Clerc  arrives  in  Chicago via Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he served as General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita since 2003.

"I  am honored to take on this new responsibility," says Clerc. "Chicago is a  world-class  city  and  The Ritz-Carlton Chicago offers the tradition of hospitality  excellence  that  Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts has been built upon."

A native of Switzerland, and fluent in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish,  Clerc  manages  a  staff  of  over  600 employees who service the 435-room  hotel.   The  Ritz-Carlton Chicago has been honored with the 2007 Mobil  Travel  Guide  Five-Star  Award,  and  equally  prestigious 2007 AAA Five-Diamond Award.

Clerc  is  a graduate of the Lausanne Hotel Management School and began his hotel career  at  the  Intercontinental  Hotel  in  Geneva  in  1989  and subsequently moved to Lausanne, Mexico, Washington, Rome and Paris where he gained considerable hotel management experience.

He  began  his  Four  Seasons career as Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Washington  in  2000. He served as interim General Manager at The Pierre in New York prior to transferring to Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico in 2003  as  General  Manager.  He  was promoted to Regional Vice President in April  2007,  overseeing  Four  Seasons  Hotel Mexico City and Four Seasons Resort  Punta  Mita  and  Four  Seasons Resort Costa Rica. Clerc resides in Chicago with his wife and two daughters.

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago is steps from the city's bustling cultural arena, tucked high atop prestigious Water Tower Place and is managed by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, the leading operator of luxury hotels worldwide.

Four Seasons is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continuous innovation and the highest standards of hospitality.  From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalised 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best.  The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees â€� people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service.  Founded in 1960, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels in major city centres and desirable resort destinations around the world. Currently with 74 hotels in 31 countries, and more than 25 properties under development, Four Seasons will continue to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding.  For more information on Four Seasons, visit www.fourseasons.com

Susan Maier
Director of Public Relations
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago
160 East Pearson Street
Chicago, IL  60611
[email protected]