Red Lion Hotels & Inns®, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation, has named Marie Malloy, Arthur Sabo and Alex Chopra as Directors of Franchise Development for the brand.
These individuals will assist Red Lion Hotels & Inns in continuing its aggressive growth across the United States. Red Lion currently has 36 properties in its portfolio with plans to double its portfolio by year-end 2001 primarily by its franchising developments.
“The experience these individuals bring to our franchise development team is key to the continued growth of the Red Lion brand,” said Manfred BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - April 5, 2001 - Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced that Frank Passanante has been named vice president - sales and marketing for the company’s University Hotel & Conference Center division, according to Steve Armitage, senior vice president - sales for the company.
The University Hotel & Conference Center division is a unique collection of 20 dedicated conference hotels and campus-based hotels. Through the Hilton®, Doubletree® and Harrison Conference Centers® brands, this unique collection of properties has been tailored to create the perfect setting for meetings and academic and continuing education sessions.
“Frank`s understanding of the tremendous resources available through the Hilton Sales Worldwide organization will help fuel the growth of our well-respected collection of professional conference center and campus-based hotels,” said Armitage.
In his new position, Passanante is responsible for developing and executing strategic sales and marketing plans; overseeing and supporting new development initiatives for advertising and public relations efforts, and providing guidance and assistance to individual units in tapping into the Hilton Worldwide Sales organization.
“Frank`s efforts will be focused on brand development, while providing strong support to each property in the division,” added Jack Kealey, senior vice president - operations for the University Hotel & Conference Center division.
A 14-year Hilton veteran, Passanante most recently served as regional director of sales & marketing, mid-Atlantic region for Hilton Hotels Corporation from 2000 to 2001. Prior to that, he served as director of sales & marketing for the Hilton Washington and the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. from 1998 to 2000. Passanante previously served as director of sales & marketing for the Hilton Washington from 1995 to 1998 and the Hilton East Brunswick in New Jersey from 1993 to 1995. Earlier in his career, Passanante held sales positions with the Hilton Rye Town in New York and the Hilton in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort.
A native of Long Island, New York, Passanante holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University where he dual-majored in Hospitality Administration and Marketing. He is an active member in Meeting Planner International, the Professional Convention Management Association, the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives and, in his new role, will actively participate in the International Association of Conference Centers.
Passanante’s main office will remain in the Washington D.C. area. He also will have a satellite office at the division’s headquarters in Tarrytown, N.Y.
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