WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. HOT announced today that it has named David K. Norton as Executive Vice President Human Resources effective May 1. Mr. Norton was Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Frito-Lay North America, an $8 billion snack food division of Pepsico, Inc.

In his new position, Mr. Norton will have leadership responsibility for worldwide human resources of Starwood overseeing organization design, management development, staffing, compensation and benefits, labor and employee relations, training and executive recruitment. He will report to Robert F. Cotter, Chief Operating Officer of Starwood.

"Dave's large company domestic and international experience and strong organizational skills honed at Pepsico will be a tremendous plus to Starwood going forward," Mr. Cotter said.

Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO said, "The head of Human Resources is a very important position in our global service organization as we continue to refine our corporate culture. One of our corporate goals is to make Starwood one of the best places to work in America. We plan to achieve this by accelerating our initiatives on diversity, welfare to work programs, community service initiatives and associate recognition programs. Dave shares this commitment and vision."

Mr. Norton joined Pepsico in 1990 as Director, Human Resources. He was promoted to his current position in 1996. Prior to joining Pepsico, Mr. Norton was Director, Human Resources for Quaker Oats Company in Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Norton earned a B.S. degree with honors in Business Administration from Michigan State University and attended an advanced executive program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business.

Mr. Norton, his wife and five children will relocate from Texas to the White Plains, New York area.

Starwood, through its subsidiaries, owns, manages and franchises hotels under its St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points and W brands. Starwood is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 700 hotels in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.