THOMAS KELTNER

Executive Vice President, Hilton Corporation & President - Brand Performance and Development Group

With more than 20 years of experience in the areas of development, acquisition, disposition, franchising and management, Thomas Keltner is responsible for the development activities of all Hilton brands. In addition, he oversees brand management and performance of Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Homewood Suites by Hilton, including brand performance, quality standards, marketing, and franchise support.

Keltner previously was president of the Brand Performance and Development Group for Promus Hotel Corporation. He focused on all aspects of brand management for the Doubletree Hotels and Guest Suites, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites and Doubletree Club Hotels. This position included overall responsibility for performance, quality standards, marketing, sales, reservations and franchise support for nearly 1,350 hotels. Additionally, he directed all efforts to expand development activities in underserved markets, national advertising, and sales and marketing initiatives to ensure the viability and long term growth of the organization’s core brands. Keltner joined Promus Hotel Corporation in 1993.

Before joining Promus Hotel Corporation, he was senior vice president and chief operating officer of the franchise hotels division of Worldwide in Atlanta. He also served as president and managing director of Holiday Inns International in Brussels, Belgium, and senior vice president of Holiday Inns, Inc., in Memphis, Tenn. In addition, Keltner was president of Saudi Marriott Company, a division of Marriott Corporation, and was a management consultant with Cresap, McCormick and Paget, Inc.

Keltner received a master's degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Ohio University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service.