The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 2010 � Benchmark Hospitality International has named Michael Blaksteen director of food & beverage for Makena Beach & Golf Resort, located on the southern shore of Maui.  Kelly Lewis, general manager, made the announcement.

"I am pleased to welcome Michael to Makena Beach & Golf Resort,� said Mr. Lewis.  �He brings an international perspective to the property, as well as solid experience within the Hawaii market.�

A native of Denmark, Michael Blaksteen comes to his new role with 15 years of experience within the food & beverage industry.  Most recently, Mr. Blaksteen served as assistant food & beverage director for the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii, responsible for a food & beverage program generating $40 million in annual revenue with 13 full service outlets.  He had originally joined the property in the role of banquet beverage manager.

Previous to these appointments, Mr. Blaksteen was assistant food and beverage director for the historic, ocean-front Hotel Laguna of Laguna Beach, California.  He gained important experience in opening a hotel while serving as front desk manager of The Hampton Inn, located in Foothill Ranch, California. 

Earlier in his career, Michael Blaksteen was employed in positions of increasing responsibility within the international cruise industry.  He launched his career in hospitality at the Kur und Sporthotel Parkhotel Frank in Oberstdorf, Germany. 

Mr. Blaksteen earned his hotel management degree as Hotelkaufmann at the Staatliche Berufsschule Mindelheim in Germany.  He is currently the Balli and Conseiller Société Mondiale du Vin of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Bailliage de la Grande Île D'Hawaï.  Additionally, he is a member of L'Academie de Gastronomie Brillat-Savarin and holds many prestigious Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence.  Mr. Blaksteen is fluent in English, German and Danish as well as Norwegian and Swedish. 

Makena Beach & Golf Resort www.makenaresortmaui.com is situated on 1,800 acres of the southern shore of Maui in the Makena district of the island. The property offers 310 guestrooms and suites, each featuring private lanais, and commands sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, as well as vistas of Maui's diverse landscape and the 10,000-foot Mount Haleakala.

The resort also features championship golf on the acclaimed Makena Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr., 18-hole course that runs along the Pacific coastline, adjacent to the hotel. With stunning views from nearly every hole, the course is renowned for its ancient Hawaiian rock walls, natural gullies and stream beds, which were incorporated into the course's design.  Makena Beach & Golf Resort is operated by Benchmark Hospitality International.

Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Hotels�.  The independent company, launched in 1980, is a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers.  Benchmark Hospitality is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations.  Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston.  The company�s northeast regional office is in New Jersey, with international offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark�s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.