Hubert Joly was appointed president and ceo of the multi-billion dollar Carlson group.
He succeeds Marilyn Carlson Nelson who will stay on as the group's chairman.
Mr Joly, a 48-year-old Frenchman, was previously president and ceo of the group's business travel division Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT).
The search for his successor in this role has already begun with Mr Joly describing it as a “top priority.”
Mr Joly joined CWT, which is 55% owned by Carlson, in 2004.
In that time, he has seen its sales, through acquisitions and organic growth, rise from $8.9bn in 2003 to $22bn in 2007.
Among his major buys was the US travel management company Navigant which significantly strengthened CWT's share of the US market.
CWT now sees itself as the world's leading TMC.
In his new role, Mr Joly will oversee Carlson companies among which is the Rezidor hotel group with nearly 1000 properties and whose brands include Regent, Radisson SAS and Park Inn,
Other companies in the group include the TGI Friday restaurants and Seven Seas Cruises.
More than 30 candidates were interviewed in the 15 month search to find a successor to Mrs Nelson.
Mr Joly, who previously has worked for Vivendi Universal, EDS and McKinsey and Company, is the group's fourth ceo in its 70 year history but the first from outside the Carlson family.
He will re-locate to Minneapolis and take up his new role on March 1.
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