Peter Kretschmann has been named general manager of the 2,085-room Hilton New York & Towers, succeeding Arthur Surin, who has retired after 32 years with the company.

Kretschmann most recently served as general manager of the Hilton Pasadena, where he oversaw the complete renovation of the hotel. He reports to Hilmar Rosenast, senior vice president, Hilton Hotels Corp., and executive vice president-select hotels.

A 21-year Hilton veteran, Kretschmann has served as general manager of such notable Hilton properties as the Hilton Beverly Hills, from 1994 to 1998; the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., from 1991 to 1994; and the Hilton Miami Airport, from 1987 to 1991.

In the `80s, Kretschmann served as resident manager at the Fontainebleau Hilton and Resort in Miami Beach and the Hilton Miami Airport, and was executive assistant manager of the Hilton New York.

He began his career with Hilton Hotels in 1979 as director of food, beverage and catering at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport. From 1970 to 1978, Kretschmann held a variety of catering and food and beverage positions for Hilton International hotels in Europe and the Middle East. He is fluent in English and German, and also speaks French and Spanish.

Hilton Hotels is recognized internationally as a pre-eminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises 1,800 hotels, resorts and vacation-ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world`s best-known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Harrison Conference Centers(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Homewood Suites(R) by Hilton, Red Lion Hotels & Inns(R) and Conrad International(R).

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