HEI Hotels & Resorts Named 2010 ENERGY STAR(R) Partner of the Year

NORWALK, Conn., April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- HEI Hotels & Resorts (HEI), the nation's fastest growing private owner/operator of hotel real estate, today announced that it has been named a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  This marks the second major energy conservation related award the company has received over the past 5 months, along with the prestigious 2009 Corporate Energy Management award from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) presented November 2, 2009 at the 32nd World Energy Engineering Congress held in Washington D.C.

"HEI has been committed to sustainability since our inception and to receive this recognition is validation of our investment of time and money to this tremendously important mission," said Gary Mendell, HEI's chairman and chief executive officer.  "We will continue to be a leader in hotel energy management, and plan to continuously push the envelope ever forward, as the spirit of the Partner of the Year dictates."

HEI was the only hospitality-focused company and lone Connecticut-based business to win the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award in 2010.  The 2010 Partner of the Year Awards recognize efforts to use energy efficiently in facility operations and to integrate superior energy management into overall organizational strategy.  Award winners are selected from more  than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.  With the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans saved $17 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles last year alone.

"HEI is leading the fight against climate change through greater energy efficiency," said Gina McCarthy, EPA assistant administrator for air and radiation.  "HEI's robust energy management program is a model for others and affirms that energy efficiency is our most cost-effective climate strategy."

"HEI's long-term commitment to energy conservation and the related positive environmental impact has become an integrated facet of our culture.  It is wonderful to see industry giants like the EPA/ENERGY STAR and the AEE recognizing our efforts," said Bob Holesko, HEI's vice president, facilities.  "Since we began our energy management programs in 2005, we are measuring an annual energy cost avoidance of more than $3 million.  

The company has a number of sustainability programs in place.  In 2009, HEI launched its 'Energy Looking Glass®', a proprietary energy monitoring dashboard that optimizes energy use across its portfolio.  Furthermore, the company has set additional benchmarks for further energy and waste reduction for 2010.  HEI plans to reduce energy consumption company-wide by 5 percent in the coming year by continuing its 2009 programs targeting operational awareness and conservation.  While 2009 focused largely on the efforts of its general managers and chief engineers, a new program in place in 2010 includes the executive chefs, executive housekeepers and banquet managers.  In an effort to further empower associates to get involved, HEI launched a social responsibility program in September 2009.  Entitled "We CARE," the program focuses on four areas: communities, associates, relationships and environment.  The company will continue its environmental efforts in 2010, focusing on trash and recycling programs to determine what can be done to reduce waste and improve recycling.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency.  Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations.  More than 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses.  For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

About HEI Hotels & Resorts

HEI Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., is a leading hospitality investment firm that acquires, develops, owns and operates full-service, upper upscale and luxury hotels and resorts throughout the United States under such well-known brand names as Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, Embassy Suites, and Hilton.  For more information about HEI, visit the company's website, www.heihotels.com.

SOURCE HEI Hotels & Resorts