Contact: Ken Ellens
Ken Ellens Communications 
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Benchmark Hospitality International Appoints Senior-level

Revenue Management Executives

The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2009 …. Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the promotions and appointments of several revenue management executives for the leading hospitality management company.  The announcements were made by Eric Terry, vice president sales and marketing.

“It is with great pleasure that I announce the promotions of key revenue management executives at Benchmark Hospitality,” said Mr. Terry.  “These professionals have each made a significant positive impact on our business within their region and have proven invaluable to our properties.  They underscore the growing importance of strategic revenue management within our company.”

Benchmark Hospitality’s New Revenue Management Team

Appointed to the leadership position of vice president revenue management is Kim Nugent, who originally joined Benchmark Hospitality in 2008, serving as corporate director of revenue management.  During her tenure with Benchmark, Ms. Nugent has elevated the company’s revenue management function by maximizing opportunities, which have yielded significant revenue results.  She has also been instrumental in recruiting high-quality executives to Benchmark’s revenue management team.

Benchmark Hospitality has also appointed Ernesto Velázquez as area director of revenue management.  Mr. Velázquez was previously director of revenue for Hotel Contessa, a Benchmark Hospitality Personal Luxury Hotel™ located on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.  In this role, he helped the property establish a leadership position within the San Antonio market for revenue-per-available-room.  Prior to joining Benchmark Hospitality, Mr. Velázquez was director of rooms for the Omni San Antonio, and earlier served as director of revenue and director of rooms for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts at properties in the Caribbean and San Antonio.

Benchmark has appointed Mary Darre as area director of revenue management.  Ms. Darre comes to the Benchmark organization from Hyatt Hotels Corporation where she served as director of revenue.  During her 14-year tenure with this company, Ms. Darre was actively involved in the revenue management function of the organization, including training new directors in the discipline.

Additionally, Benchmark has promoted Seth Spencer to area director of revenue management.  While previously serving as revenue manager at The Chattanoogan, Benchmark’s property in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mr. Spencer achieved an amazing annual 134% Rev PAR index relative to competitors in the market. 

Also, Benchmark has promoted Nicole Di Maio to area director of revenue management.  Ms. Di Maio joined Benchmark Hospitality as front desk agent at North Maple Inn in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, which the company managed at the time.  She was rapidly promoted to positions of increasing responsibility, including serving as revenue manager for The Heldrich Hotel & Spa in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where she enabled the property to achieve an annual Rev PAR index of 113.3%. 

Finally, Michelle Auelua has been appointed as area director of revenue management.  Ms. Auelua originally joined Benchmark Hospitality at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu, serving as credit manager in the Finance department.  Subsequently, she received her Bachelors in Accounting degree from the University of Phoenix, and her MBA in Finance from Chaminade University.  Ms. Auelua was promoted to revenue manager for Turtle Bay Resort in 2004 and director of revenue for the landmark property in early 2009.

Attached Photo (L to R):  Kim Nugent, Ernesto Velázquez, Mary Darre, Seth Spencer, Nicole Di Maio, Michelle Auelua.

About Benchmark Hospitality International

Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Hotels™.  The privately held company, launched in 1980, is a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers.  Benchmark Hospitality is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations.  Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston, with regional offices in New Jersey and Connecticut.  International offices are located in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark's properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com. 

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