Starwood 2012 Annual Report Download - page 24

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.-2013Proxy Statement18
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Eric Hippeau
Age: 61
Director since: 1999
Committees served: Capital, Corporate
Governance and Nominating
Mr. Hippeau has been a Partner with Lerer
Ventures, a venture capital fund, since June2011. From 2009 to
2011 he was the Chief Executive Offi cer of The Huffi ngton Post, a
news website. From 2000 to 2009, he was a Managing Partner of
Softbank Capital, a technology venture capital fi rm. Mr.Hippeau
served as Chairman and Chief Executive Offi cer of Ziff-Davis
Inc., an integrated media and marketing company, from 1993
to March2000 and held various other positions with Ziff-Davis
from 1989 to 1993. In the past 5 years, Mr.Hippeau served as a
director of the Huffi ngton Post and Yahoo! Inc.
As a Partner with Lerer Ventures, Mr. Hippeau brings to the Board
extensive investment and venture capital expertise. In addition,
Mr. Hippeau has signifi cant governance experience as a director,
a strong background in technology and modern media and a
deep understanding of the Company’s business as a result of his
extended tenure with the Company.
Aylwin B. Lewis
Age: 57
Director since: 2013
Committees served: Audit
Other Current Public Boards: The Walt Disney
Company
Mr. Lewis has served as President and Chief Executive Offi cer of
Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC since June2008. From September
2005 to February 2008, Mr. Lewis was President and Chief
Executive Offi cer of Sears Holdings Corporation, a nationwide
retailer. Prior to being named Chief Executive Offi cer of Sears,
Mr. Lewis was President of Sears Holdings and Chief Executive
Offi cer of KMart and Sears Retail following Sears’ acquisition
of KMart Holding Corporation in March2005. Prior to that, Mr.
Lewis was President and Chief Executive Offi cer of KMart since
October2004. Mr. Lewis was Chief Multi-Branding and Operating
Offi cer of YUM! Brands, Inc., a franchisor and licensor of quick
service restaurants including KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut,
Taco Bell and A&W, from 2003 until October2004, Chief Operating
Offi cer of YUM! Brands from 2000 until 2003 and Chief Operating
Offi cer of Pizza Hut from 1996.
As a result of his numerous senior management positions at Yum!
Brands, Kmart, Sears and Potbelly Sandwich Works, Mr. Lewis
brings to the Board signifi cant expertise in corporate branding,
franchising and management of complex global businesses.
Stephen R. Quazzo
Age: 53
Director since: 1999
Committees served: Capital
Mr. Quazzo is the Chief Executive Offi cer and
has been the Managing Director and co-founder
of Pearlmark Real Estate Partners, L.L.C., formerly known as
Transwestern Investment Company, L.L.C., a real estate principal
investment fi rm, since March1996. From April1991 to March1996,
Mr.Quazzo was President of Equity Institutional Investors, Inc., a
private investment fi rm and a subsidiary of Equity Group Investments,
Inc.
As the Chief Executive Offi cer of Pearlmark Real Estate Partners,
Mr. Quazzo brings to the Board signifi cant expertise in real estate
matters and investment strategy. He also has a deep understanding
of the Company’s business as a result of his extended tenure
with the Company.
Thomas O. Ryder
Age: 68
Director since: 2001
Committees served: Capital, Compensation
and Option
Other Current Public Boards: Amazon.com,
Inc., Quad/Graphics, Inc. and RPX Corporation
Mr. Ryder retired as Chairman of the Board of The Reader’s Digest
Association, Inc., a global media and direct marketing company,
in January2007, a position he had held since January 2006.
Mr.Ryder was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Offi cer
of that company from April1998 through December 2005. In
addition, Mr.Ryder was Chairman of the Board and Chairman of
the Audit Committee of Virgin Mobile USA, Inc., a wireless service
provider, from October2007 to November2009. Mr.Ryder was
President, American Express Travel Related Services International,
a division of American Express Company, which provides travel,
fi nancial and network services, from October1995 to April1998.
In the past 5 years, Mr.Ryder has also served as a director of
World Color Press, Inc., a company acquired by Quad/Graphics,
Inc. in July2010.
As the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Offi cer of The Reader’s
Digest Association and former Chairman of Virgin Mobile USA, Mr.
Ryder brings to the Board extensive leadership, public company
governance and corporate fi nance experience.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends
avote “FOR” the election of each of these nominees.