The award is presented each year to the lodging industry CEO who offers the best value to shareholders based on a Pay-for-Performance model designed by Kefgen. The model compares CEO compensation to such indicators as stock appreciation, market capitalization, and increases in EBITDA or FFO, to determine the top-performing CEO.

Mr. McCarten founded DiamondRock Hospitality Company with three former Marriott International executives in 2004. Since then, the Company has leveraged its extensive lodging industry experience and relationships as well as its acquisition sourcing relationship with Marriott International to develop a very successful business. DiamondRock currently has an enterprise value exceeding $2.5 billion and owns twenty-one high-quality hotels.

Mr. McCarten retired from Marriott International in 2003 after nearly twenty-five years in a number of executive roles with Marriott and affiliated companies. Most recently, he was President of the Marriott Services Group and was responsible for Marriott’s Senior Living and Distribution businesses. Mr. McCarten also served as Chief Executive Officer of Host Marriott Services Corporation, a $2 billion NYSE company with over 25,000 employees and a leading developer and operator of restaurant and retail concessions in travel and entertainment venues.

"DiamondRock Hospitality has been one of the fastest-growing Hotel REITs since its inception in 2004. Bill has been instrumental in leading the company’s vision and growth strategy. Shareholders have been rewarded handsomely under Bill’s leadership," says Kefgen.

For more information, please visit www.diamondrockhospitality.com.