The Board of Directors for Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., announced today that it has elected Brad Hall as chief financial officer (CFO) and treasurer. Hall has been serving as interim CFO since August 2012, and reports to Trudy Rautio, president and chief executive officer, Carlson.<br /><br />“Brad has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead and manage the finances for Carlson’s global hospitality and travel businesses and was the obvious choice for the Board,” said Rautio. “His long and distinguished tenure with Carlson, and keen understanding of the financial complexities of our businesses, uniquely qualify him for this key leadership position.”<br /><br />Upon accepting the CFO position, Hall said, “It is a privilege to be chosen for this important role at Carlson and serve on the senior leadership team that is charting a course for ongoing success.”<br /><br />Hall has been with Carlson for 15 years, since 1998, and prior to assuming the interim CFO duties, was responsible for the Company’s treasury, strategic planning, investment analysis and risk management activities. In this capacity, he directly led and advised on loan transactions totaling more than $2.5 billion, including securing the debt financing for Carlson’s first two Radisson Blu hotels in the United States. Hall also oversaw the share purchases that secured Carlson’s majority interest in the Rezidor Hotel Group.<br /><br />Previously, he served in financial planning and analysis, accounting and internal audit roles within Carlson. His work included centralizing TGI Fridays accounting processes, providing financial and strategic decision support, renewing investment opportunities and designing and implementing management incentive plans.<br /><br />Hall holds a master’s degree in business administration with Finance and Strategic Management concentrations from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. He participates in several finance-related organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts, the Association for Financial Professionals and its Corporate Treasurers Council. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).