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Appointment

Matthew Avril has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Starwood Vacation Ownership ("SVO")

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced plans to spin-off its vacation ownership business, Starwood Vacation Ownership ("SVO"), into a separate publicly traded company. Matthew Avril, who retired as President of Starwood's Hotel Group in 2012, will return to lead the new company as Chief Executive Officer following completion of the spin-off. Stephen Williams will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer. Avril, 54, began his career with Starwood in 1989 through Vistana, Inc., the original predecessor to SVO. During his tenure with SVO he served as both Chief Financial Officer and subsequently as Co-President. He became President of Starwood's Hotel Group in 2008 with oversight responsibility for the company's global hotel operations for all nine of Starwood's brands and its Global Sales Organization. Throughout his tenure, Starwood's hotel business experienced significant market share gains and record high associate engagement. He also contributed to Starwood's success as a global enterprise, driving key initiatives and best practices across all geographies.

Starwood
Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Ron Kerere has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Orlando World Center Marriott

As a leader in the global hospitality industry, Orlando World Center Marriott is proud to announce the appointment of Ron Kerere as Director of Food & Beverage to its distinguished culinary team. In this role, Ron will oversee all food and beverage operations for the hotel's 2,009 guestrooms and suites, 10 diverse and seasonally-inspired restaurants and lounges, as well as a multi-million dollar banquet operation for the 450,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space. A native to Virginia, hailing from a small town near Washington, D.C., Ron brings a wealth of culinary experience, and a noteworthy education gained at Radford University, Va. Ron's resume also touts quality industry experience as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage at Morongo Resort in Cabazon, Calif., Beverage Manager at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. and Assistant Beverage Manager at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino in Henderson, Nev. Most recently, Ron was General Manager of Gaylord Opryland Attractions in Nashville, Tenn., leading his team to achieve remarkable results in the areas of guest service, STAR satisfaction and financial success. Over the course of his career, Ron was notably the recipient of the Gaylord Opryland's 2010 Excellence in Leadership Award and winner of the 2014 Hedgehog Award.

Marriott
Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Robert Stanfield has been named General Manager at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

Stanfield joined Omni Hotels in 2013 as director of operations for Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate and shortly after was promoted to resort manager, a position he held until this recent promotion. "During his time at ChampionsGate, the resort has seen consistent high guest satisfaction ratings as a direct result of his leadership skills," said Stephen Rosenstock, senior vice president of Operations of Omni Hotels & Resorts. "We are pleased to wish Robert much success in his new role with Omni Hotels & Resorts."

Omni
Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Dawn Walzak has been appointed as Director of Sales at Hilton Orlando

As director of sales, Walzak will oversee all group sales activities including the development of and business transactions for the 1,400-room equal parts business and leisure hotel which encompasses more than 250,000 square feet of meeting and event space including a 50,000 square foot outdoor Promenade. Most recently at Tishman Hotel Corporation, she was directly involved in the sales, marketing and revenue strategy of the hotel and resort portfolio of multiple brands including Westin, Sheraton, InterContinental, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard, Four Points, Radisson, Doubletree, Ramada, among other boutique and independent properties.

Hilton
Orlando, Florida, United States
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Appointment

Tom Petrillo has been appointed as General Manager at JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes

Tom Petrillo has recently been appointed General Manager of JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. In this position he will oversee operations of the hotel, which includes 1,000 guest rooms, over 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space, and 65,000 square feet of outdoor function space, including the resort's Whisper Creek Farm event space. A leader in the hospitality industry, Mr. Petrillo most recently served as Hotel Manager at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando where he led a $50-million renovation, and the resort's transition to the Marriott International portfolio.

Marriott
Orlando, Florida, United States
Supplier News Technology

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort Implements InvoTech RFID Uniform System

InvoTech Systems, Inc. announced Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort has implemented the InvoTech UHF-RFID Uniform System to automate management of the property's more than 7,000 custom uniforms. The InvoTech Uniform System reduces labor expenses associated with manual handling and increases employee accountability with automated uniform tracking. The Orlando resort is the ninth Four Seasons resort that utilizes InvoTech's Uniform System.

Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Barb Bowden has been appointed as Director of Operations at Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando

Orlando hotel, hospitality and meetings industry veteran Barb Bowden has been named managing director of operations for Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando. Bowden brings extensive experience and knowledge managing the day-to-day operations of large-scale hotel properties. Prior to joining Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, Bowden served as general manager of the Orange County Convention Center, the second largest convention and tradeshow facility in the United States. Before that, she spent 27 years with The Peabody Orlando, starting as a front desk supervisor and working her way through the ranks to become general manager in 2010, and then vice president in 2013. Bowden is a cum laude graduate of Missouri State University. She is a current Executive Committee Member of the Americas Board of Directors of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International.

Loews
Orlando, Florida, United States