La Quinta Announces Election of Directors at Annual Meetings

Press Release: The La Quinta Companies
July 2, 2001
DALLAS, TX -- The La Quinta Companies (``La Quinta'' or ``the Companies''), formerly known as The Meditrust Companies, announced that at the annual meetings of shareholders held June 28 in Dallas, Francis W. Cash and William G. Byrnes were each elected to three-year terms as directors of both La Quinta Properties, Inc. and La Quinta Corporation. In other business, the Companies approved the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditors for 2001. At the conclusion of the meetings, Mr. Cash delivered a presentation to shareholders. A copy of the investor presentation is available on the Companies' website, http://www.laquinta.com, under the Investor Relations link.

Mr. Cash has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Companies since April 2000. Prior to joining La Quinta, Mr. Cash was the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director of Mariner Healthcare Group, Inc. Before that, Mr. Cash served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Red Roof Inns, Inc. Before joining Red Roof, Mr. Cash was the President and Chief Operating Officer of NovaCare, Inc. In addition, Mr. Cash served in a number of senior executive positions for 18 years at Marriott Corporation, most recently as President, Marriott Service Group.

Mr. Byrnes was appointed a Director in 1998. Mr. Brynes was a Distinguished Professor of Finance at Georgetown University and, before that, was associated with Alex. Brown and Sons, investment bankers. Mr. Byrnes is currently a Financial Consultant and Private Investor and is a Director of JDN Realty Corporation, a Director of Security Capital Preferred Growth Incorporated and non-executive Chairman of Pulpfree, Inc.

About The La Quinta Companies

The La Quinta Companies (NYSE: LQI ), headquartered in Dallas, Texas, consist of La Quinta Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust, and La Quinta Corporation. La Quinta owns, operates or franchises 229 Inns and 72 Inn & Suites in 29 states. The Companies' real estate holdings also include 94 assisted living facilities, 11 long-term care facilities, four medical office buildings and nine other healthcare facilities. Today's news release, as well as other news about La Quinta, is available on the Internet at http://www.laquinta.com.

SOURCE: The La Quinta Companies