Benchmark Hospitality's Tom Shaver Named Adjunct Instructor of Practice at Virginia Tech

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. December 09, 2013

Houston, Texas - December 9, 2013 - Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has announced that Tom Shaver has been appointed adjunct instructor of practice for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Mr. Shaver is Benchmark's general manager for The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, a Benchmark Hotel® located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Blacksburg is also home to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Ellen Sinclair, senior vice president for Benchmark Hospitality, made the announcement.

"I think if Tom had not become a successful hotelier and general manager," said Ms. Sinclair, "he would have become a teacher. He loves the learning process and particularly loves helping young hoteliers find their way into a career that can take them anywhere across the globe. This is an ideal and well-deserved honor that Virginia Tech has extended to Tom and we at Benchmark Hospitality congratulate him!"

Tom Shaver brings 33 years of senior leadership experience within the hospitality industry to his new role as adjunct professor, including positions as general manager and owner / operator of a fine dining restaurant. He has guest lectured extensively for the University's Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management and worked actively toward furthering the relationship between the academic department and The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. In his new position he will continue to guest lecture and oversee Field Study students placed at The Inn.

Mr. Shaver and his team were instrumental in developing the University's Field Study program with a track for Rooms and another for Food & Beverage. The University's Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management students are required to have 300 hours of hospitality work experience and 400 hours of Field Study in order to graduate. The Field Study program graduated 10 students last year and expects to graduate a similar number in 2014.

Rick Perdue, Department Head and R.B. Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, who was active in securing Mr. Shaver's appointment as adjunct instructor, commented, "Tom is truly making a difference in the quality of opportunities for our hospitality students. We very much look forward to growing our department's relationship with him and The Inn." In addition to the academic experience, students are paid for their work at The Inn at Virginia Tech.

Mr. Shaver has served in the role of general manager for The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center since 2011. Adding to Tom Shaver's experiential credentials is previous recognition as "General Manager of the Year" by a leading hotel management company. He has also served in the role of chairman for a variety of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. He and his wife reside in Blacksburg.

About The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center

With 147 beautiful guest rooms and more than 23,000 feet of state-of-the-art conference space, the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center is a high-tech, upscale hotel and conference facility fully owned by Virginia Tech and operated by Benchmark Hospitality International. To learn more, visit www.innatvirginiatech.com.

About Benchmark Resorts & Hotels®

Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® represents the finest in lodging, dining, recreational and meeting accommodations. Many are certified by the International Association of Conference Centers, 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.