Kirk Jones Promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Benchmark Hospitality International
HOUSTON, TX. July 19, 2016 - The Woodlands - Alex Cabañas, chief executive officer of Benchmark Hospitality International®, has announced that Kirk Jones has been promoted to chief financial officer of the recognized global leader in the management and marketing of resorts, hotels and conference centers. The company's Benchmark Resorts & Hotels-brand portfolio merged with Gemstone Hotels & Resorts this past Monday, bringing the total number of properties managed to 58. Mr. Jones was previously senior vice president of finance for Benchmark Hospitality.
"On behalf of our newly joined management team, I congratulate Kirk on this well-deserved promotion to lead the finance and accounting functions of our growing company,” said Mr. Cabañas. “Kirk was instrumental in the merger of Gemstone and Benchmark, and will lead the integration of our finance teams with a keen focus on business intelligence and improving the financial skills of all managers and department heads.”
“The merger of Benchmark's and Gemstone's portfolios represents an enormous professional opportunity for our combined management team,” stated Mr. Jones. “My promotion is a harbinger of wonderful opportunities to come for many of our employees. At 8000 rooms and 10,000 employees, we are in an important space for internal professional development and advancement as we integrate the two leadership and employee teams together, and move toward future growth.”
Kirk Jones joined Benchmark Hospitality International in the spring of 2015. He brought with him an extensive professional background in international hospitality financial management. He has previously held positions such as executive vice president of finance for Capella Hotel Group, a company with a portfolio of independent and branded properties across the globe. He has also held property and regional financial leadership positions within several branded hotel companies, including Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites.
This past May, Kirk Jones was honored with the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award, presented by the Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Cleveland State University. Mr. Jones resides in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston.
About Benchmark Hospitality International®
Benchmark Hospitality International® is a global trailblazer in the management, marketing and ownership advisory expertise of resorts, hotels, conference centers and exclusive private clubs. The company's distinctive portfolios of properties, includes Benchmark Resorts & Hotels®, which recently merged with Gemstone Hotels & Resorts. Along with the upscale and distinctive Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels® portfolio, all properties represent the finest in guest-dedicated hospitality in unique destinations across the United States, in the Caribbean and Japan. Benchmark Conference Centers® maintain the highest standards for certification in meeting excellence. Benchmark Hospitality was launched in 1980 as an independent company and today operates worldwide from offices in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, and regional offices in Park City, Utah; Miami, Florida; New Jersey; Washington State and the country of Japan. For additional company information visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com. To become a fan on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/BenchmarkResortsandHotels, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BenchmarkHotels.
About Benchmark Resorts & Hotels®
Benchmark Resorts & Hotels®represents the finest in lodging, dining, recreational and meeting accommodations. Many are certified by IACC, the leading professional organization governing the multi-billion dollar conference center industry on five continents, and many have also been recognized with the coveted Benchmark Conference Centers®certification of meeting excellence. Benchmark Resorts & Hotels deliver highly specialized service that anticipates guests' needs and ensures a hospitality experience unsurpassed and long remembered. www.benchmarkresortsandhotels.com. To become a fan on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/BenchmarkResortsandHotels, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BenchmarkHotels.
About Gemstone Hotels & Resorts LLC
Headquartered in Park City, Utah, with offices in Stamford, Connecticut, and Miami Florida, Gemstone is a full-service management company that specializes in luxury and upscale hotels and complex resorts. Gemstone currently manages 19 hotels and resorts throughout the United States. For more information about Gemstone, please visit www.gemstoneresorts.com.
Contact:
Ken Ellens
[email protected]
201-758-2864
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
