Hyatt development executive Jim Abrahamson has been named president of the Americas region of InterContinental Hotels Group. The 52-year-old Abrahamson replaces the late Steve Porter, who died earlier this year.

Abrahamson, whose career includes stints with Hilton and Baymont, had been head of Americas development for Global Hyatt. He's been credited for the successful roll-out of the company's Hyatt Place brand.

Before joining Hyatt in 2004, Abrahamson was president of Baymont Inns. Before that, he was a development executive with Hilton and was involved in the development of the Hilton Garden Inn brand.


He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota.