For first time, Carlson goes outside family for CEO

0 Comments | USA TODAY, January, 2008 | by Barbara De Lollis

Minneapolis-based hospitality giant Carlson, one of the biggest family-held corporations in the USA, will be run by someone from outside the family for the first time in its 70-year history.

CEO Marilyn Carlson Nelson, daughter of late company founder Curtis Carlson, announced Tuesday that Hubert Joly, a 48-year-old Frenchman, will succeed her on March 1.

Joly currently works in Paris running Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the business travel management firm in which Carlson has a majority stake.

He will move to the Minneapolis area, where Carlson is headquartered, to assume his new role. He'll become the company's fourth CEO. Nelson will continue as board chairman.

In 2006, Carlson had $37.1 billion in sales from operations in 150 companies....