Hyatt Undergoes Top-Level Shake-Up

CHICAGO, IL— In line with the Global Hyatt initiative begun last fall, a wide-ranging series of management moves were announced at Hyatt today to better define its U.S. and international hotel management operations. Shedding further light on internal executive changes initially reported by HOTEL BUSINESS® last week, Thomas Pritzker— chairman/CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp. parent Hyatt Corp. as well as Hyatt International Corp. parent AIC Holding Co.— has appointed Doug Geoga president of Hyatt Corp. and AIC Holding Co. Both of these two entities are wholly owned by various Pritzker-family business interests. Reporting directly to Tom Pritzker, Geoga— a 20-year Hyatt veteran— most recently served as president of the Hospitality Investment Fund LLC, another entity wholly owned by the Pritzker family. In his new role, Geoga’s responsibilities will include direction of the Global Hyatt initiative. Nicholas Pritzker, vice chairman of Hyatt Corp. and AIC Holdings Co. and chairman of Hyatt’s executive committee, will also be involved in supervising the Global Hyatt initiative, as well as continuing his current involvement in global development projects. In another move, it was noted Bernd Chorengel— a 33-year Hyatt employee— will continue to serve as president of Hyatt International Corp. and a member of the board of directors of Hyatt International Corp. He will also become a member of the board of directors of Hyatt Hotels Corp. Additionally, Scott Miller— who had served as president of Hyatt Hotels Corp. since 2000— was appointed vice chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corp. where he will act as an advisor to the Global Hyatt Program. And in a related move, Edward Rabin— another 33-year veteran with the organization— was named president of Hyatt Hotels Corp. He was previously evp/COO of Hyatt Hotels Corp. Elsewhere, Thomas O’Toole was named senior vp/strategy and systems of the parent companies of both Hyatt Hotels Corp. and Hyatt International Corp. Formerly senior vp/marketing and information technology of Hyatt Hotels Corp. O’Toole will now direct the information technology, distribution strategy and related functions of both companies. Also, Kirk Rose was named senior vp/finance of the parent companies of both Hyatt Hotels Corp. and Hyatt International Corp. Now charged with overseeing the finance and accounting functions of both companies, Rose was previously senior vp/finance of Hyatt Hotels Corp. Moreover, as HOTEL BUSINESS® reported last week, Steven Goldman has similarly been named evp/development and acquisitions of the parent companies of both Hyatt Hotels Corp. and Hyatt International Corp., where he will oversee the development and acquisition activities of both companies. Goldman most recently served as evp of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and was previously employed by Hyatt Development Corp. from 1986 – 1990. In line with Goldman’s return to the Hyatt fold, Kevin Mallory— senior vp for Hyatt Development Corp.— is expected to leave his position with the organization in the near future. At this time, he told HOTEL BUSINESS® his future plans are “uncertain.” In the final analysis, it was pointed out Chorengel, Miller, Rabin, Goldman, O’Toole and Rose will each report to Geoga. Hyatt Hotels Corp. operates 123 Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, while Hyatt International Corp. operates 84 Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in 39 countries throughout the world.