"It is with great pleasure that I welcome Amanda to this historic property," said Mr. Gleason.  "She brings to her new role nearly two decades of solid experience with first rate properties in markets around the world, which will serve West Baden Springs Hotel well as we move toward reopening."

Amanda Hawkins-Vogel was most recently director of operations for the Camberley Hotel Company of Atlanta, which specializes in historic properties.  She was responsible for the company's rooms division, revenue management and information technology.  Previous to this she was a project manager and director of rooms for Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts, working on projects in The Bahamas and the corporate office in Hong Kong. 

Ms. Hawkins-Vogel has served as systems manager for China World Hotel in Beijing.  She was also regional information systems manager for Hilton International in Canada and held various positions within Hilton International in Beijing and Australia..  Earlier in her career she worked with Inter-Continental Hotels at locations in Sydney and Seoul, where she also served on a pre-opening team.

The historic West Baden Springs Hotel will reopen in June 2007 after being closed since 1932. Built in 1902, the hotel gained recognition for its elegant atrium topped by what was once the world's largest free-span dome and became widely known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." The newly restored property will provide guests unparalleled luxury with 246 completely refurbished guestrooms and suites, a new spa and fitness center, and exciting new restaurants. 

The West Baden Springs Hotel is part of the $382 million historic restoration and expansion project at the French Lick Resort Casino, that also includes the French Lick Springs Hotel and the new French Lick Casino, which opened in November. When complete, this premier resort and casino destination will feature a total of 689 guestrooms and suites; an 84,000-square-foot casino with a 42,000 square-foot, single-level gaming floor; 45 holes of golf, including the fully restored 1917-designed Donald Ross Course and a new, 18-hole Pete Dye course (opening 2008); two full-service spas with a combined 36 treatment rooms totaling 41,000 square feet; and an array of dining and entertainment options. 

For more information on West Baden Springs Hotel, visit www.westbadenresort.com.  For general information on the French Lick Resort Casino destination, visit www.frenchlick.com or call 1-888-MyHideaway (888-694-4332).

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