Donna Hufford Tapped as Interim CEO of Redwood Parks Lodge Company
ORICK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Redwood Parks Lodge Company, the leading lodging, hospitality and entertainment company serving the coastal region of northern California, today announced that Donna Hufford has been named Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following the unexpected death two weeks ago of John Russavage, former chairman and CEO.
Hufford’s appointment was made by the company’s board of directors, and the company has begun a search for a permanent CEO.
For the past five years, Hufford has been Chief Financial Officer of Redwood Parks Lodge Company, as well as one of the company’s first shareholders. She is a business manager for (and a partner in) Hufford Construction, and she currently serves as Secretary, Treasurer and CFO of Redwood Creek Builders, a building construction company in Orick. Hufford has also previously served as the president of the Orick Chamber of Commerce.
Hufford graduated from Oregon College of Education (currently Oregon State Western College) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
“As a long-time officer and shareholder of Redwood Parks Lodge Company, as well as a native and long-time resident of the northern California coastal region, Donna has the background and experience, as well as the support of the local community, needed to continue to help drive the company forward as we identify an qualified permanent CEO candidate,” said Gerald Niesar, counsel to Redwood Parks Lodge Company and partner of Niesar & Whyte, LLP.
As previously announced by the company, John (“Johnny Redwood”) Russavage, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Redwood Parks Lodge Company, died unexpectedly Friday, January 25, 2008 at his home in Trinidad, California. Since its founding in 2002, the company began its efforts to become the premier lodging, hospitality and entertainment company serving the coastal region of northern California, particularly the area in and around Redwood National and State Parks.
Specifically, under Russavage’s direction, Redwood Parks Lodge Company
- Acquired three parcels of commercially zoned land adjacent to or near the Redwood Parks system;
- Completed the first phase of its development by totally refurbishing six existing sawmill employee houses into luxurious, 1,200-square foot vacation cabins at Redwood Adventures Village surrounded by Redwood National Park;
- Secured permission to conduct guided tours, hikes and excursions throughout the Redwood Parks system and Humboldt County, as well as hold special events/festival services within the parks system;
- Launched Redwood Adventures TV, a 30- and 60-minute series launched in January 2008 by the company and broadcast in the region on CBS KVIQ (Channel 6) and Access Humboldt (Channel 12);
- Initiated the planning and development of an 80-room Holiday Inn family resort hotel in Orick, expected to open for business in late 2009;
- Laid the ground work for a world-class resort lodge on its northern-most property, a lodge that would (when completed) match the scope and majesty of the lodges in Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks; and
- Launched a guide service for visitors to Redwood National and State Parks and the surrounding areas.
“I am humbled and honored to accept this position as Interim CEO of Redwood Parks Lodge Company,” Hufford said. “Johnny was truly a bigger-than-life man with an amazing vision for Redwood Parks Lodge Company, and he had a fantastic drive to help get this company so far in such a short period of time. I promise to do all I can to ensure that we continue to move this company forward towards the dreams that John had for both Redwood Parks Lodge Company and for this region.”
About Redwood Parks Lodge Company
Based in Orick, California and formed in 2002, Redwood Parks Lodge Company, Inc. is poised to become the leading lodging, hospitality and entertainment company serving outdoor lovers, vacationers, adventurers and travelers visiting Redwood National and State Parks in the coastal region of northern California.
In the future, Redwood Parks Lodge Company plans to develop a luxury lodge, resort hotels/meeting centers, restaurants, stores and recreational facilities on its three properties adjacent to/surrounded by Redwood National and State Parks. For more information, please visit www.redwoodparkslodge.com or www.redwoodadventures.com or call 866-733-9637.
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