Achim LendersLenders, who most recently served as Corporate Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, will oversee the alignment and development of Starwood’s multi- billion dollar global food and beverage strategy, reporting to John Peyton, Senior Vice President of Global Initiatives. In his new role, Lenders will lead the creation and execution of strategies to enhance Starwood’s critically acclaimed restaurant, bar and banquet operations across nearly 1300 restaurants and 930 bars in 100 countries. He will also lead Starwood’s Global Food and Beverage Council, driving the implementation of consistent systems and best-in-class practices across all nine Starwood brands. Lenders’ arrival at Starwood marks an important step in his more than 30-year food and beverage career that spans international positions both in and out of the kitchen. Born and raised in Germany, Lenders worked in a number of local German restaurants after culinary school, eventually joining Hyatt in 1988 as Chef de Cuisine in Australia. After holding various Executive Chef positions for Hyatt properties in Brazil, China, Japan, and the Philippines, Lenders joined Hyatt’s corporate team in 2005 as Director of Food & Beverage, and rose through the ranks to hold increasingly senior management positions, including Vice President- Corporate Chef of Hyatt North America, and Vice President, International Food & Beverage.