Our Team

Burt Cabañas has been involved in hospitality since he was 14 years old working after school as a pool boy at The Shelborne Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.  He found that serving guests was in his blood. Now as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Benchmark Hospitality International, he oversees every property in Benchmark’s diverse portfolio.  His route took him from pool boy through various other service positions until he became executive assistant to the managing director and responsible for the operating departments of the Doral Hotel and Country Club, a five-star resort in Miami, Florida.  After six years at Doral, he joined Stouffer Hotels to open their first resort hotel and later became Regional Director of Operations responsible for the financial performance of six hotel and resort properties with over 2,000 guest rooms.  During that time he led the opening team for several new hotel projects and directed the operational responsibilities of a multi-million dollar renovation of an old landmark hotel in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1979 he was recruited to The Woodlands Resort and Executive Conference Center in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, as Vice President  and General Manager and later promoted to Senior Vice President involved in all of the hospitality related operations of The Woodlands Corporation, a subsidiary of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. These properties included The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center with golf and club operations, the Exxon Conference Center, the Tournament Players Golf Course, and The San Luis Resort Hotel on Galveston Island. In this role he also supported The Woodlands’ master-planned community development.  In 1986 after growing the company with three additional properties, he purchased the company. To this day it remains a privately held corporation.

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 in 1976 by Dr. Gerald Lattin, the Dean of The School of Hotel, Food and Travel Services. The University presented him with both the Alumni TorchAward and the FIU President’s Medallion Award in 2005. Today he serves as Chairman of the Industry Advisory Board for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at F.I.U.  Mr. Cabañas 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 IACC 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.  In 2012 he was presented with the IACC Global Distinguished Service Award by Peter Stewart, President of IACC’s Global Board of Directors.

Jim Treadway serves in the dual roles of vice chairman of Benchmark Hospitality International's Advisory Board and general manager of Bardessono in Yountville, Napa Valley, California, one of Benchmark's Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels properties. Jim's expertise, insights and heritage in hospitality are valuable to the future development of new projects for Benchmark Hospitality International. Previously founder and chairman of MTM Luxury Lodging, which Benchmark purchased in 2011, he is well known and respected in the hospitality industry for his 23 years with Westin Hotels and Resorts, at which he rose to the position of president of the North American Division.

Jim's career with Westin began in 1972. His managerial assignments included the Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg, Hotel Scandinavia in Oslo, The Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, The Olympic (now Fairmont) in Seattle, The Westin Hotel in Seattle, The Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, and The Westin Kauai in Hawaii. In 1990, he was promoted to senior vice president of operations for Westin, and in 1991 became president of the North American Division of Westin Hotels and Resorts, serving in that role until the company was sold to Starwood in1995.

Jim is a leader in the U.S. hotel industry and has been a frequent speaker at industry events. He has guest lectured at Cornell, Florida State, Washington State, Nova University, and the University of Washington. He is a former board/executive committee member of AH&LA and the Seattle CVB, as well as past president of Washington State's Hotel and Lodging Association. Jim is a founding member of Seattle's Lodging Roundtable and the Yountville Business Roundtable. He is a past Chairman of the Board of IndeCorp, now known as the Preferred Hotel Group. Jim currently serves on the board of Merrill Gardens, L.L.C., which owns and operates 50 retirement and assisted living communities across the U.S. He's an active volunteer with The Pathway Home organization at Yountville's Veterans Home, which assists returning traumatized combat veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars integrate back into society.

Jim is a third generation hotelier, whose lodging roots began with Treadway Inns in New England. He attended Dartmouth College, served in the Marine Corps, and later graduated from Cornell University in Hotel Administration.

David Arnold has thirty years of diverse experience in conference center development, planning and management. Mr. Arnold has conducted and directed economic feasibility studies, marketing strategies, corporate strategic planning studies, financial analyses and general business counseling for numerous organizations and individuals. He is the CEO-East of PKF Consulting, one of the largest hospitality and real estate consulting organizations of its kind in the world.

Mr. Arnold has experience in conference center and hotel operations, marina operations and development planning of hotels, conference and convention centers, retail mixed use, office and residential property. He was worked closely with some of the nation’s most prestigious real estate organizations, corporations and financial institutions, including Citibank, Prudential, The Sea Pines Company, Princeton University, CIGNA, Joseph C. Canizaro Interests, Mitchell Energy, Gates Rubber Company, Pitney Bowes, Xerox, University of Cincinnati, North Carolina State University and Indiana University.

