Steve Porter, the dynamic and well-liked chief of InterContinental Hotels Group‘s Americas region, died last Thursday at age 53. Porter died at his home in Los Angeles following a short illness that had him hospitalized since mid-July.

Porter had the rare executive gift of being able to meet and exceed expectations of shareholders while earning the respect and trust of franchisees and owners. Steve’s Midwestern roots shone through in his enthusiasm and friendliness. He was a man of passion, first for his family, but also for his company and the hospitality industry.

In recent years, Porter played a more visible role in industry affairs, chairing both the AH&LA’s Government Affairs Committee and the Discover America Partnership. He also served as vice chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable.

Porter joined IHG in 2001 as COO of the Americas. He was named president a year later. He started his hotel career in 1976 with Stouffer Hotels and joined Hilton Hotels in 1990, eventually rising to executive vice president of operations.

In addition to the presidency of company’s Americas region, Porter was global leader of franchise strategy and an executive director of IHG PLC. Under his leadership, the company acquired its sixth brand (Candlewood Suites) and launched a seventh, Hotel Indigo, which was at the forefront of the industry’s new lifestyle brand segment. In 2006, Lodging Hospitality honored Porter with its Stephen W. Brener Lodging Hospitality Silver Plate Award.

A native of Columbus, OH, Porter had degrees from Miami University and Xavier University. He is survived by his wife Francey and sons Steve, Jr. and Charlie.

When Porter fell ill last month, IHG named Finance Director Richard Solomons as interim president of the Americas region, a role he’ll retain until a permanent successor is named.