Hilton Waikoloa Appoints Five New Executive Members

On Hawaii's Big Island

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. February 25, 2009

THE BIG ISLAND, HI, February 25, 2009 - Hilton Waikoloa Village proudly announces the addition of five new executive team members, including Michael Donahue, executive director of marketing; Abby Murtagh, director of food and beverage; Charles Charbonneau, executive chef; Michele Wilkin, Kohala Spa director and Scott Ward, resident manager.

"We are so pleased to have each one of these seasoned professionals as part of our Hilton Waikoloa Village team. Their hands-on approach, passion for guest satisfaction and knowledgeable backgrounds will elevate our level of excellence at the resort," praises Debi Bishop, general manager.

Michael Donahue has been named executive director of marketing and will lead brand management at Waikoloa Beach Resort, delivering top line results through direct interaction with all revenue generating departments at the resort. Donahue boasts an extensive hospitality background with 25 years of successful senior executive hospitality and management experience. Most recently, Donahue served as the executive director of sales and marketing for the world-renowned LaQuinta Resort and PGA West. Among his many other leadership roles, Donahue co-founded Clairvoyix, a leading database marketing system, and served as vice president of marketing for KSL Resorts.

Abby Murtagh will oversee concept development and day-to-day operations of all food and beverage outlets at Hilton Waikoloa Village, as the new director of food and beverage. Murtagh boasts almost two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. After graduating from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel administration, Murtagh began her hospitality career as banquet captain at the Hershey Entertainment and Resort Company. Murtagh quickly climbed the ladder there and was named food and beverage director. Most recently, she served as vice president, food and beverage for HEI/Merritt Hospitality. During this role, she helped develop the successful "Beyond Banquets" concept that embraces a more contemporary, restaurant-like approach to hotel banquets.

The culinary team at Hilton Waikoloa Village will now be led by award-winning Executive Chef Charles Charbonneau. Chef Charles attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where he learned from the European Masters Chefs, the culinary world's best. Chef Charles brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience to the Waikoloa Beach Resort and will oversee the culinary operations, including staff training, food preparation and service, of the nine dining outlets, as well as banquet and group catering operations.

Michele Wilkin has been named the Kohala Spa director at Hilton Waikoloa Village. Wilkin has been a leader in the spa world for more than a decade and has continued to evolve resort spa services as treatments and trends change over time. Wilkin will lead an accomplished group of spa treatment experts in enhancing the Waikoloa guest experience through pampered immersion into Hawaiian methods of wellness. Prior to joining the Hilton Waikoloa Village team, Wilkin was the spa director at the Spa at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

The most recent appointment at Hilton Waikoloa Village is Scott Ward, the new resident manager. Ward will implement and manage daily quality processes at the hotel, assisting the general manager in the administration of the hotel by directing staff efforts toward total guest satisfaction, increased employee productivity and overall resort profitability. Ward has more than 15 years of experience in the full-service hotel industry under well-known flags including Marriott, Westin and Crown Plaza. Most recently, Ward was general manager at Crown Plaza Tampa East.

For more information about Waikoloa Beach Resort and Hilton Waikoloa Village, visit www.waikoloabeachresort.com or www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com or call 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667).