From 1979 through 1997, initially as Senior Vice President of The Woodlands Corporation and in his present capacity as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Benchmark Hospitality International, Mr. Cabañas was involved in all of the hospitality related operations of The Woodlands Corporation, a subsidiary of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. These properties include the Woodlands Executive Conference Center and Resort, The Woodlands Country Club, the Exxon Conference Center, the Tournament Players Golf Course, and The San Luis Resort Hotel on Galveston Island.

Prior to establishing Benchmark Hospitality International, Mr. Cabañas was Regional Director of Operations for Stouffer Hotels and responsible for the financial performance of six hotel and resort properties totaling over 2,000 guest rooms. During that time he led the opening team for several new hotel projects and directed the operational responsibilities of an $18 million renovation of an old landmark hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. His tenure at Stouffer Hotels was four and one-half years.

Prior to working for Stouffer Hotels, Mr. Cabañas was responsible for all of the operating departments of the Doral Hotel and Country Club, a five-star resort in Miami, Florida. He spent six years with the Doral organization.

A graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Mr. Cabañas was conferred the title of Honorary Community Professor by the Dean of The School of Hotel, Food and Travel Services at Florida International University. The university presented him with both the Torch Award and the FIU Medallion Award in 2005. He also serves on the Industry Advisory Board for the School of Hospitality Management at F.I.U. He has served on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston, and is a founding board member and a past president of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). While serving as president, he co-authored with Laventhol & Horwath "The Uniform System of Accounts for Conference Centers." In 1988 the International Association of Conference Centers presented Mr. Cabañas with The Mel Hosansky Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the Association and to the conference center industry.

As President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Haigh has overall responsibility for the operations of all Benchmark Hospitality International projects in North America. He also provides oversight for the field staff support functions as well as for the home office staff functions of sales and marketing and human resources.

Mr. Haigh first began with Benchmark in 1981, initially as Vice President of The Woodlands Corporation, then as Executive Director of Benchmark during its first three formative years. Prior to returning to the company as Chief Operating Office in January 1995, he led Doral Hotels and Resorts Management Corporation as President for five years. During this time he orchestrated the dramatic profit turnaround, which enabled the real estate parent to sell its resort properties on very favorable terms, at the same time successfully initiating and expanding the company’s management contract business.

Mr. Haigh’s hospitality industry experience also includes ten years with Marriott Hotels and Resorts in a progression of sales and marketing roles leading to Regional Director of Marketing for the Caribbean, and four years with Stouffer Hotels and Resorts, initially as Vice President Sales, then as Vice President Operations. In addition to his close involvement with the Benchmark projects, his conference center resume includes operating the Arrowwood Resort Conference Center in Westchester County, New York, as Vice President and General Manager for five years, first for Citibank, then for Doral, taking the property to a highly successful operation. Mr. Haigh was also personally involved in the acquisition and supervision of the contract to manage the GE Management Development Institute in Ossining, New York.

A graduate of Cornell University, Sam Haigh has a strong commitment to the hospitality industry and specifically to the conference center segment. He served two years as President of the International Association of Conference Centers and served eight years on the IACC Board of Directors. During that time he developed the IACC marketing course taught at Cornell University and co-authored the IACC publication “Understanding Conference Centers.” In 1993, the International Association of Conference Centers presented him with The Mel Hosansky Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the conference center industry. Also active in other industry and civic organizations, Mr. Haigh has served as president of the Missouri Chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International; board director for the Westchester Council for the Arts, for the Norwalk Maritime Museum, and for the University of New Haven School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Administration; and he currently serves as an officer and director for the Stamford Cultural Development Corporation.

A seasoned hotelier with over 15 years of senior-level industry experience, Greg Champion previously held the position of president for Noble House Hotels & Resorts of Kirkland, Washington. In this role, Mr. Champion oversaw the direct management of each of the 14 properties within the company’s portfolio, including marketing, sales, revenue management, food and beverage, human resources, retail and spa services. During his tenure at Noble House, Mr. Champion also served as executive vice president overseeing seven properties in locations across the United States, and held the positions of managing director for The Adolphus in Dallas and general manager of LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort of Naples, Florida.

Mr. Champion has also served as president and chief operating officer for Tiburon Hospitality Management of Carefree, Arizona. He launched his hospitality career with ITT Sheraton through their General Management training program and served in multiple management positions at Sheraton properties in Long Beach and Los Angeles, ending as general manager of the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa in Anchorage, Alaska.

