Starwood announced that Raymond L. "Rip" Gellein, Jr, has been promoted to President, Global Development.

In this new corporate position, Gellein, currently the Chairman and CEO of the Starwood Vacation Ownership business, will take on overall management responsibility for the full range of Starwood's real estate-related functions.

This encompasses all Starwood development activities, including hotel, resort and residential development; vacation and fractional ownership; property acquisitions and dispositions; hotel management contracts; franchise pipeline expansion; capital planning and allocation; portfolio management; feasibility studies; and design and construction.

Ted Darnall, currently President of Starwood Real Estate Group since 2002, has stepped down in order to develop a fund specifically focused on building aloft and Extended Stay by Westin hotels, two brands which he helped create.