Veteran Starwood Hotels & Resorts executive Keith Vieira will retire from his position as senior vice president of operations for Hawaii and French Polynesia at the end of this year.
A native Islander, born and raised in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, Vieira has been with Sheraton and Starwood for more than 30 years, beginning work in the state’s tourism industry in the early 1980s.
“I have had a career that has exceeded my expectations in so many ways,” Vieira said in a statement. “It was a difficult decision to leave, but it’s the right time. Thanks to the hard work and tremendous spirit of our team, we have not only made it to the other side of the financial crisis, but our business is stronger than it has ever been.”
Vieira held a range of management positions at Starwood and was appointed head of the Hawaii region in 1998. He also served for many years at the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Oahu Visitors Bureau along with two terms as a member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Starwood officials announced the start of a comprehensive search for Vieira’s replacement May 15.