Press Release: Gaylord Entertainment Company
September 5, 2001
NASHVILLE, TN -- Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE:GET), the diversified hospitality and entertainment company whose
holdings include the Opryland Hotels and the Grand Ole Opry, yesterday announced that the Company has hired David
C. Kloeppel as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Kloeppel joins Gaylord Entertainment from Deutsche Bank, bringing extensive experience in finance, management,
and mergers and acquisitions. At Deutsche Bank, he was responsible for the mergers and acquisitions practice in
real estate, lodging and leisure in the United States, completing more than $21 billion in transactions for clients
such as Promus Hotel Corporation and FelCor Lodging Trust Inc.
``We are very excited to welcome David Kloeppel to Gaylord Entertainment,'' said Colin Reed, president and chief
executive officer. ``David's skill-set in the areas of finance and mergers and acquisitions will be integral to
Gaylord Entertainment's success as we seek to build and grow the Company. I have worked with David on a number
of engagements, and he is a smart, focused and result-oriented team player.''
``Gaylord Entertainment represents a great opportunity to enhance a respected brand and to continue to build the
top franchise in the hospitality and entertainment industry,'' Kloeppel said. ``I am delighted to join this first-class
management team that is focused on enhancing shareholder value. We expect to achieve great success and growth for
the company and its shareholders.''
Kloeppel joins the recently appointed Carter Todd, general counsel, and Karen Spacek, senior vice president, systems
and communications, as the newest member of the Gaylord Entertainment executive team. Kloeppel earned an MBA from
Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management, graduating with highest honors. He received his Bachelor
of Science degree from Vanderbilt University, majoring in economics. Kloeppel and his family will relocate to Nashville
from New York City.
This press release contains statements as to the company's beliefs and expectations of the outcome of future events
that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
statements made. Factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in the filings
made from time to time by Gaylord Entertainment with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Gaylord Entertainment
does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements made by it to
reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Gaylord Entertainment is a diversified entertainment company headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and its stock is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: GET). Its businesses operate in two groups: Hospitality & Attractions,
and Music, Media & Entertainment. Among its businesses are the Opryland Hotels, the Grand Ole Opry, Acuff-Rose
Music Publishing, Word Entertainment and WSM Radio.
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Contact:
Gaylord Entertainment, Nashville
Karen Spacek, 615/316-6126 (Media)
E-mail: kspacek@gaylordentertainment.com
or
Dan O'Connor, 212/446-1865 (Media)
E-mail: doconnor@sloanepr.com
or
J. Russell Worsham, 615/316-6564 (Investor)
E-mail: rworsham@gaylordentertainment.com