Matthew E. Avril is President, Hotel Group for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.  Mr. Avril is responsible for hotel operations worldwide for Starwood’s nine hotel brands, consisting of 960 properties in more than 97 countries.  Mr. Avril also oversees Starwood's global sales organization.

Mr. Avril has over 20 years experience in the hospitality and vacation ownership industry, serving most recently as President and Managing Director of Operations for Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.  Here he oversaw Sales & Marketing, Resort Operations, Finance, Legal Affairs, Homeowner Association Management and Human Resources functions. 

Having rejoined SVO in September of 2002 after owning his own consulting practice, he has been responsible for the oversight of all areas of operation in the timeshare business.  Mr. Avril was with Vistana, Inc. (SVO’s predecessor entity) for the 10 year period from January of 1989 to December of 1998. During this time, Vistana operated as both a privately held as well as public company.  Mr. Avril served as its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and prior to that as the company’s Chief Financial Officer.  Mr. Avril’s responsibilities included all areas of operations during his period of service with Vistana. 

Prior to joining Vistana, Mr. Avril, a Certified Public Accountant in Florida, spent 5 years in public accounting with KPMG Peat Marwick in Miami, Florida.

Mr. Avril graduated in 1982 with honors from the University of Miami.