Mr. Arnold has a national reputation as a consultant within the conference center industry. He is the author of The Conference Center Industry: A Statistical and Financial Profile, the most comprehensive publication of its kind. He was also one of the founders of the International Association of Conference Centers and serves on its Board of Directors. He was awarded the Association’s annual Distinguished Service Award in 1985.

As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Champion 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.

Prior to joining Benchmark in May 2009, Mr. Champion was president of Noble House Hotels & Resorts whose portfolio included 14 independent properties across the United States where he oversaw the direct management of all hotel operations. He was with Noble House since 2001 with prior service including executive vice president overseeing seven properties across the country and as the managing director of The Adolphus in Dallas. Mr. Champion left Noble House for a short period of time when he served as president and COO for Arizona-based Tiburon Hospitality Management.

Mr. Champion is a native of Seattle, Washington and attended Washington State University. He's a member of SKAL International and Chaine de Rotisseurs and has served on the board of directors for both the Dallas and Alaska Convention and Visitors Bureaus

Alex Cabanas is responsible for the all business development and finance functions, ensuring that Benchmark's commitments to owners of its managed properties remain in full focus, from contract negotiations through the life of the project with the company.  He leads the company's global growth initiatives, including the continued expansion of its portfolio of award-winning hotels, resorts, Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels, and conference centers. As it relates to strategic planning and organizational development efforts critical to successful growth, Alex works with Benchmark's entire executive team to move the organization forward. Additionally, he oversees the development of Benchmark's capital investment opportunities, relationships important to the company's expansion plans and Benchmark’s operations in Japan.

Alex was previously chief development officer for Benchmark. During his tenure in this role, the company added 13 properties to its management portfolio and expanded into South America. The company also acquired MTM Luxury Lodging, which led to the launch of the hospitality industry's newest luxury brand, Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels.

Alex Cabañas joined Benchmark Hospitality International 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.

As COO, Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels for Benchmark Hospitality International, James Simkins is charged with the development and operations of this newly launched collection of extraordinary personal luxury hotels. Previously a senior partner and the CEO of MTM Luxury Lodging, which Benchmark purchased in 2011, James was responsible for the overall leadership of MTM’s business with a particular emphasis, and love for, the art and science of designing, building and operating outstanding hotels. He was the primary influence in successful development of The Willows, Alderbrook Resort, Hotel 1000, The Ivy, The Liberty and Bardessono, some of MTM’s most unique properties.

Prior to joining his friend Jim Treadway at MTM in 2000, James had a distinguished international career with Westin Hotels & Resorts, beginning at The Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg from 1972 to 1986. Following this assignment James earned executive leadership positions at The Kowloon Shangri-la (operated by Westin) in Hong Kong and The Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles. In 1993, James’ success with these challenging assignments was recognized with a promotion to vice president, operations of Westin Asia Pacific, where he led the development (and served as managing director) of two of Westin most significant gems in Asia-the $620 million Westin Tokyo and the adaptive re-use project that became The Westin Sydney.

James graduated with a business degree from the University of South Africa and attended the University of Witwatersrand, also in South Africa, where he studied Civil Engineering. Simkins earned the AH&LA Institute Diploma and has lectured in Engineering for Hospitality Management for that organization. In all locations, he has assumed a leadership role within the industry and was acknowledged by Leaders Magazine as one of the world’s top hotel managers.

As Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Benchmark Hospitality International, Ted A. Davis 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.

For the past 25 years, Ted Davis has been active in hospitality sales and marketing for major brands within the industry, serving in important leadership positions. Most recently, he was vice president of sales and marketing for Noble House Hotels & Resorts, responsible for the strategic direction and operations of the company's global sales organization, as well as corporate brand management and marketing.

Previous to this position, Mr. Davis served as regional director of sales & marketing for Wyndham Hotels Corporation, with domestic and international responsibilities for hotels within the Luxury Resorts Division.

Ted Davis is a graduate of Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration.

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.

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.

Ellen serves as Senior Vice President for Benchmark Hospitality's Eastern region based in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Ellen supports the resort and conference centers operations at Benchmark locations such as operations for The Heldrich in New Brunswick, NJ, Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff Manor, NY, Downtown Conference Center in New York, 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.

Tom Garcia serves as Vice President of Operations for Benchmark Hospitality International. He provides operational support for Benchmark hotels, resorts and conference centers around the country.

Tom was most recently vice president and regional manager for Noble House Hotels & Resorts, responsible for operational oversight of properties on both US coasts and in the Midwest. Prior to this appointment, he was managing director and regional manager for the company.

Mr. Garcia has held leadership positions at several landmark properties and for leading hospitality brands within the United States, including hotels and resorts in Dallas, Houston, Lake Tahoe, Phoenix, Key West, and within the Caribbean. These assignments included general manager, regional vice president and executive director of food & beverage positions.

