Carlson President and CEO Hubert Joly will also now lead Carlson Hotels Worldwide, replacing Jay Witzel, who after 22 years with the company in senior management positions, will be leaving to serve in a consulting role within the company.

Also, Thorsten Kirschke was appointed as chief operating officer of Carlson Hotels – Americas. He will take over Sept. 1 and report to Joly, who’s taking the responsibilities Witzel had as president and CEO of the hotel group.

Joly became the first non-family member to lead Carlson Companies last March when he took over for Marilyn Carlson Nelson. Kirschke is at least the third head of the Americas group since then, when Paul Kirwin replaced Yvonne LaPenotiere. Kirwin left Carlson earlier this year and is now with Northcott Hospitality.

Kirschke was EVP and COO of The Rezidor Hotel Group. Carlson is the main shareholder of Rezidor.