Great Wolf Resorts Inc. has appointed Bret McLeod as the company’s next CFO. He has more than 20 years of financial leadership experience, the majority spent within the hospitality industry, and will oversee the company’s finance and accounting functions, as well as serve as a member of the company’s executive leadership team responsible for driving the company’s business transformation and growth.
McLeod will play a leadership role in developing and refining financial processes, systems and infrastructure while guiding a finance and accounting team of more than 110 pack members, according to Greet Wolf Resorts. He will also provide critical support as the company navigates a period of significant growth, with three resorts set to open within the next 18 months, as well as serve as a key advisor for future development opportunities and strategic capital decisions.
John Murphy, CEO, Great Wolf Resorts, said, “We will rely heavily on Bret’s strong financial acumen as we add more than 1,500 keys to our portfolio with new resorts opening in Florida, Texas and Mashantucket, CT, as well as further enhance and transform the Great Wolf Lodge experience at our 20 existing resorts across North America.”
McLaod added, “I’m excited to join Great Wolf Resorts, a dynamic company that is in the middle of a significant growth phase and is constantly recognized for its people-driven culture and high-performing teams. I’m honored to be a part of the pack and to help contribute to this company’s continued success.”
Prior to joining Great Wolf Resorts, McLeod served as CFO for the publicly listed company Citycon, an owner of 33 grocery-anchored shopping centers with more than 250 employees throughout the Nordic region. Prior to Citycon, he was cofounder/managing partner/CFO of Lakewood Hotel Group, a private investment firm that specialized in hotel investments for institutional investment partners. Prior to forming Lakewood, McLeod spent most of his career with Host Hotels & Resorts, where he last served as SVP/treasurer/head of strategy and investor relations.
McLeod will be based at Great Wolf Resorts’ corporate headquarters in Chicago and is in the process of relocating from Stockholm.