A native of Washington, Greg Champion attended Washington State University. He is a member of Skål International, the only international association that brings together all sectors of the professional Travel and Tourism industry, and of the prestigious international gastronomic organization, the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Mr. Champion is a previous member of the Board of Directors for the Dallas and Alaska Convention and Visitors Bureaus, and is active in tourism, culinary and hospitality associations.

Mr. Blyshak is responsible for the complete financial activities of Benchmark Hospitality International including procurement and administration of all corporate and property group insurance programs, benefit programs and information technology systems. His responsibilities include overseeing the financial reporting for all Benchmark corporate entities and managed properties, contract negotiation, federal and state tax administration/reporting, attorney relationships and banking relationships. He currently serves as a member of Benchmark’s board of directors, is a member of the Southwest Bank of Texas Advisory Board and has served on the Board of Directors of Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals and the Financial Management Committee of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Dennis Blyshak joined the Benchmark staff in 1987 as a property controller and held that position at various properties before coming into the corporate home office in 1990. His experience prior to Benchmark includes seventeen years with Stouffer Hotels and Doubletree Hotels. Dennis attended Robert Morris College where he majored in accounting.

In addition to serving as assistant to the chairman and chief executive officer of Benchmark Hospitality International, Ms. McClure coordinates functions between all Benchmark projects and the home office in The Woodlands including all administrative support services. She also directs the home office adminis¬trative staff functions.

Ms. McClure has been with Benchmark since 1983. Prior to that she worked as secretary to the chairman and president of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. She attained her Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) rating in 1980 and received her Bachelor of Science degree in business technology from the University of Houston.

She has been actively involved with the International Association of Conference Centers for over 20 years and is presently a member of the Board of Directors.

Ellen serves as Vice President for Benchmark Hospitality’s Eastern region based in New Brunswick, New Jersey. As Vice President, Ellen supports the resort and conference centers operations at Benchmark locations such as operations for The Heldrich in New Brunswick, NJ, Glen Cove Mansion in Glen Cove NY, Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff Manor, NY, Lockheed Martin’s Center for Leadership Excellence in Bethesda, MD and Conference services management as Conference Solutions at Pfizer’s headquarters in New York City and at their New Jersey locations.

Ellen joined Benchmark in 1995. In her years with Benchmark, Ellen has made impressive contributions in each of her assignments with the company, first as General Manager at the AT&T Learning Center, then as Vice President of Human Resources, and as Vice President and Interim General Manager at Turtle Bay Resort. In her current role she leads Benchmark operations in the eastern United States.

As a member of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Conference Centers, Ellen is responsible for the association’s Learning Network, its multi-dimensional educational arm. IN 2006, she received IACC’s Pyramid Award for educational leadership. Having graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Business Administration, Ellen is a Certified Hotel Administrator through the American Hotel & Lodging Association. She also is certified as a Real Property Administrator and a Facilities Management Administrator by BOMI.

Greg Parsons is currently Vice President with regional operational responsibilities and located at Eaglewood Resort Spa. He provides regional support for Bedford Springs, Eaglewood Resort, Hotel Contessa, The Founders Inn, Stonewall Resort and The Council House and Wingspread, both of which are owned by the SC Johnson Company.

Prior to joining Benchmark Greg was General Manager for Radisson Hotel Company at properties located in Arizona, Ohio and Minnesota. Prior to Radisson he held operational and sales manager level positions at various Hilton Hotels.

Greg is a graduate of Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management.

Greg is a past member of Rotary International and Lions Club; he also held several board level positions with Convention and Visitor Bureaus and Lodging Associations. Greg is currently the President of Dupage County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Bob Zappatelli, Benchmark Hospitality’s beloved Vice President of Food and Beverage, unexpectedly and peacefully passed away Sunday, May 31st, 2009. His loss is profoundly felt by all who knew him.

Bob Zappatelli was a great man, an inspiring leader, and a devoted friend. He expertly served the people and customers of Benchmark Hospitality International for 15 years and in a multitude of capacities. These included as Executive Chef, Director of Food & Beverage, General Manager, Corporate Food & Beverage Director, and eventually Vice President of Food & Beverage -- Benchmark’s first!

In honor of Bob Zappatelli and his significant contributions to the food and beverage profession, Benchmark Hospitality International is establishing a scholarship fund in his name, with specific details to follow at a later date.

To share in a special Tribute to Bob Zappatelli, please visit: tributetobobz.blogspot.com

As Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Benchmark Hospitality International, Eric Terry is responsible for the company’s strategic sales and marketing initiatives. He has oversight of the company’s enterprise sales and marketing systems, the national database of meeting planners, revenue management, global distribution, advertising and promotion, the national awareness campaigns, interactive marketing and e-commerce, customer relationship management programs, as well as sales training and compensation programs.

