Segal's hospitality industry human resources experience includes opening the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and Caesars Indiana where she staffed both hotels and built the human resources departments from the ground up. She also previously worked with Starwood Hotels at Caesars Palace Las Vegas from 1996 to 1999. 

Most recently, Segal was with Holland America Cruise Line in Seattle, where she served as senior human resources manager. There she supported 12 hotels in Alaska and the Yukon, as well as the transportation division (Gray Line of Alaska/Seattle), and successfully negotiated four labor contracts in the past two years as chief negotiator. 

Segal holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Cornell Club of Western Washington, holding the position of secretary, and is also co-chair for the Cornell Admissions Alumni Ambassador Network. 

Also the Westin Seattle has appointed Aaron Burris as its new lead front desk manager. Burris has more than five years hospitality industry experience in the areas of front office, guest services and guest activities. 

Burris comes to The Westin Seattle from The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, also owned and operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts. There he most recently held the positions of guest activities manager and executive manager responsible for the daily operations of the concierge department and Funicians Kids Club, and the overall satisfaction and experience for all internal and external guests of the resort. He also acted as the manager on duty for the resort in the absence of the general manager and the resort manager. 

For his work at The Phoenician, Burris was honored with the Best Concierge platinum award from 944 Magazine in 2006. As front desk supervisor, he played a key role in the hotel achieving the AAA Five-Diamond award for 2006 and 2007 through continued monitoring and coaching of the front desk associates. 

Prior to that, Burris was a front desk associate at Scottsdale Camelback Resort in Scottsdale. He also assisted with the pre-opening of the Westin Boston Waterfront in June 2006. He holds a bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant management from Northern Arizona University. 

Located in the heart of the city on 5th Avenue, The Westin is the front door to Seattle. Just steps away are Seattle's top restaurants, shopping destinations and signature attractions - Pike Place Market, historic Pioneer Square, the Space Needle and the Washington State Convention Center � making it the ideal base for business and leisure travelers alike. The 891-guest rooms and suites have unobstructed, sweeping views of the downtown Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, Lake Union and the Olympic Mountains. 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. 

Katie B. Wilkinson/The Westin Seattle 
425.220.1125
[email protected]
www.westin.com/seattle