"I am very pleased to welcome Heidi to The Chattanoogan," said Mr. Spann.  "She brings over a decade of financial experience within the hospitality industry to her new role.  We look forward to her leadership on our senior management team."

Heidi Kaufman was most recently the director of financial services for The St. Anthony, A Wyndham Historic Hotel located in San Antonio, Texas.  She previously held the title of assistant director of financial services for the property.

Ms. Kaufman has served in the accounting departments of Wyndham hotels in New Orleans, Little Rock, Arkansas, Denver and Phoenix.  She began her hospitality career as food and beverage manager for the Wyndham Garden Hotel of Chandler, Arizona.
In 2003, Heidi Kaufman was named 'Manager of the Year' for The St. Anthony, A Wyndham Historic Hotel.  She has also been named 'Manager of the Quarter' on three separate occasions throughout her career.

Ms. Kaufman is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a Bachelors of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.  In June of 2006, she earned the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) designation from the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Association, an organization she has been an active member of for the past three years.  Ms. Kaufman is also an executive member of the Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA.)  While in her previous position, Ms. Kaufman founded an Enrichment Committee at the hotel, an organization devoted to employee relations and community service initiatives.  She has relocated to Chattanooga.

The Chattanoogan, a 210,000 square-foot five-story upscale urban resort with 199 guest rooms and suites, features a 25,000 square-foot conference center with comprehensive meeting planning and audiovisual support services, three outstanding dining establishments, and a spa with four treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, fitness center, indoor pool, whirlpool and patio overlooking the hotel's courtyard.  The Chattanoogan is conveniently located within a two-hour drive from Atlanta; Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee; Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama.  For more information or reservations, call (423) 756-3400, toll free (877) 756-1684, or visit The Chattanoogan's website at www.chattanooganhotel.com.  Benchmark Hospitality International operates The Chattanoogan. 

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. 

Ken Ellens
Ken Ellens Communications 
201-758-2864 / 201-758-2865-Fax
[email protected]