Cedric Fasbender serves as Vice President of Operations for Benchmark Hospitality International. He provides operational support for Benchmark hotels, resorts and conference centers around the country.

Cedric  was most recently regional vice president for Dolce Hotels and Resorts, where he also served as general manager for The Hayes Mansion, located in San Jose, California.  Prior to these dual appointments, Mr. Fasbender held the title of resort manager for the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. 

Throughout his career, Mr. Fasbender has served in a variety of senior leadership positions for independent luxury hotels and resorts, including previously for Benchmark Hospitality International.  He began his hospitality career working in food and beverage for properties within major hotel brands.

As Vice President of Revenue Management for Benchmark Hospitality International, Kim Nugent carries the responsibility of pricing, distribution and revenue management for all of the Benchmark portfolio. Having served in a variety of leadership roles in the travel industry, Kim has 20 plus years experience in revenue management, distribution and ecommerce. Kim has proven that effective revenue management will optimize RevPAR through analyzing and forecasting demand, establishing effective selling and oversell strategies, plus setting optimal market mix, including group, transient and wholesale.

Kim Nugent, 22-year hotel industry veteran, beginning her career in 1987 with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, formally Westin Hotels and Resorts, where she earned seven promotions to become the area director of revenue management for two large properties in Southern California, with revenue oversight over three others. Kim then joined Wyndham Hotels and Resorts as the central director of revenue management, responsible for revenue management at 15 hotels and resorts throughout the United States, where her properties showed some of the highest RevPAR gains in the company. Kim next moved to Omni Hotels/Allegiance Hospitality, becoming resort manager of the Hilton Ocean Front Resort. Prior to joining Benchmark, she served as regional director of revenue management for ResortQuest/Gaylord Entertainment, later became the assistant general manager for ResortQuest Hilton Head.

Lisa Maria Stice is vice president of global online marketing for Benchmark Hospitality International.  She was previously global director of online marketing for the company.  During her tenure with Benchmark Hospitality she has worked tirelessly and effectively to build the company’s new division of global ecommerce, significantly enhancing its ability to serve customers and owners.

Ms. Stice is a 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry.  Prior to joining Benchmark Hospitality, she held the title of associate vice president ecommerce marketing for Noble House Hotels & Resorts.  Stice previously served as corporate director of Internet marketing for Tiburon Hospitality Management.

Earlier in her career, Lisa served in sales leadership positions for Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, including the position of east coast regional director of sales & marketing.  She has been the recipient of numerous awards of excellence during her productive career, including HSMAI Adrian Awards for website development, Awards of Excellence, Gold Key Awards, Sales Manager of the Year Awards, and Strategic e-Marketing Awards.

Hal Powell is regional vice president sales & marketing for Benchmark Hospitality International. In this role, Mr. Powell is responsible for overseeing and supporting the sales & marketing programming for Benchmark's
properties throughout the northeastern and mid-western United States.

Previous to this position Mr. Powell was 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. 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 a signature resort on Lake George in Bolton Landing, New York. Previous to this he held director level sales and marketing positions of increasing responsibility at properties in New York City, Florida and Virginia.

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.

Eric Gavin is regional vice president sales & marketing for Benchmark Hospitality International. In this role, Mr. Gavin is responsible for overseeing and supporting the sales & marketing programming for Benchmark's
properties throughout the Southeastern and western United States.

Prior to joining Benchmark Eric served as the Vice President of Marketing  for Noble House Hotels & Resorts. Eric has a long career in hospitality and has held both regional and director of sales and marketing positions for other major hotel and resort brands.

Mr. McMinn has been responsible for the overall operation of the Benchmark Equipment Company 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 Hospitality's Staff Support Team. This responsibility includes the establishment, implementation, and maintenance of Purchasing Policies and Procedures for operating properties, 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 Purchasing for The Woodlands Inn and Country Club prior to the establishment 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 Association 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.

Ms. Rodriguez oversees the financial operations of the properties in Benchmark's management portfolio. Previously, she 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.

Vince Mennella is Vice President-Finance for Benchmark Hospitality International. His 25 years in Hospitality accounting\finance include oversight of complex hotel and resort assets. Prior to joining Benchmark, Mennella served in similar roles at Sage Hospitality, and operator of upper scale branded hotels and at Destination Hotels and Resorts which operates mainly independent ski and golf resorts

Mennella previously was Vice President – Hospitality Accounting for Wyndham International where he supervised the accounting function of all hotels a division that included 75 branded and independent properties.

Mennella’s formal education includes a Master Degree in Finance from the Illinois Institute of Technology.