BOSTON, Nov. 15, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Nasdaq:SNSTA) announced today that Paul Sonnabend will leave the Company at the end of the week.
"For over 58 years Sonesta has been my life," said Mr. Sonnabend. "I recently celebrated my 80th birthday and I am looking forward to pursuing family and personal interests. With as many family members as I have working within Sonesta, the Company will continue to be a part of my life -- but my view will be from the sidelines now -- no longer from the playing field."
Mr. Sonnabend held several positions with Sonesta (formerly known as Hotel Corporation of America) before serving as President and Managing Director of the Company's Plaza Hotel in New York, from 1960 until 1975.
For over twenty years, Mr. Sonnabend was president of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation. On January 1, 1996, he transferred his responsibilities as president to his niece, Stephanie Sonnabend. Since that time he has held the title of Executive Vice President.
Mr. Sonnabend has also been actively involved in many outside organizations. In 1959, he was a founder, Vice President and Director of the Boston Patriots Football Club (the original name of the New England Patriots), a position he held until 1988, when the team was sold. As Executive Director of the NFL Management Council, from 1978 to 1980, he represented the National Football League in labor matters.
A life-long advocate for public service, Mr. Sonnabend is considered an expert in the concept of volunteerism. President Johnson appointed him to the National Commission on Architectural Barriers and President Nixon named him Vice Chairman and Director of the National Center for Voluntary Action, an organization which was chartered to improve the quality and quantity of volunteerism in America. He also served as Treasurer of the National Easter Seal Society and President of Call For Action, Inc., among his other interests.
Mr. Sonnabend graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1945 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946. In 1950, he graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Hotel Management. His two sons hold positions with Sonesta, Peter J. Sonnabend as C.E.O. & Vice Chairman of the Board; and Thomas A. Sonnabend as Regional Sales Director for New England.