Linus Raines

Raines Directs Excelsior’s Future

As general manager of Arkansas’ Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock, Linus Raines has supervised a $3 million renovation of the hotel, expanded the hotel’s services and attracted conventions from across the nation.

Last year, the hotel provided facilities for about 500,000 people attending meetings there, 600 convention groups, and catered about 325,000 meals.

Another $5 million renovation is being planned. The work includes upgrading the public areas, guest rooms and meeting facilities. Raines also plans to devote another floor of rooms to corporate travelers who need special accommodations.

“I have such a passion for problem-solving and working with people,” she says. “Every day is a new picture.”

Raines has worked at the hotel since 1983. She became general manager in 1990. Since then, the hotel staff has grown from about 300 employees to 475.

She also has been active in supporting community projects such as providing job opportunities to developmentally disabled people. The Excelsior has been a pilot program for HIRE Inc., which helps handicapped people find work. Raines is on the board of directors for HIRE and was named the organization’s supporter of the year in November.

In September, she will become the first woman to receive the prestigious Top Manager of the Year award from the Sales and Marketing Executives International Association. Past recipients have included Sam Walton and Charles Morgan.

“I believe the Excelsior Hotel is a major part of the community,” she says. “It’s equally important that we get involved and give back to the community.”

Raines’ professional and civic involvements include chairwoman of the Arkansas Hospitality Association, president of the Arkansas Lodging Association, one of three women on the board of directors for the American Hotel/Motel Association and the only woman on the executive international board of CEOs from Southern States and Japan.

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