Joseph D. Strodel Jr. has been named director of corporate relations at Cornell's School of Hotel Administration, a newly created position. Strodel had been managing director of the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) at the Hotel School since 2001.

In his new post he will develop and enhance the school's corporate relationships and design, plan and implement its corporate strategy. Among his responsibilities are facilitating the visits of executives to enrich the school's curriculum and increasing support from corporate sources. He also will continue to oversee the CHR's partners, sponsors and friends program, which unites scholars and business executives in resolving strategic, managerial and operational issues in the field of hospitality.

"We are delighted that Joe has accepted the position of director of corporate relations," said Cathy Enz, associate dean of industry research and affairs and the Lewis G. Schaeneman Jr. Professor of Innovation and Dynamic Management at the Hotel School. "He is an extraordinarily talented manager, and I'm looking forward to working with him in this new capacity."

Strodel, who helped the CHR acquire 44 corporate affiliates, has 20 years of experience in business development, corporate relations, communications and marketing. Before joining Cornell, he was chief operating officer of Healthcare Information Provider and held management positions in marketing and business development at Georgetown University and the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. He also was a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.