The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, December 2014 … Benchmark Hospitality International® announces that Barbara Minch, director of human resources for The Heldrich Hotel, located in revitalized New Brunswick, New Jersey, is the recipient of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence. The annual award, which was created in 2005 by Burt Cabañas, founder & chairman of Benchmark Hospitality International, recognizes an employee of the leading U.S.-based hospitality management company who has exhibited extraordinary service throughout the previous year. Ms. Minch was presented with the prestigious award recently in a special ceremony at Benchmark’s Home Office in The Woodlands, Texas, just north of Houston. Barbara Minch was recommended for the Award of Excellence by Stacy Thaler Martin, Benchmark Hospitality’s general manager for The Heldrich.
“Barbara is one of the most accomplished human resource professionals with whom I’ve had the privilege to work,” said Ms. Martin. “In addition to her expertise, she is a uniquely caring, dedicated and compassionate professional, committed to providing the best service possible to her fellow employees. We feel so fortunate that she is on our team here at The Heldrich.”
Burt Cabañas said, “One of the most notable examples of Barbara’s passion for the development of The Heldrich hospitality team is the iCare Program she established and is championing. The iCare Program was created out of her enthusiam to engage the hotel managers and staff to always do the right thing for each other and for guests. She has been the driving force behind the program since its inception in 2013, and the initiative has impressively raised already high guest satisfaction and employee opinion scores.”
Mr. Cabañas goes on to say that despite a busy professional life, Barbara finds time to contribute to a number of organizations in her community and within New Jersey. Some of these include the Center for Vocational Rehabilitation, Montclair University, Elijah’s Promise and Johnson & Johnson Blood Services.
Barbara Minch is also a skilled bridge-builder between the employee and management teams at The Heldrich, tirelessly serving as the liaison between all parties to help ensure clear communications and responsiveness in the relationship between union and management. Mr. Cabañas concluded with, “The Chairman’s Award is designed to recognize and celebrate individuals who demonstrate excellence with significant impact and exemplify Benchmark Hospitality International’s core values. This is Barbara. She is the personification of Benchmark Hospitality’s signature ‘Be The Difference’ service culture. I congratulate Barbara on receiving this year’s Chairman’s Award of Excellence!”
