BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(// BUSINESS WIRE //)--Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) announced today that Craig Mance has been named senior vice president – franchise development for the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico, according to Bill Fortier, recently named senior vice president - development for the Americas responsible for developing both the managed and franchised businesses in the region.
Mance will be responsible for franchise development of Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton. He also will oversee management agreements for these brands when they are less than 325 rooms and do not include financial investment by HHC. A 29-year Hilton veteran, Mance previously served as vice president – franchise development, HHC, for the northeastern region and Canada, a position he held since 2000. From 1992 to 1999, he served as vice president - real estate development for the company, and held a variety of development and operations positions between 1979 and 1992.
"Craig's efforts, combined with the entire franchise development team, have contributed greatly to our current development pipeline of more than 1,000 hotels and 139,000 rooms across the Hilton Family of Hotels -- among the highest in the industry," said Fortier. "Craig is a strong leader and respected industry veteran. I am delighted that he will take on a greater role in the company's development efforts and will continue to foster strong owner relations and lead our team to achieve significant results in our franchised and management businesses."
Assuming Mance's previous role as vice president – franchise development, northeastern region & Canada will be Thomas Lorenzo, who previously served as senior director – franchise development for this same region. "Tom has done a terrific job leading our development efforts in the northeastern part of the U.S. and in eastern Canada. He is in a great position to lead the northeast team as we move through the current lodging development cycle."
Rounding out the development team, Ted Middleton will continue in his role as senior vice president - managed development with responsibility for all luxury development in the Americas, including the Waldorf=Astoria Hotels and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brands. Middleton will also oversee managed and franchise development in Central and South America and managed deals 325 rooms or greater or that involve financial investment by HHC in North America for all full-service brands.
Additionally, Dianne (Innes) Jaskulske, vice president - owner relations within the asset management area, now will report to Fortier in development. Jaskulske's responsibilities will include working with existing owners and the Hilton team to ensure effective responsiveness and communications with all ownership groups, complete contractual negotiations, oversee the change of ownership process, negotiate renewals for managed hotels, and assist the development team in obtaining new business from our existing owners. "I am excited about adding Dianne to our team. Her relationships with our owners and others in the industry provide added value for both owners and the company as she adds an important point of contact."
About Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton Hotels Corporation is a 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.
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