benchmark, a global hospitality company
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Names Mitch Garrett Vice President of Business Development
May 29, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Mitch Garrett vice president of business development. Jarrad Evans, senior vice president, business development & strategy, made the announcement. "It is such a pleasure to welcome Mitch to our company," said Mr. Evans. "An exceptionally accomplished professional, Mitch comes to us with a broad background in hospitality and finance. He is the perfect professional to help expand Benchmark's remarkable growth trajectory domestically and internationally." Mitch Garrett brings a decade and a half of experience in capital markets...
BENCHMARK® Adds Washington’s Skamania Lodge to Management Portfolio
The Columbia River Gorge | May 23, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has announced that Skamania Lodge, in Stevenson, Washington, has joined its expanding Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio. The 258-guest room Skamania Lodge is set on 175 densely forested acres overlooking the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, just 45 minutes from Portland, Oregon. The resort, owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, is renowned for its Cascadian style architecture, natural woods, state-of-the-art conference center built to IACC standards, authentic Northwestern cuisine, and awe-inspiring, 360-degree Gorge views. Besides its a...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Names Orlando Ramos Director of Food and Beverage for The Ridge
May 9, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Orlando Ramos director of food and beverage for The Ridge, a Benchmark Conference Center® located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Mike Taylor, Benchmark's general manager at the property, made the announcement. "I am thrilled to welcome Orlando to The Ridge," said Mr. Taylor. "He is immensely talented and credentialed as is evident through his previous success in food and beverage operations with celebrity chefs and large hotel brands. Orlando is a welcome addition to our executive leadership team." Orlando Ramos comes to The Ridg...
BENCHMARK® Names Ron Droegmyer General Manager for The Essex Resort and Spa
May 8, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Ron Droegmyer general manager for The Essex - Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa, a Gemstone Collection property located in Essex, Vermont. Greg Champion, BENCHMARK's president and COO, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Ron to The Essex and to Benchmark," said Mr.Champion. "He comes to us with broad experience in leading hotels and resorts in multiple markets, and in enhancing sales revenue generation, guest service delivery and employee motivation. He is a terrific choice to lead this resort to new levels of...
BENCHMARK’s Sebastien Layen Named Senior Chef Champion in IACC’s Global Copper Skillet Competition
Executive Chef Sebastien Layen | May 7, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, announces that Sebastien Layen, executive chef at Deloitte University in Westlake, Texas, was named winner of the 2019 IACC Global Copper Skillet Competition, held recently in Toronto. IACC (formerly the International Association of Conference Centres) introduced the culinary competition in 2004 to highlight the artistry and skill of the best chefs from IACC-member conference venues around the world, and to honor chefs' contributions to providing an outstanding meeting experience. Chef Layen was the winner of regional competitions in IACC's A...
BENCHMARK® Names Jason Epsenhart Director of Facilities for The Grove Resort Orlando
The Grove Resort Orlando | April 29, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Jason Epsenhart director of facilities for The Grove Resort Orlando, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located near Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Bill Lee, general manager, made the announcement. "It is a great pleasure to welcome Jason to The Grove," stated Mr. Lee. "He has brought a remarkable background in resort facilities management and engineering to The Grove, which will further our ability to provide first-rate experiences to all of our guests. We are glad to have him as part of our leadership team." J...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Names Nate Waldron Winner of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence
April 29, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 2019 … Burt Cabañas, founder & chairman of BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, announces that Nate Waldron, director of operations at The Ridge in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is the recipient of the Chairman's Award of Excellence. The award annually recognizes a Benchmark employee who has exhibited exemplary service, actively demonstrating the company's "Be The Difference" service culture within Benchmark and the recipient's local community. Mr. Waldron was nominated for the Award of Excellence by Mike Taylor, Benchmark's general manager of The Ridge. Benchmark Founder and...
BENCHMARK® Names Frank Casarez, Jr., General Manager for The Nautical Beachfront Resort
April 16, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Frank Casarez, Jr., general manager for The Nautical Beachfront Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Greg Champion, Benchmark's chief operating officer, made the announcement. "It is with great pleasure that I formally welcome Frank to our company," said Mr. Champion. "he has brought vast and successful leadership experience to our resort, and understands the property's market well, having previously served in resort areas within Arizona." Frank Casarez, Jr., brings extensive seni...