His prior experience includes five years with Marriott Hotels and Bristol Hotels in group sales management and director of sales assignments. Eric then moved to Pratt Hotel Corporation as Regional Director of Sales and Marketing, responsible for seven hotels in the western United States. Shortly after Pratt was acquired by Hollywood Casino Corporation, Eric earned five promotions over the next eleven years with that company. Assignments included Director of Hotel Development, Vice President of Sales and Marketing/Vice President of Operations for the entire 4,300-room portfolio which included international and domestic operations, Director of Casino Development, and Corporate Marketing Director.

More recently, Eric served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Malibu Entertainment Worldwide, managing all direct sales, marketing, and public relations for 35 family oriented entertainment parks throughout the United States. Most recently Eric operated his own Dallas-based company, Xelerate Group, handling event marketing, sponsorship marketing, celebrity appearances, and marketing consulting for Fortune 1000 companies, sports organizations including several NASCAR and Indy teams, charitable organizations and civic accounts.

Eric is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. Degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. He is active in Meeting Planners International and HSMAI, served as President of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association – Dallas / Fort Worth Chapter, is a Board Member of The Texas Music Project, served as Vice Chair of Senior Adult Services, and is former President of the Crowne Plaza Marketing Association.

Hal Powell was previously the director of sales & marketing for Benchmark's East Coast flagship, Lansdowne Resort, located in Lansdowne, Virginia, near Washington, DC. A hospitality professional with extensive experience in strategic sales & marketing, Mr. Powell led the resort's sales team through some of its most successful years, in spite of challenging economic times. During this period he also served as Benchmark's marketing field staff support for several of the company's properties located on the US East Coast.

Before joining Lansdowne in 2000, Mr. Powell was resident manager and director of marketing for The Sagamore, the signature resort on Lake George in Bolton Landing, New York. Previous to this he was part of the management team of Omni Hotels, serving in numerous positions of increasing responsibility at properties in New York City, Virginia and Florida.

Mr. Powell is a graduate of SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management. He and his family reside in The Woodlands, Texas.

Ms. Rodriguez is based at the company's Home Office in The Woodlands, Texas and oversees the financial operations of the properties in Benchmark's management portfolio.

Previously, Ms. Rodriguez was corporate controller for Benchmark Hospitality for two years. She also served as operations controller for the company and was responsible for managing the financial aspects of acquisitions, takeovers and transitions. She began her affiliation with the Benchmark organization as controller for The Forrestal Hotel of Princeton, New Jersey, a property the company repositioned as a first class hotel and conference center. Earlier in her career, she served as assistant controller and controller for the New York Palace Hotel, a signature property located in the heart of Manhattan. Prior to this she served as the regional controller for Trust House Forte and was based at The Philadelphia Palace Hotel.

Ms. Rodriguez is a graduate of New York University with a degree in Financial Accounting and attended The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She resides in The Woodlands, Texas.

As Vice President of Information Technology, Mr. Thiel provides support to all Benchmark properties in the technology areas. This includes operational reviews for all Benchmark properties, strategic planning of new opening and transition properties and implementation of systems such as corporate-wide area network and e-mail. He is also responsible for installation, support and development of Benchmark property specific systems. Mr. Thiel also serves as a member of the Benchmark Technology Committee.

Rodney joined Benchmark in 1989 as pre-opening Director of Purchasing for The Northland Inn and Executive Conference Center in Minneapolis. Prior to joining Benchmark, he served as Purchasing Manager for the Amfac Hotel and then for the Marriott Hotel, both in Minneapolis.

Alex is responsible for the company’s growth initiatives, including the expansion of its portfolio of award-winning resorts, personal luxury hotels, and conference centers, both domestically and internationally. As it relates to strategic planning and organizational development efforts critical to successful growth, Alex will coordinate with the Benchmark executive team to move the organization forward. Additionally, he oversees the development of Benchmark’s capital investment opportunities and relationships important to the company’s expansion plans.

Mr. Cabañas joined Benchmark in January 2006. Prior to joining Benchmark he worked for The Boston Consulting Group from 2000 through 2005. While with BGC he worked with clients in a number of different industries including: travel and tourism, government, consumer/retail, telecommunications, e-commerce, financial services, and energy. His assignments included a variety of different tasks including: lodging investment proposal, market sizing and segmentation, competitive benchmarking, product development, process management, asset valuation, new business development and growth strategy.

Alex earned his MBA at Harvard Business School and holds a BBA and MS in Finance from Texas A&M University.

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 responsi¬bilities 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 addi¬tion, 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.

Mr. McMinn, Vice President of Benchmark Equipment Company, has been responsible for the overall operation of the entity since its inception in 1983. The responsibilities of this organization include the negotiation of national account agreements with manufacturers and suppliers of products utilized by the hospitality industry and procurement of products for the operating properties of The Benchmark Management Company, its parent organization.

In addition, Mr. McMinn is a member of The Benchmark Manage¬ment Company's Staff Support Team. This responsibility includes the establishment, implementation, and maintenance of Purchasing Policies and Procedures for operating proper¬ties, project coordination of capital expenditure projects, and participation in special task force projects.

Mr. McMinn has more than twenty-one years of experience in the hospitality industry. He served as Director of Purchas¬ing for The Woodlands Inn and Country Club prior to the estab¬lishment of Benchmark Equipment Company. Previously he was Purchasing Coordinator for several Hilton Hotels, including The Waldorf Astoria.

Mr. McMinn is an allied member of the International Associa¬tion of Conference Centers (IACC) and has served on a variety of committees, notably the Annual Conference Planning Committee. In 1994, he was elected to a two-year term on the Board of Directors.

As Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Benchmark Hospitality International, Courtney Lowe is responsible for the company’s east coast properties. He brings a highly skilled strategic approach to Sales and Marketing with an expertise in high-end luxury resorts. Mr. Lowe is a hospitality industry veteran with over twenty years in the sales & marketing field.

Mr. Lowe’s skill set includes a very strong combination of group sales and transient travel. Most notably, Mr. Lowe has championed many successful leisure travel campaigns in the resort arena utilizing unique packaging and rate promotion programs. His knowledge of Internet marketing coupled with a strong revenue management practice has yielded outstanding results in his recent career.

Mr. Lowe was previously the successful director of sales and marketing for Bedford Springs Resort, the historically important property located in central Pennsylvania, which Benchmark opened and operated at the time. During his tenure with the resort and in its first year of operation following restoration, he and his team achieved remarkable success developing new business for the property, which had been closed for 20 years, and eventually dominated the market.

Prior to joining Benchmark Hospitality International, Mr. Lowe was General Manager for the Equinox Resort & Spa of Manchester Village, Vermont. He began with the landmark resort as Director of Sales and Marketing, experiencing significant success in this role. While at the property, Mr. Lowe worked under the RockResort brand.

Courtney Lowe also served as Director of Sales & Marketing for the renowned Boar’s Head Inn & Resort of Charlottesville, Virginia. Prior to this, he held the title of regional sales executive for Corcoran Jennison Companies of Boston, responsible for the Ocean Edge Resort of Brewster, Massachusetts, Cranwell Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts, and Hawk Mountain Resort of Killington, Vermont.

Mr. Lowe graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, earning a Bachelors degree in Economics and Management. He has served on the board of a number of professional organizations, including the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association of Virginia, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the New England Inns & Resorts Association, and the Vermont Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Juan Carlos has extensive experience in establishing and operating international ventures in the United States, Europe (France, Monaco, UK, Switzerland, Italy), the Caribbean, Central and South America (Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Panama, Chile), locations in which he has held positions for entities such as TIG Capital Group, Interfinancial Insurance, Inc., TRB Texas, and Stanford Trust Company, Ltd.

Mr. Contalba initiated his career in the hospitality industry during the early days of Benchmark Hospitality International at The Woodlands Inn and Conference Center. Later, he was asked to participate in Benchmark’s first opening of a property, The San Luis Resort. Afterwards, he joined Hyatt Hotels Corporation with assignments in Houston, San Francisco, Monterey, Puerto Rico, and New York. His tenure at Hyatt was seven years.

Mr. Contalba has also devoted many years of his professional life to other endeavors in the financial and legal fields. He served on a negotiating committee during the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the governments of Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Simultaneously, he represented foreign companies and individuals doing business in the United States as well as US entities and individuals doing business abroad. He attended Rice University, and the South Texas College of Law. A frequent lecturer on international financial crimes and money laundering issues, he has taught at institutions of higher education in Mexico and Chile. He is an active member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and the American Bar Association, and has provided his expertise to private financial institutions and government entities in the United States and abroad in resolving international financial fraud and crimes, as well as on FCPA and Sarbannes-Oxley Act matters.

Mr. Contalba’s bicultural and multilingual abilities have been essential tools to set up operations for companies in the Caribbean, the United States, Mexico, and Chile, countries in which he has worked and resided.