Benchmark Hospitality Names Gary Harnist VP of Construction & Design
Houston, Texas - August 15, 2013 - Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Gary Harnist vice president of construction & design. Alex Cabañas, Benchmark's president, business development & finance, made the announcement. Mr. Harnist will be based in Benchmark's Home Office in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston.
"It is an honor and a pleasure to welcome Gary to Benchmark Hospitality International," said Mr. Cabañas. "This is a new position for our company and will be important as we continue to grow and add new projects that require specialized expertise in construction management."
Gary Harnist brings three decades of experience in construction and design management to his new position with Benchmark Hospitality. He was previously senior vice president construction and design for Gatehouse Capital of Dallas, overseeing mixed-use, high-rise luxury residential, hospitality, restaurant, night club and retail projects. Prior to this he served as senior director construction management for the Chicago-based General Growth Properties.
Mr. Harnist has held senior-level construction management positions throughout much of his career, including construction consulting services. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture. He is relocating to The Woodlands.
About Benchmark Hospitality International
Benchmark Hospitality International® is a recognized global leader in the management and marketing of resorts, hotels and conference centers. The company's two distinctive portfolios of properties, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® and Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels®, represent the finest in guest-dedicated hospitality in unique destinations across the United States, in the Caribbean and Japan. As a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers, 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 New Jersey, Washington State, Japan and Chile. For additional company information visit www.benchmarkresortsandhotels.com/development. To become a fan on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/BenchmarkResortsandHotels, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BenchmarkHotels.
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 
