Mr. O'Brien, 39, was most recently with GE Capital Real Estate, where he held a number of leadership positions.  As a Managing Director, in various positions, he was responsible for e-commerce investments, the development of strategic alliances and new programs, and debt program management.  Prior to serving as a Managing Director, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Americas business unit of GE Capital Real Estate, with $8.0 billion in assets.  
Mr. O�Brien also previously worked with the GE Capital Corporation's Office of the Controller serving as an internal consultant on accounting and finance issues related to large and complex transactions, including business acquisitions.  Prior to his tenure with GE Capital Corp., he held management positions with J. P. Morgan Incorporated and KPMG Peat Marwick.

"We are extremely pleased to name Rick to the open CFO post,� said Thomas J. Corcoran, Jr., FelCor's President and Chief Executive Officer.  �His broad corporate finance experience with GE Capital Corporation brings substantial value to FelCor and its integration with MeriStar Hospitality Corporation.  He is a strong leader with significant experience in various types of debt and equity transactions."

Mr. O'Brien commented, "I am honored to join FelCor, and I look forward to working with Tom and the FelCor management team.   Under Tom's leadership, FelCor has significantly grown since the Company went public in 1994, and he has built a team with tremendous depth in the hotel industry.  I look forward to providing the leadership to the already strong finance function and contributing to the successful integration of MeriStar.  This position is a perfect fit for me."

FelCor's hotel portfolio consists of 186 hotels with nearly 50,000 rooms and suites and is concentrated primarily in the upscale and full-service segments. FelCor is the owner of the largest number of Embassy Suites®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn® and independently owned Doubletree®-branded hotels. Other leading hotel brands under which FelCor's hotels are operated include Sheraton Suites®, Sheraton® and Westin®.  FelCor has a current market capitalization of approximately $3.6 billion. 

With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this news release include "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws that are qualified by cautionary statements contained herein and in FelCor's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.