As Director of Operations, Mr. El-Rabaa will assist General Manager Barbara McMahon and oversee the day-to-day operations of the hotel, including reservations, housekeeping, front office and food and beverage services. He has more than a decade of experience in the hospitality industry. His career with Renaissance Hotels, Resorts and Suites began in 1989 as Banquet Manager for the Renaissance Cottonwoods Resort, Scottsdale, AZ. Later he was Food and Beverage Director for the Renaissance St. Louis Hotel, and was promoted to Assistant General Manager of the Renaissance Madison Hotel, Seattle, WA, responsible for the hotel�s overall operations. He left the company briefly in early 2000 to be the Food and Beverage Director at Bellevue Convention Center in Washington.

�I am thrilled to return to Renaissance Hotels, Resorts and Suites as part of the staff at the new Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel,� Mr. El-Rabaa says. �My challenge is to help create an inviting environment with luxurious accommodations and attentive service that will satisfy guests who value their individuality, and give them an experience that both typifies the Renaissance brand and signifies Pittsburgh�s grand heritage.

�The hotel�s elegant restaurant, Opus, and bar, known as The Bridge, will be ideal spots for business and leisure travelers who want to relax and enjoy exceptional fare and libations, as well as Cultural District patrons seeking a late-night rendezvous,� Mr. El-Rabaa adds.

When the 300-room hotel opens in the first quarter of 2001, the exterior and first three floors of the century-old building will be restored to the original vision of Fulton Building architect Grosvenor Atterbury, thanks to Sage Hospitality Resources, Denver. Sage is developer/manager and co-owner with Hexagon Investments and has completed several other historic redevelopment projects throughout the country, looking for cities committed to economic growth, supported by leadership and financing to make it happen.

Renaissance Hotels, Resorts and Suites is an upscale brand providing full-service accommodations to business and leisure travelers and group meetings at over 100 properties in 26 countries. 

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,000 operating units in the United States and 57 other countries and territories. 

Sage Hospitality Resources, LLC is a nationally recognized hotel developer and management company. Sage currently operates in 25 states, with over 50 full service, boutique and limited service hotels.