Hospitality Net

HONOLULU | Hilton Hotels Corporation announced today that long-time Hawaii hotel executive Jerry Gibson has been named area vice president of Hawaii and managing director of Hilton Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort & Spa. Gibson will have operational responsibility for all of Hilton’s owned and managed properties in the Hawaiian Islands, including two of Hilton’s largest campuses, Hilton Hawaiian Village and Hilton Waikoloa Village.

Gibson brings nearly three decades of experience working with four and five-star Hyatt resorts and hotels across the United States and most recently served as vice president and managing director of the 2,019-room Hyatt Regency Chicago and assisted in the management of 25 hotels in the central region.

Gibson started his career with Host Marriott following graduation from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in business administration. After he became one of the youngest general managers in the company, he joined the Hyatt Corporation where he remained for the next 27 years. Coming up from the ranks of food and beverage, Gibson spent 13 years as general manager at resorts throughout Ohio, Illinois, Hawaii, Nevada, and New York. While in Hawaii, he played a major role in the launch of a 1,240-room resort, which is known today as the Hilton Waikoloa Village.

It was his efforts at Hyatt Regency Kauai to maintain steady occupancy and revenue in the aftermath of September 11 that earned him the 2002 Donald Pritzker Award for Hyatt General Manager of the Year worldwide.

A very active member of the Hawaii community, he was on the board of directors of the Hawaii Hotel Association, also serving as president of its Kauai chapter. He was a member of the founding board of directors for the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative and was instrumental in the development and eventual funding of the KIUC. He was also a director for the Kauai Visitors Bureau and was president of the Poipu Beach Resort Association.

"Hawaii is a strategic market for Hilton and we believe we have found the perfect leader for our Hawaiian resorts in Jerry Gibson" said Ian Carter, president global operations, Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Jerry has spent the majority of his hospitality career on the islands and understands the critical needs of the business there as well as the uniqueness of Hawaii and its people.”

Gibson replaces Gerhard (Gary) Seibert who retired earlier this year after an exceptional 35-year career with Hilton.

About Hilton Family Hawaii
The Hilton Family of Hotels in Hawaii spans four diverse islands—The Big Island of Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai. Like colors of the rainbow, the islands are host to an equally diverse group of corporate-owned, managed and franchised Hilton®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Doubletree® and Waldorf=Astoria Collection® properties, including the Hilton brand’s largest campus, Hilton Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort & Spa. For reservations, call 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667) or visit HiltonFamilyHawaii.com.

About Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 hotels and 500,000 rooms in 74 countries and territories, with more than 135,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands including Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations™, Homewood Suites by Hilton® and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection™.

Hilton Hotels Corporation is an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, which will extend through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the 2010/2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and the 2011 U.S. Pan American Team.

The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton’s philosophy that, “It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality.” The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity. For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonfamily.com.