�Ellen has performed in an exemplary way throughout her employment at the North Maple Inn and for Benchmark,� stated Mr. Taylor.   �We look forward to her continued leadership as director of operations.�

Ellen Ruane-Johnson was previously director of rooms for the North Maple Inn.  In this position she was instrumental in significantly increasing rooms revenue and profitability.  She was also a key participant in repositioning the hotel as the North Maple Inn. 

Prior to this, Ms. Ruane-Johnson was director or rooms for The Forrestal at Princeton, a signature property located in Princeton, New Jersey, which was at the time managed by Benchmark Hospitality.  Before this she was assistant general manager for Holiday Inn of Secaucus, New Jersey.   She began her hospitality career at the Radisson Hotel & Suites of Fairfield, New Jersey. At this property she held positions of increasing responsibility, including front office agent, front office manager and assistant general manager.  Ms. Ruane-Johnson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Montclair State University, located in Montclair, New Jersey. 

North Maple Inn at Basking Ridge (www.northmapleinn.com) offers 171 well-appointed guestrooms with 16 spacious suites; 20,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space with 25 conference rooms, including an 84-seat tiered amphitheater; and comprehensive meeting support services.  The hotel also offers Watson�s, a casual lounge; Cuisine, a restaurant serving internationally inspired fare in an open-hearth kitchen; and an elegant ballroom.   North Maple Inn provides complete fitness and recreation facilities for hotel and conference guests.  The property, which was built in 1995 and comprehensively renovated in 2000, is one of the finest hotels in central New Jersey.

North Maple Inn is managed by Benchmark Hospitality, an international hospitality management company based in The Woodlands, Texas.