"FelCor is the largest independent owner of Embassy Suites Hotels and Doubletree Guest Suites hotels," said Tom Keltner, president -- brand performance and franchise development group, Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Tom Corcoran is someone who not only has made a tremendous impact on the hotel development and management arenas for more than 10 years, his motivational style among his team members has earned him high accolades. I am delighted to bestow what usually is a hotel award to an individual who we are proud to call our partner and friend." 

In 1991, Tom Corcoran and Hervey Feldman co-founded FelCor, Inc. In 1993, FelCor acquired five Park Suites hotels in the process of being converted to the Embassy Suites brand. In 1994, FelCor went public with a portfolio of six Embassy Suites hotels and a market capitalization of $120 million as a real estate investment trust (REIT) on the Nasdaq under the name of FelCor Suite Hotels, Inc. 

Through its 1996 Crown Sterling acquisition, FelCor purchased 18 hotels in which 16 hotels were rebranded to Embassy Suites Hotels and two rebranded to Doubletree Guest Suites. One year later, FelCor purchased eight hotels that are currently Doubletree-branded. 

FelCor and Hilton Hotels Corporation's interests are strongly aligned through their equity investments and other approaches, including joint venture agreements on 15 Embassy Suites Hotels and four Doubletree-branded hotels, in addition to management fee arrangements. The remaining 63 Embassy Suites, Doubletree and other Hilton Family hotels represent franchise or management agreements with FelCor. 

A native of Clay Center, Kansas, Corcoran developed a love of cooking from his mother. Since then, he has held management positions within hospitality and foodservice industries, and when FelCor's headquarters moved in 1996 to a building in Irving, Texas, that was equipped with a full kitchen, Corcoran began cooking gourmet lunches for the team members, demonstrating a passion for work and building valuable connections with team members. 

FelCor is the nation's second largest REIT and the nation's largest owner of upscale, all-suite hotels. FelCor's portfolio is comprised of 169 hotels, located in 35 states and Canada. FelCor owns 77 upscale, all-suite hotels, and is the largest owner of Embassy Suites Hotels(R) and Doubletree Guest Suites hotels(R). FelCor's portfolio also includes 83 hotels in the upscale and full service segments. FelCor has a current market capitalization of approximately $2.7 billion. Additional information can be found on the Company's website at www.felcor.com . 

Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,000 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties.