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executives and individuals transacting business at Prudential’s
headquarters office frequently stayed at the hotel.
Ostroff first obtained a Hilton franchise for the Gateway.
Although Hilton Hotels had been reluctant to grant Prudential a
franchise, Ostroff obtained the franchise by pointing out to
Hilton Hotels the other profitable business dealings it had with
Prudential.
Ostroff next hired another hotel management company to take
over the Gateway Hilton’s management and operation. This
management company was owned by Stanley Cox (Cox), an experienced
hotel manager Ostroff had known during Ostroff’s prior employment
with Hilton Hotels. At some point, Cox assigned John Connolly
(Connolly) to be the Gateway Hilton’s onsite manager. Ostroff
was extremely successful in turning around and substantially
improving the Gateway Hilton’s operating condition. Prudential
corporate headquarters executives eventually were proud to have
other Prudential executives and business visitors stay at the
hotel. Prudential executives also made significant use of the
hotel facilities for meetings and entertainment and were very
pleased with the service that they and their guests received at
the hotel.
Cox did not spend much of his own time actually running the
Gateway Hilton. Over the years, Cox delegated more and more
duties in the hotel’s operation to Connolly. In 1981, Connolly
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