Two next-gens join Carlson board

It was a case of in with the old and out with the new at Carlson this month, as two next-gens replaced older family members at the travel and hospitality company.

Barbara Carlson Gage, the daughter of the family business’s founder Curtis Carlson, and her brother-in-law Glen Nelson both stepped down after a combined 40 years on the board.

Their replacements were named as Geoffrey Gage, 45, and 43-year-old Wendy Nelson, grandchildren of the founder.

"We are pleased to welcome two of the next generation of the Carlson family to the board of directors,” said Carlson chairman and family member Marilyn Carlson Nelson.

Both next-gens have already served on a number of boards, including Carlson Holdings, the family’s holding company.

Geoffrey also runs his own branding agency, while Wendy previously worked for Carlson in a number of senior roles until stepping down a few years ago. During her time at the business, she led the US real estate procurement and investment programme for its TGI Friday’s brand, opening 36 new restaurants and tripling its growth rate in just one year, according to the company.

The news comes just weeks after Carlson Nelson told CampdenFB that the business expected greater next-generation involvement in the board this year.

As well as TGI Friday’s, the company’s brands include Radisson and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. It reported 2011 system-wide sales, including franchises, of $38 billion (€28.6 billion), while consolidated revenues increased by 8% to $4.5 billion.