Matthew Hart Set to Become New Hilton CEO

Hilton Hotels Corporation announced that Matthew Hart, the company’s president and chief operating officer, will assume the role of president and chief executive officer effective January 1, 2008. Hart, 54, who was also elected to the company’s board in January 2007, will replace Stephen Bollenbach as CEO.

As previously announced, Bollenbach will retire as CEO on December 31, 2007, but continue as co-chairman of the board and serve as an employee consultant. Hart will become only the fourth chief executive officer in the company’s nearly 90-year history, following Conrad Hilton, Barron Hilton and Bollenbach.

Since joining Hilton in 1996, he has been instrumental in completing several strategic transactions, including the acquisitions of Bally’s Entertainment, Promus Hotel Company and Hilton International; creating and implementing the company’s financial strategy; overseeing the acquisition of numerous hotel properties; and introducing several new product, service and marketing initiatives, including the launch of the company’s new luxury brand, The Waldorf-Astoria Collection.

After joining Hilton in 1996 as executive vice president and chief financial officer, Hart was named president and chief operating officer in 2004.