Current:
Independent advisor / consultant

Prior:
President and Managing Director of Operations for Starwood, Vacation Ownership ( SVO )

Mr. Avril retired from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. on December 31, 2012, where he had served as President, Hotel Group since September 2008. Mr. Avril was responsible for hotel operations worldwide for Starwood’s nine hotel brands, consisting of approximately 1,100 properties in more than 100 countries. Mr. Avril also oversaw Starwood’s global sales organization. Mr. Avril has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality and vacation ownership industry, serving as President and Managing Director of Operations for Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide from 2002 to 2008 (Mr. Avril also worked with the predecessor entity Vistana Resort from 1989 to 1998). There, he oversaw Sales & Marketing, Resort Operations, Finance, Legal Affairs, Homeowner Association Management, and Human Resources functions. Mr. Avril graduated in 1982 with honors from the University of Miami and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mr. Avril serves on the Board of Directors of Aaron’s Inc (AAN) where he serves on the Audit and Compensation Committees. He also serves on the Board of API Technologies, Inc (ATNY) where he serves on the Audit, Compensation and Nominating/Governance Committees. In addition, he serves on the Boards of two privately held companies – Zentila, Inc and American Hotel Register.