David Udell, Group President Asia Pacific, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, leads a culturally diverse group of 26,000 colleagues in over 90 hotels with a mission to build customer preference and expand the company’s growing brand presence in the region. With over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, David has held a number of senior-level positions with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Singapore, Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Chicago. Prior to his current role, David served as Senior Vice President, Operations in Hyatt’s Global Operations Center in the company’s Chicago headquarters and led Hyatt’s Asia Pacific operations from its regional office in Hong Kong. David’s passion for hospitality emanates from his early years growing up in Connecticut which ultimately lead him to study Hotel Administration at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. David currently resides in Hong Kong with his wife and two daughters. They consider Thailand -- where his wife was born and raised -- their second home.