NEW YORK (January 11, 2016) Grand Hyatt New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Ash Awasthi as Hotel Manager. In this role, Awasthi will oversee the Rooms Division and support activities throughout the iconic property including Purpose and Brand activation, special projects, strategic planning and financial performance.

“We are very fortune to have an individual of Ash’s caliber and success join the team at Grand Hyatt New York,” said Area Vice President & General Manager John Schafer. “His creative leadership, valuable experience and innovative ideas will continue to develop and strengthen our commitment to authentic hospitality. We look forward to being a part of Ash’s rising success story in the Hyatt family.”

The position is a homecoming of sorts for Awasthi who began his hospitality career at Choice Hotels in midtown Manhattan as a front office agent, followed by a night manager position in the Hilton Short Hills, New Jersey. He began his Hyatt journey at Hyatt Regency New Brunswick as an Assistant Front Office Manager and has gone on to earn various positions and promotions in the Rooms Division at Hyatt Regency Houston, Atlanta, Princeton and Tampa. Most recently Awasthi was Director of Rooms at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, where he implemented and conceived a number of programs aimed at enhancing the experience of both guests and Hyatt team members including a book club for department managers, the “Brighten Your Stay Program” which was featured in USA TODAY, and the beta test for the “Platinum Perks Program” geared towards improving brand loyalty by redefining membership benefits. The hotel won the Innovation Award for 2014 and Awasthi himself won the Director of Rooms Hyatt Leadership Award for 2014.

“I am thrilled to call New York home again, especially at an iconic hotel steeped in such vibrant tradition,” said Awasthi. “It is an absolute honor and pleasure to be in a city full of multi-cultural appeal, surrounded by iconic architectural landmarks while working with people who deliver our promise of creating caring, dramatic, and unique experiences for our guests and colleagues. I look forward to encouraging a culture of innovation and embracing the grand experience.”