensure a smooth transition.

Background:
- Joined Choice Hotels in 2006.
- Most recently served as Deputy General Counsel, leading corporate, finance, and transactions teams.
- Key contributor to governance, M&A, investments, real estate ventures, and major agreements.
- Recognized as Outstanding In-House Counsel by the Association of Corporate Counsel – National Capital Region.
- Prior to Choice, practiced law at leading Washington, D.C. firms.

Statements:
- CEO Pat Pacious praised Wu’s integrity and leadership, and highlighted Lobb’s deep expertise and long history with the company.
- Jeff Lobb expressed honor at stepping into the role, emphasizing Choice Hotels’ strong culture and values.

Company context:
Choice Hotels operates over 7,500 hotels with more than 650,000 rooms across 50 countries, spanning 22 brands from upscale to economy.

This appointment underscores Choice Hotels’ focus on continuity and experienced leadership in guiding its legal and governance strategy.