Richard A. Burton Joins Host Marriott as Vice President and General Tax Counsel

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 28 / Host Marriott Corporation HMT announced that Richard A. Burton has joined the company in a newly created position as Senior Vice President and General Tax Counsel. Mr. Burton previously worked as Senior Tax Counsel for Mobil Oil Corporation. Prior to joining Mobil, Mr. Burton practiced tax law with the law firm of Sutherland, Asbill, & Brennan of Washington, D.C. Mr. Burton also served as Attorney- Advisor to the United States Tax Court.

"Richard Burton brings to Host Marriott a depth of experience from both the public and private tax sectors," stated Robert E. Parsons, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "He will play a significant role in helping us continue our successful growth. We had a record year in 1996, investing in nearly $1.5 billion of quality full service hotels. In addition, Host Marriott raised close to a billion dollars in the public markets.

"We are already off to a great start in 1997, closing on over $300 million of hotel properties. We will continue to grow by acquiring high quality assets and converting them to the Marriott brand, as well as investing in other limited partnerships, and Ritz-Carlton Hotels. Mr. Burton's tax expertise will be extremely valuable to our company. We are pleased to have him join our team," added Mr. Parsons.

Mr. Burton received his Juris Doctor Degree from University of Utah School of Law and a Master's of Law Degree from the Boston University School of Law. He and his family reside in North Potomac, Md.

Host Marriott is a lodging real estate company which currently owns or holds controlling interests in 81 upscale and luxury full-service hotel properties operated primarily under the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton brand names. The company also serves as general partner and holds minority interests in various unconsolidated partnerships that own 251 lodging properties, 31 of which are full-service hotels.