Valenzuela Joins New Sheraton Orlando North

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. October 14, 2008

ORLANDO, FL, January 5, 2006. Peter N. Valenzuela joins the new Sheraton hotel at Maitland Center as general manager. He heads a team of hospitality veterans on a mission to build North Orlando's premier upscale conference and lodging facility.

Valenzuela brings to his new position great depth of experience, having worked with many of the world's leading brands for the past 25 years. "Pete's leadership skills, combined with his expertise in operations, marketing, repositioning and re-branding, will be tremendous assets to this strategically located hotel," says Peter Marino, senior vice president at Paramount Hotel Group, an owner and operator of the Sheraton property.

"The new hotel will offer price advantages and more upscale service and amenities than similar accommodations in the Maitland business corridor," Marino continues. "Under Pete's direction, we're confident it will emerge as the area's premier hotel conference facility."

Before joining the Sheraton at Maitland Center, Valenzuela served as a regional vice president of operations for New Jersey-based Prime Hospitality Corporation, a leading owner, operator and franchiser of hotels throughout North America. He oversaw operations at 20 hotels throughout the Northeast and Canada under such brands as Hilton, Radisson, Sheraton, Holiday Inn and Ramada.

In 2003, Valenzuela spearheaded the launch of Prime Hotels & Resorts, the company's upscale, full-service brand. He re-positioned hotels to assure growth and developed programs that increased profitability, while also improving service to exceed brand standards. Within less than a year, many of portfolio's large meeting properties became market leaders.

"We followed through on the service promise," Valenzuela says of the brand's quick success. "Guests got what they wanted -- rapid check-in; beautiful rooms, and great food. At the end of the day, a hotel is only as good as the bell person who says hello and the housekeeper who keeps the rooms spotless"

Before joining Prime Hospitality, Valenzuela worked for 18 years with Marriott Corporation, managing hotels throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean. He was general manager for Marriott Hotels in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Barbados and other top destinations.

In addition to managing properties, Valenzuela served as operations task force leader during hotel openings in Europe and the Caribbean. Valenzuela gained a reputation for turning underperforming properties quickly into market leaders. Among his honors, he was named Marriott's General Manager of the Year, 1989, and Marketing General Manager of the Year for the Northeast Region, 1984.

"It all boils down to doing more than what guests ask," Valenzuela explains. "Our goal for the new Sheraton is first to become the service leader in North Orlando. Our second goal is to see the hotel emerge as a valuable member of the community by participating actively in local chambers and community groups."

Valenzuela has a long history of community leadership. He was vice president of Fund Allocations for the United Way of Central New Jersey. Additionally, Valenzuela served on the Board of Directors, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia. He oversaw programs that introduced hotel service practices in hospitals, providing patients with more comfortable stays.

Valenzuela holds a degree in Accounting from UCLA, where he also taught Hotel Marketing at the Graduate School of Management. He is married with three school-age children. His wife, Jacquelyn, also enjoys a successful career in hospitality, specializing in Human Resources for luxury hotels and resorts.