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Trudy Rautio, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Carlson, is responsible for directing all financial operations of the company. In addition, she is part of the company's Executive Leadership Committee and reports directly to Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and CEO.
Prior to her current position, Trudy served as president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, The Americas, with overall responsibility for the operation and growth of the company's five hotel brands in North and South America. The brands include Regent Hotels & Resorts; Radisson Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson; and Park Inn. Trudy also oversaw support areas for the organization; including management services, sales, marketing and distribution, human resources, public relations, technology, finance, and planning and acquisitions.
Previously, Trudy served a dual role as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Carlson Consumer Group plus chief administrative officer of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide. In that role, she was responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies and policies for Carlson Consumer Group which included all of Carlson's operations and brands in hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise ships and leisure travel agencies. She was also instrumental in leading the planning and implementation of several key initiatives including a Carlson program called "greatwork," designed to increase effectiveness and efficiencies of processes throughout the organization.
In 2007, Trudy was named an Outstanding Alumni of Bemidji State University. In 2005 she was recognized by the Minnesota-based business publication, The Business Journal, as a Woman Changemaker. Trudy also received the Corporate Woman of achievement award by the National Association of Women Business Owners' (NAWBO) Minneapolis Chapter in 2004. The NAWBO award recognizes women for their leadership, accomplishments and outstanding contributions to their companies. In 2003, Trudy was honored with a Carlson Fellows award for special achievement. The Carlson Fellows award represents the company's highest career achievement honor and is presented to employees who best exemplify the qualities of leadership, creativity and dedication and who are considered to be true builders of the company. Trudy has a well-earned reputation with peers and industry experts and was named one of the top women in finance in 2001 by another Minnesota-based business publication Finance and Commerce.
Prior to joining Carlson, Trudy was senior vice president and chief financial officer of Jostens, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis. She also served as vice president of finance for Minneapolis-based Pillsbury Co.
Trudy serves on the board of directors for Securian Holding Company and is also a board member of HIRED, a nonprofit organization that assists the unemployed. She is active in several finance-related organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Institute of Management Accountants, and Financial Executives Institute.
A graduate of Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn., Trudy holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of St. Thomas, Twin Cities. In addition, she is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant. | 