As Senior Director - Supplier Diversity for Hilton Hotels Corporation based in Beverly Hills, California, Fred Lona directs the development, administration and execution of the Hilton Hotels' Supplier Diversity initiative. While ensuring compliance with the corporate-wide diversity strategy, he also seeks to incorporate innovative best practice programs in supplier diversity.

Mr. Lona joined Hilton Hotels in 2005, bringing more than 10 years experience in Supplier Diversity and 20 years in increasingly responsible management positions from AT&T, his prior employer. There, as AT&T Western Regional Director for Supplier Diversity, he developed and implemented corporate initiatives to accelerate MWBE utilization and business growth, including a federal program that generated over $200 million in revenue. Prior to that, as Procurement Manager - Pacific Northwest, he was responsible for managing over $100 million in real estate services, having previously held management positions in sales, marketing, and technical support.

Exemplifying his commitment to supplier diversity, Mr. Lona serves on numerous prestigious and diverse organizations that impact the industry, including Chair of the Southern California Minority Business Development Council; Chair of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Hospitality Industry Group; Vice Chair of the NMSDC Chairpersons Committee; member of the NMSDC Executive Board Committee, and the NMSDC Field Services Committee. As a member of the Board of the Institute of Supply Management Minority & Women Business Development Group, he contributes to educating, motivating, and providing expertise to ISM members in order to drive minority/women's business initiatives.

Other diverse organizations on which he served include: Asian Business Association, California DVBE Alliance, Latin Business Association, Northern California Supplier Development Council, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, and the Rocky Mountain Supplier Diversity Council.

Mr. Lona has earned numerous awards and recognitions, including: "Resolution of Appreciation" (Southern California Minority Business Development Council), "Outstanding Corporate Board Member" (Rocky Mountain Supplier Diversity Council), "Support Appreciation Award" (the California Black Chamber of Commerce), and AT&T's "Creating Excellence Awards," "Super Achievers Club," and "Excellence in Customer Satisfaction Awards."

Mr. Lona holds a BS in Marketing from California State University Long Beach and has completed two years of studies at the University of San Francisco Law School. He resides with his family in Glendale, California.