Andrew Firestone Joins Ty Warner Hotels &； Resorts

　　SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Ty Warner, owner of Ty Warner Hotels and Resorts and Ty Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Firestone as Director of Memberships. Firestone will be responsible for rolling out an exclusive membership program at Ty Warner''s Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club and Montecito Country Club in Santa Barbara, California.

    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021118/TYLOGO)

    Part of Firestone''s new role will be working to establish a membership community that will enjoy special access to Ty Warner''s premier properties. Though the membership program has traditionally focused primarily on the Coral Casino and Montecito Country Club, Firestone will implement a program that offers an elite package, which includes benefits at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, San Ysidro Ranch, Sandpiper Golf Club and Rancho San Marcos Golf Course which are all located in Santa Barbara, as well as the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City and the Las Ventanas Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

    "Andrew has a strong business background, but more importantly he has an intimate understanding of the local community and the properties that define our exclusive membership program," states Ty Warner.

    Firestone grew up in Santa Barbara, graduated from University of San Diego in 1998 with a degree in Business Administration, and went on to work in Institutional Finance in San Francisco. In 2003, Andrew returned to the region to work for his family business, Firestone Vineyards.

    According to Firestone, he was drawn to Ty Warner''s company out of his respect and admiration for the significant investments Warner made in renovating his iconic collection of properties.

    "I have been very impressed with Mr. Warner''s renovation efforts, and the great lengths he has undertaken to restore some of Santa Barbara''s signature properties," states Firestone. "I look forward to being part of the Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts vision, and working with members who value the history, beauty, and highest standard of amenities and services these properties have to offer," adds Firestone.

    In the last five years, Ty Warner has invested a significant amount of money into his hotels, club, and golf properties. This includes a $65 million historic rehabilitation effort which is nearing completion at the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club; $240 million renovation of Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore; $150 million renovation of the San Ysidro Ranch; a multi-million dollar overhaul of Rancho San Marcos Golf Course, located in the scenic wine region of Santa Barbara; $25 million in additions to the Las Ventanas resort; and over $100 million invested in the Four Seasons New York. Additionally, Ty Warner has retained Jack Nicklaus to create a Signature Course at the Montecito Country Club.

    Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts plans to make a special membership offering to prospective and current members in the coming months.

    ABOUT TY WARNER

    Ty Warner is also known for creating Beanie Babies and currently owns Ty Inc., the largest manufacturer of soft toys in the world. Mr. Warner is ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and is known for his generosity having donated over $100 million to charities globally.

    Contact: Greg Rice 805-695-8887 ext 17 mrhotels@aol.com

    Source: Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts