HeLal began his new role on April 1, taking over from Barbara McMahon, who was promoted earlier this year to Regional Vice President for Sage Hospitality Resources, owner-operator of the landmark hotel. �I am excited about the synergy of the Renaissance Pittsburgh in the present revival of downtown Pittsburgh and the opening of its first major casino,� HeLal says.

HeLal will guide a multi-million dollar renovation beginning in late 2008. �The designers have created a posh and contemporary edge for our boutique hotel, which includes our two-story marble lobby, restaurant and bar and meeting facilities, as well as significant amenities to guest rooms, including flat-panel televisions,� he says.

HeLal�s results-driven management style has proven successful for a number of high-profile properties. As Vice President of Operations for Cable Beach Resorts, HeLal played a key role in the $250 million acquisition for Baha Mar Resorts Ltd., a $2.3 billion Caribbean development. Previously, HeLal was Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality Operations at Pearl River Resort, a $750 million casino-resort development of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, where he is credited with turning around pre-opening of a $290 million expansion. HeLal also led a major $58 million redesign/renovation of the hurricane-damaged Marriott Frenchman�s Reef and Morning Star Beach Resorts in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he was Vice President and Managing Director.

After attending West Virginia University Institute of Technology, HeLal began his career in Hyatt Corporation�s management training program. At age 27, HeLal became Managing Director of the Playboy Resort & Country Club in Lake Geneva, Wis., the youngest in the company�s history. Other executive appointments followed as Vice President, Hotel Operations at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas; General Manager of Scanticon Executive Conference Center in Princeton, N.J,; and General Manager assignments in the Bahamas, Jamaica and Virgin Islands for Wyndham Resorts. 

Committed to service excellence throughout his career, HeLal is a six-time recipient of the Marriott �Spirit To Serve� Award. His wife and three children will relocate to the Pittsburgh area later this summer. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his family, tennis, backgammon and movies.

Named Pittsburgh�s Top Luxury Hotel for 2008 by TripAdvisor.com, the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel features 300 deluxe guest rooms and suites and 10,000 square feet of event space. 

The Renaissance Pittsburgh hotel opened in 2001 in the restored 1906 Fulton Building at 107 Sixth Street. The opulent grand dame Pittsburgh luxury hotel is central to The Cultural District and five theaters, galleries, museums and nightlife. Opus, its signature restaurant, serves American Fusion cuisine. The Bridge Bar and Prelude wine bar offer lighter fare and libations. For more information or to make a reservation, call 412.562.1200 or visit www.renaissancepittsburgh.com. 

Lisa Clark
412.322.5535