Leading Hotel Management Company Changes Name to Marshall Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

SALISBURY, MD– A major mid-sized hotel management company has taken a new name to reflect its growth over the past five years and a broader range of services.

Maryland-based Marshall Management is now Marshall Hotels & Resorts, Inc. In addition, the company announced that it has moved to new, larger headquarters in Salisbury, Maryland.

“We have essentially doubled in size over the past five years and now operate 48 hotels, with a total asset value in excess of $750 million,” said Michael Marshall, (top left photo) president and CEO of Marshall Hotels & Resorts.

“Our range of hotels now extends from limited-service to four-star branded and independent hotels and resorts.

"We also have an active development and renovation division, as well as provide a variety of back-of-the-house services, including asset management; accounting; sales, marketing and advertising, insurance programs, consulting; and a host of other services.

"While a somewhat subtle name change, it better communicates who we are and our role as a major, full-service hotel management and services organization.”

“We founded the company based on the idea of providing true hands-on service by a highly experienced senior management team,” said Chuck Marshall, (top right photo) chairman of Marshall Hotels & Resorts.

“That founding principle hasn’t changed in our 29-year-history. We’ve become more sophisticated and added depth, but our core values remain the same.

"Our strategy for success also remains the same: providing experienced property-level operators backed by strong strategic direction and support from a seasoned senior management team, who are involved on an on-going basis.”

The company’s new headquarters facilities encompass 9, 000 square feet, nearly 30 percent more than the company’s previous headquarters. “We literally were bursting at the seams, and now we have room for additional expansion,” Marshall said.

The new address for Marshall Hotels & Resorts is:

1315 South Division Street
Salisbury, Maryland 21804
Phone: (410) 749-8464
http://www.marshallhotels.com/

Contacts:

Rick Day, Senior Vice President – Sales and Marketing, Marshall Hotels & Resorts, (410)749-8464, rday@marshallhotels.com

Jerry Daly, media, Daly Gray Public Relations, (703) 435-6293, jerry@dalygray.com

Starwood's Eva Ziegler assumes top role for W Hotels

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has announced the appointment of Eva Ziegler (top right photo) as Global Brand Leader for W Hotels Worldwide.

In her new role, Vienna-born Ziegler will be responsible for leading the global development and growth strategy for the innovative and category-busting W Hotels Worldwide.

With 10 years of proven success, largely in North America, W Hotels will triple its footprint by 2011, assuming its role on the global stage with properties scheduled to open in primary, vibrant international markets from Paris to Milan, Barcelona to London, Santiago to Vieques Island, Dubai to Doha, Hollywood to South Beach, and Shanghai to Bali.

In addition to overseeing the global launch of W Hotels, Ziegler will continue in her role leading Le Méridien as the brand continues its re-launch globally. As Global Brand Leader for the two contemporary design-led brands, Ziegler will define the vision and brand strategy across all disciplines.

Marcus & Millichap Names Scott Lamontagne Regional Manager of Encino, CA Office

ENCINO, CA– Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Scott Lamontagne (top right photo) regional manager of the firm’s Encino office and Western Director of the firm’s Special Assets Services (SAS) division, according to Harvey E. Green, (top left photo) president and chief executive officer.

“Scott continues to excel as a manager and real estate investment market expert,” explains Green. “In only seven years, he has risen from the post of associate in the Dallas office to regional manager of the firm’s Encino office, where our corporate headquarters is based,” adds Green.

“Because of his investment expertise, ability to execute transactions and excellent relationships with investor and lender clients, Scott will thrive as the firm’s Western Director of the SAS division,” says Bernard J. Haddigan, (bottom right photo) a senior vice president and managing director, who also serves as the National Director of the firm’s Special Assets Services division.

Lamontagne served as the regional manager of Marcus & Millichap’s Los Angeles office since November 2007.

He joined the firm in August 2003 as an investment specialist in the Dallas office and became sales manager of that office in June 2007.

In 2006, Lamontagne was named a director of the National Multi Housing Group, achieved senior associate status and became a member of the firm’s Seven Figure Club. He has also won a number of prestigious internal sales awards from the firm.

Lamontagne is a graduate of the University of Kansas where he received a bachelor’s degree in business communications. Previous to joining the firm, he was the owner of a retail franchise in Tampa, Fla., a business-to-business call center in St. Louis and a small investment company in Dallas.

Press Contact: Stacey Corso, Communications Department, (925) 953-1716

Jin Lee Joins Thayer Lodging Group as Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Thayer Lodging Group announces that Jin Lee (top right photo) has joined the company as a managing director and will serve as its chief investment officer.

In his new role, he will be responsible for sourcing, due diligence, negotiating and structuring transactions.

“Jin brings extensive hotel investment expertise, with 19 years in the industry, in acquisitions, financing, development and dispositions, having been involved in more than $2 billion of transactions in his career,” said Leland Pillsbury, (top left photo) Thayer Lodging’s CEO and co-chairman.

“He will play a major role in our growth as we seek ways to take advantage of the current economic climate. We have considerable equity available, and believe we will be one of only a small group of serious investors in 2009.”

“We believe the opportunity for hotel acquisitions will increase substantially over the next 12 to 18 months, and we intend to be a major investor,” added Bruce Wiles, (middle right photo) Thayer’s chief operating officer.

“Our focus remains on finding complex projects where we believe we can add substantial value through repositioning, rebranding and possibly changing management."

Prior to joining Thayer Lodging Group, Lee was senior vice president of acquisitions and development at HEI Hotels & Resorts, where he was involved in $1.5 billion of transactions, personally closing on $500 million in acquisitions.

Previously, he served as vice president of acquisitions and development at Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group. Before that, he served as director of development planning and feasibility at Marriott International and vice president at HVS International.

Lee is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and has an MBA from the University of California, Irvine. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Cornell Hotel Society.

Lee will fill the role formerly held by Bill Reynolds (bottom left photo) who remains an advisory director and will maintain an advisory role with the company. “Bill has taken on development responsibilities for his alma mater, Trinity College. He added value to our portfolio during his tenure and we applaud him for his commitment to Trinity,” Pillsbury noted.

About Thayer Lodging Group

Annapolis, Maryland-based Thayer Lodging Group is a privately held, real estate venture capital operating company with a portfolio of 14 hotels consisting of more than 2,800 guest rooms.

Formed in 1991, the firm has sponsored five hotel investment funds for investors and has a portfolio of hotels operating under the Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham and Six Continents brands.

Additional information about the company may be found at http://www.thayerlodging.com/.

Contact: Chris Daly or Jerry Daly 703 435-6293, chris@dalygray.com, jerry@dalygray.com