Matthew J. Hart
Encyclopedia
Matthew J. Hart was the President and COO of Hilton Hotels Corporation
from May 2004 until October 2007, when the company was acquired by the Blackstone Group
. On May 24, 2007, Hilton's Board of Directors announced that Hart would assume the role of President and CEO of the company effective January 1, 2008. However, Hart resigned following Blackstone's acquisition of the company.
from Vanderbilt University
in 1974 and a Master of Business Administration
from Columbia Business School
in 1976.
Hart was a lending officer with Bankers Trust
. He then joined Marriott Corporation in 1981. He eventually served as Executive Vice President and CFO for Host Marriott Corporation from 1993 to 1995. He later served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer for Walt Disney Corporation from 1995 to 1996. He then served as Executive Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer of Hilton Hotels Corporation from 1996 to 2004, eventually becoming President and COO from 2004 to 2007.
Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton Worldwide is a global hospitality company. It is owned by the Blackstone Group, a private equity firm. As of July 2011 Hilton brands encompass 3,750 hotels with over 600,000 rooms in 84 countries...
from May 2004 until October 2007, when the company was acquired by the Blackstone Group
Blackstone Group
The Blackstone Group L.P. is an American-based alternative asset management and financial services company that specializes in private equity, real estate, and credit and marketable alternative investment strategies, as well as financial advisory services, such as mergers and acquisitions ,...
. On May 24, 2007, Hilton's Board of Directors announced that Hart would assume the role of President and CEO of the company effective January 1, 2008. However, Hart resigned following Blackstone's acquisition of the company.
Early life and career
Hart obtained a Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in 1974 and a Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from Columbia Business School
Columbia Business School
Columbia Business School is the business school of Columbia University in Manhattan, New York City. It was established in 1916 to provide business training and professional preparation for undergraduate and graduate Columbia University students...
in 1976.
Hart was a lending officer with Bankers Trust
Bankers Trust
Bankers Trust was an historic American banking organization. The bank merged with Alex. Brown & Sons before being acquired by Deutsche Bank in 1998.-History:A consortium of banks created Bankers Trust to perform trust company services for their clients....
. He then joined Marriott Corporation in 1981. He eventually served as Executive Vice President and CFO for Host Marriott Corporation from 1993 to 1995. He later served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer for Walt Disney Corporation from 1995 to 1996. He then served as Executive Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer of Hilton Hotels Corporation from 1996 to 2004, eventually becoming President and COO from 2004 to 2007.