�Steve Bello was highly sought after, and we are delighted with his decision to join the Madison during this critical period,� said Greg Miller, president, PM Hospitality Strategies, the hotel�s management company.  �Steve brings with him a strong background in team building, strategy formation and implementation.  He is a true team leader, attributes that will play a key role in moving The Madison Hotel into the future.�

With nearly 25 years of hospitality experience, Bello has been general manager at a number of high-profile hotels, including Ritz-Carlton properties in Philadelphia, Dubai, Palm Springs, and Amelia Island, as well as other branded hotels in Mauna Kea Beach, Dallas and Atlanta.  Most recently, he was general manager of the 250-room Hershey Hotel in Hershey, Pa.  Bello holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I.

�Steve has managed a number of properties during major renovations, making him an ideal candidate for this position,� said Dave Pollin, president, Buccini/Pollin Group, the hotel�s owner.  �Managing all aspects of a multi-million dollar restoration requires a certain skillset, from retaining existing employees to selecting a new restaurant concept.�

Located in the heart of Washington�s central business district at the intersection of 15th and M Streets, the Madison Hotel features 353 luxury hotel rooms/suites with more than 11,000 square feet of meeting and function space.  Plans call for the property to reopen in August when the renovation is expected to be completed.

PM Hospitality Strategies of Alexandria, Va. manages The Madison Hotel.  The company currently operates nine hotels and is overseeing the construction of three additional upscale hotels, all on the Eastern Seaboard. 

The Buccini/Pollin Group, headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is the related ownership entity for PMHS.  The BP Group currently owns nine hotels and has an additional three full-service hotels under construction�a Homewood Suites by Hilton in Newark, Del., and an Embassy Suites Hotel and Homewood Suites by Hilton in Dulles, Va.  Additionally, the company will open the 300-unit Residences at Rodney Square in fall 2003 as part of an elaborate historic building restoration/conversion in Wilmington, Del.