Starwood Hotels & Resorts Supports Rapid Growth in Latin America with Two Strategic Appointments

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. HOT today announced two strategic appointments to support the company's rapidly expanding footprint in Latin America, where the company currently operates 96 hotels in 19 countries, with another 18 properties in the development pipeline. Jean-Marc Janod has been named Vice-President of Operations for Mexico, Central America & Caribbean and Ricardo Calo has been appointed Vice-President of Operations for South America, a new position created to support this important region for the company. Both will be members of Starwood's Latin America Senior Leadership Team and report to Jorge Giannattasio, Chief of Operations for the region.

A seasoned hotelier, Janod has been with Starwood for more than two decades and has served in key operational and executive roles at flagship hotels throughout the region. Most recently, he was the General Manager of Sheraton Mexico City Maria Isabel Hotel, one of the company's most iconic properties in the region, which began a multi-million dollar makeover under his leadership. Jean-Marc Janod succeeds Batya Brykman, who is set to retire at the end of May and will stay on as a consultant through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.

Calo has held several leadership positions for Starwood in the region over his decade-long career with the company, most recently as Managing Director of Operations for Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

"We are aggressively expanding our portfolio in dynamic markets throughout Latin America and expect to reach 150 hotels in the region by 2020," said Jorge Giannattasio, Senior Vice President and Chief of Operations for Starwood Latin America and the Caribbean. "To support this growth, it is essential that we continue to provide exceptional operational leadership and support to our owners, hotels, partners and associates. Jean-Marc and Ricardo will lead this charge along with a seasoned leadership team across the region, allowing us to deliver on the promise of providing guests with world-class hotels in Latin America."

Giannattasio added: "I would also like to thank Batya for her leadership over the last three decades and the critical role she played in making Mexico and Central America one of the fastest-growing regions for our organization. We wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement."

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,200 properties in some 100 countries and over 180,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood recently announced plans to spin off its Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. business, a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands, into a standalone public company by the end of 2015. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.