The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa Appoints David Twitchell, Director of Engineering

(HOLLYWOOD, FL) October 9, 2009—The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa has appointed David Twitchell as director of engineering. Twitchell’s key responsibilities include overseeing all operational components and physical maintenance of the 998-room oceanfront resort and adjacent 209,000-square-foot Convention Center. Twitchell joins The Westin Diplomat after eight years as the director of engineering at the St. Regis Resort in Aspen, CO. His notable contribution there was a large rooftop solar evacuated tube hot water project that, at the time, was unlike any solar project in the United States. Since it began operating in May 2009 it has generated a saving of 25-30% in natural gas consumption. Prior to that, beginning in 1997, he was the Chief Engineer at the Sheraton Denver Technical Center hotel. From 1985 through mid-1997 he worked at the Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Petersburg Beach, FL first as a Landscape Manager and then transitioned to Assistant Chief Engineer there. Twitchell is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving as a weather specialist for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa is conveniently located on the beach between Fort Lauderdale and the international hub of Miami. With 998 rejuvenating guest rooms, The Diplomat offers an array of amenities including several cuisine options from an award winning seafood steakhouse to 24-hour in-room dining. The adjacent convention center provides over 200,000 square feet, of flexible meeting and catering space including four ballrooms, a 50,000 square foot unobstructed Great Hall and 39 individual meeting rooms. The Diplomat’ Golf Resort provides guests with 60 additional guest rooms, an 18- hole golf course managed by Troon® Golf, a 10-clay court tennis center and a full- service spa. ###

Media Contact: Michelle Shulman 954-602-8603 [email protected]