Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today David Udell will
serve as Group President – ASPAC, effective July 1, 2014. Udell, who
will be based in Hyatt’s regional office in Hong Kong, will join the
company’s executive team and report to Mark Hoplamazian, president and
chief executive officer.
David Udell, Group President - ASPAC, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (Photo: Business Wire)
“David has the skills and experience necessary to lead Hyatt’s growth in
ASPAC,” Hoplamazian said. “Most importantly, he demonstrates all the
attributes of a leader at Hyatt. He has a long history of caring for his
colleagues and a commitment to achieving the best results for our
business. His 32 years in our ASPAC operations, coupled with his recent
contributions to the Global Operations Center in Chicago, set the stage
for Hyatt, under David’s leadership, to grow our brands in some of the
world’s most vibrant markets.”
In his new role, Udell will oversee all of Hyatt’s activities in the
region, which includes 12 countries, more than 26,000 colleagues, and a
portfolio that currently consists of 61 managed, franchised and owned
properties. He will lead the ASPAC development team, which is charged
with increasing the company’s brand presence in key ASPAC markets. Udell
will also be responsible for the successful operation of all of Hyatt’s
hotels in the region.
“I am looking forward to the excitement and challenge of leading the
great team in ASPAC as we continue to expand into markets where our
guests want to travel,” Udell said. “I will be very focused on
supporting Hyatt’s purpose of care – through my relationships with each
of my colleagues, our loyal guests, and longtime owners – while
remaining keenly aware of our need to attract and develop great talent.”
Udell most recently served as senior vice president, operations in
Hyatt’s Global Operations Center. Previously, he led Hyatt’s operations
in the ASPAC region from its Hong Kong office for 11 years. Udell also
held other leadership roles in the region, including general manager of
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and opening general manager at Park Hyatt Tokyo,
which will celebrate its 20th anniversary this summer. Udell’s career at
Hyatt started in 1982 when he joined Grand Hyatt Singapore as a member
of the Corporate Training Program.
Udell will take over the leadership role from Larry Tchou, a 44-year
Hyatt veteran who served as head of ASPAC operations for more than 32
years. Tchou will assume a newly formed position of Senior Advisor –
Greater China and will also be based in Hong Kong. In this role, Tchou
will assist with the regional leadership transition and provide advice
and guidance to the company regarding its efforts in the region, with a
special focus on development activities and Hyatt’s activities in China.
Hoplamazian said, “I have known Larry Tchou for more than 23 years and I
am grateful to him for his leadership at Hyatt, for providing me with
great advice over the course of my career and for agreeing to continue
to do so. He has been deeply influential in the careers of so many of
Hyatt’s most respected leaders. I appreciate his willingness to take on
his new role as an advisor to Hyatt, where we can continue to benefit
from his deep insights to create value for our colleagues, our guests
and our owners.”
“It’s an honor to be asked to build on the great foundation established
by Mr. Tchou, who embodies Hyatt’s values and has taught me so much
during my career,” Udell said.
In recent years, Tchou was bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award by the
China Hotel Investment Summit Advisory Board (2006), conferred an
Honorary Fellowship by the Vocational Training Council (2008) and named
Honorary Fellow of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2011). Tchou
will continue to advocate for education in hospitality and tourism and
remain the chair of various hotel and tourism boards at different
educational institutions.
The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to
Hyatt Hotels Corporation or one or more of its affiliates.
About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global
hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more
than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a
difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by
providing authentic hospitality. The Company's subsidiaries manage,
franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®,
Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt
House®, Hyatt Zilara™ and Hyatt Ziva™ brand names
and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a
Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or
licenses Hyatt Residences® and Hyatt Residence Club®.
As of March 31, 2014, the Company's worldwide portfolio consisted of 554
properties in 47 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.
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