December 17, 2001 - Making history in a city whose heritage dates back to the 16th century is no easy task but Troy S. Bennett, the general manager of St. Augustine�s elegantly restored Casa Monica Hotel, is doing just that. Since he opened this 140-room, AAA four diamond-rated historic hotel in 1999, he has been instrumental in ushering in a new era of elegance and leadership in the hospitality industry in St. Augustine, a city that built its reputation as a vacation destination more than one hundred years ago.

As the opening general manager of this landmark hotel (owned by hotelier Richard Kessler of Grand Theme Hotels), Bennett�s goal was to recreate a level of grandeur that the property and city once enjoyed. The hotel is a prime example of opulent Mediterranean Revival architecture and was built in 1888 by millionaire railroad magnate Henry M. Flagler to accommodate the thousands of tourists who flocked to Florida�s Northeast coast during the late 19th and early 20th century. Following Richard Kessler�s two-year, $25 million restoration, today The Casa Monica Hotel, a Grand Theme Hotel has once again become a world-renowned resort destination, recognized as the social hub of the city for its outstanding cuisine and level of service as well as its commitment to the Northeast Florida community. Under Bennett�s direction, the hotel has been accepted into Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide as well as Historic Hotels of America, both prestigious associations representing premier properties around the United States and the world.

Leading a hotel and its staff to a position of leadership and excellence is a role Bennett has practiced time and time before. He has served as a general manager for the past 11 years managing both three- and four-diamond hotels, resorts, and convention center facilities in Southern and Northern California, Arizona, Kentucky, South Florida and now St. Augustine. During that time, he helped elevate numerous properties to positions of preeminence in their markets, overseeing millions of dollars of renovations and exceeding sales and service benchmarks at every turn.

Bennett began his hospitality career at the age of 15 working as a kitchen steward at the Park Suites Hotel in Orlando. His talent and enthusiasm came to the attention of his managers and he quickly was on the fast track, working his way up the echelon of the hotel. In his goal to gain experience in every facet of the hospitality industry, Bennett worked in every position available in the hotel�from the kitchens to the front desk reception area. As a bellman for the Park Suite Hotel, Bennett, who has a knack for guests relations and personal service, was voted Associate of the Year two years in a row. As a reward, he was invited to attend the hotel chain�s six month-long management training program and soon after was serving as Front Office Director of another Park Suite Hotel location in Orlando. After two years, he was offered the position of assistant general manager at the 310-room Crown Sterling Suites in Orange County, Calif., and within six months of arriving there, was promoted to general manager of this all-suite, full-service hotel.

Bennett�s secret to success at The Casa Monica Hotel as well as the other properties he has managed is his hands-on management style. He takes an active role in sales and marketing and strives for the highest level of associate and guest satisfaction. As a result, Bennett has mastered the art of creating a unique guest environment through delivery of unfailing top-level service, developing his hotels as food and wine destinations, and fostering community ties through charitable contributions and involvement.

As a result of Bennett�s efforts and relentless attention to detail, The Casa Monica Hotel was recently invited to host a special fine dining event at the prestigious James Beard House located in New York City and was chosen by the esteemed Culinary Institute of America, the nation�s premier culinary school, to become a host site for the school�s international internship program. Also under Bennett�s leadership, The Casa Monica Hotel was selected to host a high-profile and rare visit from King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain in April 2001 and in October 2001 raised more than $80,000 to benefit rescue personnel in New York City and Washington, D.C. following the September 11 terrorist attacks on those cities. Bennett, who is a Certified Hotel Administrator by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, has also become a leader in the community and is the president-elect of the St. Johns County Hotel and Motel Association and served in similar top leadership roles in other parts of the country as he worked his way up in the hospitality industry.

Though his career has taken him all over the country, his heart is in his new home of St. Augustine and The Casa Monica Hotel. �As a premier property of the Grand Theme Hotels chain, headquartered in Orlando, The Casa Monica is truly unique and I see myself as its guardian. It is a privilege and a pleasure I have worked all my life to achieve,� he comments. �The unique �theme� of this hotel is its own legacy�its opulence, its character, and its 113-year history�which now the public can enjoy once again.