Kenneth M. Smith, former general manager of the Hilton Chicago & Towers, has been named senior vice president, east, for Hilton Hotels Corp.

He reports to company senior vice president and executive vice president-hotel division-hotel operations Stevan D. Porter.

In his new capacity, Smith, a 31-year veteran of Hilton, oversees the operation of some 75 properties in the eastern half of the United States. He is based in the company`s Eastern Regional Office in Memphis, Tenn.

Replacing Smith as general manager of the 1,543-room Hilton Chicago & Towers is Thomas J. Loughlin, a 21-year veteran of Hilton Hotels Corp. Loughlin most recently served as general manager of the Hilton Minneapolis & Towers, a position held since 1996. His prior assignments with Hilton have included positions at such well known properties as the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City and the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort and Towers in Miami Beach, Fla.

J. Peter Lynn has been named general manager of the Hilton Chicago O`Hare Airport. Lynn most recently served as general manager of the Hilton Seattle Airport, a position held since 1995. Prior positions with Hilton include resident manager of the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, and executive assistant manager and director of front office operations with Hilton Anaheim. Lynn is a 19-year Hilton veteran.

Hilton Hotels Corp. is recognized internationally as a preeminent 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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