Jack Schmidt, chief marketing officer, made the announcement.  In doing so Schmidt stated that both professionals were being added to Benchmark's Home Office team in preparation for a new phase of growth for the leading hospitality management company, which is planning to add several new projects over the next few years. 

The appointments represented promotions for both Bullock and Powell, who have been with the Benchmark organization for several years.  Both executives bring to their new positions extensive experience and demonstrated success in building and leading award-winning sales & marketing teams, as well as developing long-term, productive relationships with major corporate customers of Benchmark.

Jim Bullock, Regional Vice President Sales & Marketing

Jim Bullock is a hotelier with over three decades of experience in both property- and corporate-level positions.  He was previously corporate director of sales for Benchmark, operating out of the Home Office in The Woodlands.  Bullock assumed this position in 2001 when Benchmark purchased International Conference Resorts (ICR), for which he had been corporate marketing director. 

During his long tenure with ICR, Bullock served in numerous positions of increasing responsibility for multiple properties and at the company's corporate headquarters. He gained valuable experience in many departments at several of the company's hotels and conference centers.  This experience extended to food & beverage, conference services, sales & marketing, and operations.  Bullock also gained significant knowledge in national business development, which he has strategically utilized in his work at Benchmark.  After joining the company, he was instrumental in seamlessly blending its company culture with that of ICR. 

Previous to his tenure with ICR, Bullock exercised his entrepreneurial talents by launching and growing a private retail business, which specialized in sports apparel for professional leagues and athletes.  He is a graduate of Arizona State University where he earned a Bachelors degree in Communications.  Jim Bullock and his family reside in The Woodlands, Texas.

Hal Powell, Regional Vice President Sales & Marketing

Hal Powell was previously 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, Powell lead the resort's sales team through some of its most successful years, in spite of challenging economic times.  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, Powell was resident manager and director of marketing for The Sagamore, the signature resort on Lake George in Bolton Landing, New York.  Previous to this he was part of the management team of Omni Hotels, serving in numerous positions of increasing responsibility at properties in New York City, Virginia and Florida. 

Early in his career, Powell worked as national sales manager at the Pinehurst Hotel and Country Club, located in Pinehurst, North Carolina.  He was also previously sales account executive at the renowned resort, The Homestead, in Hot Springs, 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.  He and his family have relocated to The Woodlands.

Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, operates resorts, conference centers and hotels both domestically and internationally.  For locations of Benchmark Hospitality properties and for additional information, visit Benchmark's Website at www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

BENCHMARK HOSPITALITY INTERNATIONAL
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas
www.benchmarkhospitality.com

Ken Ellens
KEN ELLENS COMMUNICATIONS
(201) 758-2864 / (201) 758-2865-Fax
KenEllens@aol.com