Starwood Names Gelchion SVP, Owner Relations
WHITE PLAINS, October 5, 2006. Steven J. Heyer, chief executive officer of Starwood has announced that longtime Sheraton veteran Joseph Gelchion has been named senior vice president of owner relations, North America.
In his new role, Mr. Gelchion will work closely with Starwood's 35 largest North American partners who own multiple hotels across multiple brands. Based in New York, he will report to Lynne Dougherty, Starwood's senior vice president owner relations and franchise.
"Joe is an industry icon, well known and well respected by our owners and the development community," said Mr. Heyer. "In his new role, Joe will serve as an advocate on behalf of our largest owners, and as liaison with Starwood's myriad resources including our brand teams, design, food and beverage and the like. As we continue to aggressively grow our footprint worldwide and implement innovations within our brands, his operational expertise and his passionate and intuitive understanding of Starwood and our brands will be a tremendous asset." Mr. Gelchion most recently served as senior vice president, Sheraton Brand Operations, overseeing operations for Starwood's largest and most global brand.
He began his career in the hotel industry in 1978 as a front desk agent at the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel while still in college.
Quickly climbing the ranks, Mr. Gelchion served in a number of operations positions within the Sheraton brand.
He left the industry for a brief period to serve as Executive Administrator of Gracie Mansion for New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, returning to the hotel business in 1995 when he joined the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, the brand's flagship hotel, where he was ultimately named General Manager in 2000. During his tenure with Sheraton and Starwood, Mr. Gelchion also served as Starwood's regional vice president of operations for New York and New Jersey.
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