BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:HST), the nation’s largest lodging real estate investment trust, today announced that Minaz Abji will retire as Executive Vice President, Asset Management, effective April 30, 2017. Mr. Abji will continue as a senior advisor to the Company through October 30, 2017.

Mr. Abji has served as Executive Vice President, Asset Management since he joined Host Hotels in 2003, overseeing the Company’s global asset management, feasibility and portfolio analysis, business intelligence and revenue management departments. “Minaz is a dynamic, inspiring and influential industry leader who will be greatly missed,” said Jim Risoleo, president and chief executive officer at Host Hotels. “He has not only built a world class asset management platform but he has been a tremendous catalyst for growth, change and innovation within the industry. We thank Minaz for his great service and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

“I’ve been privileged to lead the best asset management team at Host and work alongside the best brand companies in the business,” said Mr. Abji. “It’s been an incredible journey for me, starting at the bottom and working my way up to a hotel general manager, and now ending my career with Host. It’s time for me to start my next chapter, spend time with my family and continue to give back to the industry and community that has surrounded me for so many years.”

Mr. Abji has been a long-time supporter of American Hotel and Lodging Association and has served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation since 2007. He recently received the 2016 Above and Beyond Humanitarian Award from The Lodging Conference.

About Host Hotels & Resorts

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is an S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company and is the largest lodging real estate investment trust and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels. The Company currently owns 89 properties in the United States and 7 properties internationally totaling approximately 54,000 rooms. The Company also holds non-controlling interests in six joint ventures, including one in Europe that owns 10 hotels with approximately 3,900 rooms and one in Asia that has interests in five hotels in India. Guided by a disciplined approach to capital allocation and aggressive asset management, the Company partners with premium brands such as Marriott®, Ritz-Carlton®, Westin®, Sheraton®, W®, St. Regis®, Le Meridien®, The Luxury Collection®, Hyatt®, Fairmont®, Hilton®, Swissôtel®, ibis®, Pullman®, and Novotel® as well as independent brands in the operation of properties in over 50 major markets worldwide. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.hosthotels.com.