"We are delighted to honor Dave Lagarce with this prestigious award," says Pam Inman, chief executive officer of the Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association. "He is an extremely talented, experienced, and dedicated professional who has made significant contributions to Tennessee's lodging industry and the hotel association for many years."

Under Lagarce�s leadership, The Chattanoogan hotel opened in April 2001 ahead of schedule and under budget. During 2002 and 2003, the team at the property exceeded their financial objectives during the most challenging period that the hotel industry has experienced in decades.  

In his more than 30-year career in the hotel industry, Lagarce has worked in every aspect of hotel operations.  In addition to his extensive experience outside the region, he has held several key management positions at properties throughout the state of  
Tennessee, including general manager for the Rivermont Hotel in Memphis, director of operations for Holiday Inn Corporate Hotels Southeast Region, and opening general manager for the Embassy Suites Hotel in Memphis.

Lagarce has served as president of the Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association and president of Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association.  
        
The Chattanoogan, a $43 million upscale urban resort in the heart of Chattanooga�s Southside at the corner of 12th and Broad streets, is within walking distance of the city�s museums, galleries, retail stores, restaurants and The Tennessee Aquarium.  The hotel is conveniently located within a two and a half-hour drive from Atlanta; Nashville, Tenn.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Huntsville, Ala.; and Birmingham, Ala.  

Benchmark Hospitality, an international hospitality management company based in The Woodlands, Texas, operates luxury resorts, hotels, spas, golf clubs and conference centers throughout the United States, in Canada, and Japan.