Mr. Burkhalter is responsible for a wide range of technical and design services. He serves an important liaison role between Benchmark and design and architectural consultants and contractors on specific new developments. His responsibilities include preparing and administering equipment design and specifications, preparing and administering project design critical paths and differential documents. He critiques and monitors project budgets, provides design alternatives, reviews and verifies all project plans, and prepares and reviews millwork design.
Mr. Burkhalter has been with Benchmark since 1989. Since joining the company, his major project accomplishments include the development and opening of The Northland Inn and Executive Conference Center, Resort at Squaw Creek, Lansdowne Resort, and The AT&T Learning Center. In addition, Mr. Burkhalter has coordinated the conversion of several hotels to conference centers including The Inn at San Luis and The Park Ridge at Valley Forge.
His background includes five years as project manager for Darlco, Inc. in Houston, where he was responsible for all architectural, engineering and construction activities for company-owned projects which included the Wyndham Hotel, Travis Center Medical Professional Building, World Towers office building and other commercial properties.
Prior to that he served three years as project manager for Mariner Development Corporation in Houston and was responsible for the development of the Wyndham Hotel in Houston and the Holiday Inn in Fullerton, California. Responsibilities included: 1) coordination of architectural and engineering consultants, 2) acquiring regulatory approvals, 3) preparation of schedules and budgets, 4) bidding and negotiation, 5) construction review, 6) installation of FF&E, and 7) project acceptance and warranty.
He also spent four years at the University of Houston as project manager for Facilities Planning and Construction. He obtained his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Houston and is a registered architect.