In 2016, nearly 1,000 Team Members and franchisee employees submitted nominations recognizing their own colleagues for demonstrating the Hilton values at work and in their own personal lives. A committee of representatives from across the company selects the finalists and Hilton President & CEO Christopher J. Nassetta chooses the 12 winners.

"Our CEO Light & Warmth Award recipients are truly inspiring leaders who go above and beyond to spread the light and warmth of hospitality each and every day," said Nassetta. "I am incredibly proud of each of this year's recipients, and we are all honored to have them as part of our team."

The 2016 CEO Light & Warmth Award winners are:

• Ossama Atwa, Housekeeping Senior Supervisor - Hilton Hurghada Long Beach Resort
• Kevin Barker, Chief Engineer - Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile
• Julian Grainger, Executive Chef - Hilton Minneapolis
• Bill Hao, Laundry Attendant - Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai
• Jorge Montanero, Chief of Security - Hilton Colon Guayaquil
• Craig Poole, General Manager - DoubleTree by Hilton Reading (Pennsylvania)
• Jessica Pruitt, Coordinator for BPS Homewood/Home2 - Corporate Office (Memphis)
• Abdullah Qassemi, Guest Services - Hilton San Francisco Union Square
• Alexander Spitaler, Executive Housekeeper - Hilton Vienna Danube
• Amparo Torres, Executive Housekeeper - Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando UCF
• Leonie Trottmann, Human Resources & Accounting Assistant - Hilton Garden Inn Davos
• Yesica Villalobos, Front Office Manager - Hilton Garden Inn Houston Westbelt

All Team Members of Hilton and its franchisees - including all brands and corporate offices around the world are eligible for the CEO Light & Warmth Award.