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La Quinta Resort & Club Operations Director,
as 2010 Outstanding Manager of the Year
.
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LA
QUINTA, Calif. –December , 2010 – David
Kirken, director of
operations at La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST, has been
recognized as
the 2010 “Outstanding Manager of the Year” by the California Hotel
&
Lodging Association (CHLA), the largest and most influential state
lodging
association in the world.  The honor will be presented at CHLA’s Annual Membership Luncheon and Stars of the Industry Awards on Wednesday, December 1, at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, in La Jolla, Calif. According to CHLA, the “Outstanding Manager of the Year” award recognizes exceptional performance by a supervisory employee to their subordinates, to guests and to the community. Kirken was lauded in the large property division. “This is a wonderful achievement, as well as an incredible acknowledgement of David’s pride, passion and pursuit of perfection,” said Gary Sims, managing director of La Quinta Resort & Club. “We are extraordinarily proud to have his efforts recognized by such an important industry organization.” In his current role, Kirken oversees day-to-day operations of the 796-room La Quinta Resort & Club, a historic desert destination known for its secluded ambiance, rich Hollywood legacy and world-class golf, tennis and spa facilities. During his tenure with the property, he has developed and implemented numerous successful programs and procedures designed to drive and improve employee and customer loyalty including the popular “Paws La Quinta” pet program. He has served as the resort’s director of operations since 2009, and was also interim general manager from April to September 2010. Prior to joining La Quinta Resort & Club, Kirken was with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company for nearly 10 years, working his way up the ranks to executive assistant manager for high-profile Ritz-Carlton properties in Kapalua, Maui; Osaka, Japan; Grand Cayman and Phoenix, Ariz. He also worked for the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Los Angeles as both a conference services manager and front office manager, and embarked on his professional career as assistant front office manager at The Manele Bay Hotel in Lanai, Hawaii. Kirken is active in the local community and involved in the La Quinta Senior Center, the American Diabetes Association and La Quinta Boys and Girls Club. He was recently elected to the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST feature world-class accommodations, dining, golf, tennis and fitness. Known as The Western Home of Golf in America®, the world-renowned destination is home to 90 holes of award-winning golf courses – designed by legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Greg Norman and Tom Weiskopf – as well as instruction at the Jim McLean Golf School. In addition to great golf, La Quinta Resort features 796 elegantly appointed casitas, suites and villas; 23 tennis courts; the 23,000-square-foot Spa La Quinta® with 41 pools and 53 hot spas; and exceptional cuisine at Morgan’s in the desert, Twenty6 and Adobe Grill. La Quinta Resort & Club is a member of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. For more information, visit www.laquintaresort.com. About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts WALDORF ASTORIA is Hilton Worldwide’s luxury brand of landmark hotels, with each one as singular and timeless as the brand’s namesake, The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York. From classic elegance to modern grandeur, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Waldorf Astoria Collection hotels each represent worldly sophistication and unparalleled guest service. From sumptuous spas and culinary excellence to world-class golf, each hotel & resort offers the exquisite accommodations and signature accoutrements that define refinement and sophistication. Discover Waldorf Astoria by visiting www.waldorfastoria.com. About Hilton Worldwide Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 91 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 600,000 rooms in 82 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com. |
| Contact: Marguarite Clark Public Relations Marguarite Clark (949) 295-2801 [email protected] Sydnie Moore (619) 823-8448 [email protected] |