New York, NY (May 17, 2013) – Highgate Hotels announced today the appointment of Deirdre Yack as director of sales and marketing for the Lexington New York City. Yack brings nearly two decades of sales experience to the storied 723-room Midtown Manhattan hotel currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. With an expertise in full-service hotels in the New York market, she will play an integral role in the re-launch of the property through the development and implementation of strategic sales and communication plans.

Yack joins the Lexington New York City from Hyatt 48 Lex where she functioned as the director of sales and marketing for the 116-room property that opened in 2011. Hyatt 48 Lex is noted as her second back-to-back opening, following the successful launch of Hilton’s Fashion Hotel in New York’s Fashion District. Hired at both properties during the construction phase, Yack has the proven entrepreneurial skills to properly position the unique Lexington New York City property during its transitional period.

Yack began her career as a reservations sales coordinator at the four-star, four-diamond Le Parker Meridien, exhibiting exceptional growth during her six-year tenure. Prior to her departure in 1999 to join the Omni Berkshire Place as the associate director of sales, she grew into a sales manager role focusing on the 698-room hotel’s top accounts, as well as feeder market development.

Her position with Omni provided opportunity for growth in corporate transient, group, conference services and catering sales. Yack later transitioned to the Regent Wall Street where she spent two years managing key global accounts as sales director for the five-star, five-diamond luxury property. In 2005, she moved on to be the assistant vice president of national sales for the Denihan Hospitality Group portfolio.

A member of the 2010-2012 NYCBTA Board of Directors and 2008-2009 HSMAI DOSM Special Interest Group, Yack values the importance of mentoring the next generation of hospitality sales professionals. Yack attended Johnson and Wales University, served with the United States Air Force Reserves and is the Mother of two young girls.

About The Lexington New York City
The Lexington New York City is centrally located in Manhattan’s midtown neighborhood and provides guests with immediate access to the city’s key business and entertainment areas. A storied hotel that originally opened in 1929, the property is undergoing a multi-million dollar transformation that will restore the jazz age glamour that made the Lexington New York City famous among celebrities, dignitaries and other notables. A new design concept that blends the hotel’s legacy with modern appeal will be showcased throughout the public spaces, as well as the 723 guest rooms and suites. Catering to the luxury business and leisure traveler, the Lexington New York City will house a collection of unique artwork commissioned by art aficionado and industry expert, Paige Powell, feature more than 1,000 square feet of flexible function space with state-of-the-art wireless technology, as well as a selection of on-site dining options that includes gourmet Chinese eatery, S. Dynasty; Taina Café featuring Nuevo Latino cuisine by star chef Diane DiMeo; Raffles, an American-style bistro with a jazz flare and the hotel’s Starbucks outpost. For more information please visit www.LexingtonHotelNYC.com

About DiamondRock
DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) that is an owner of premium hotel properties.  The Company owns 27 premium hotels with approximately 11,900 rooms and holds the senior mortgage loan on another premium hotel.  The Company's hotels are generally operated under globally recognized brands such as Hilton, Marriott, and Westin. For further information, please visit DiamondRock Hospitality Company's website at www.drhc.com.