ORLANDO (Dec. 15, 2009) � Rosen Hotels & Resorts� Chief Financial Officer, Frank Santos, has been selected by the Orlando Business Journal (OBJ) as a recipient of its first-ever �CFO Award,� Large Private Company category. According to the OBJ, the award is given to chief financial officers in �recognition for their contribution and commitment to their professions and for outstanding performance in their roles as corporate financial stewards.� The Large Private Company category (companies with more than $100 million revenue) received the most nominations of any of the six CFO Award categories: small, medium and large private companies, and government, nonprofit and public companies.

According to the OBJ, Santos was selected as a winner for his �demonstrated skills as an innovator and creative financier� during his 24-year tenure as CFO at Rosen Hotels & Resorts. Among his achievements was a 33 percent increase in revenues since 2007, which he accomplished in part by establishing a monthly meeting to review upcoming monthly goals � in addition to the past month�s results � in order to brainstorm innovative solutions to achieving those goals, despite the sluggish economy. He also formed a cost control department with a committee that inspects each of the seven Rosen hotels on a monthly basis for leaky faucets or other inefficiencies in equipment that may cause financial waste. He was also responsible for helping to create a centralized reservation system for all seven hotels to save money and labor, as well as to complement the company�s synergistic sales efforts among properties. 

�Frank attacked this past year with his typical attitude � that nothing will stop the company from reaching projections and thriving,� said Harris Rosen, President and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts. �His attention to not only the numbers, but also to the quality of work conditions and appreciation of the associates, has made him an inspiration to others to go the extra mile.�

One of Santos� most defining career achievements came in 1991when he helped to create the award-winning, in-house Rosen healthcare system and the Dr. Bob & Diane MacMurray Medical Center, which services more than 4,500 Rosen associates and their dependent families, and saves the company approximately $10 million annually. He also played a key role in the creation of ProvInsure, Rosen�s insurance and risk management company.

Santos also serves as the Treasurer of the Harris Rosen Foundation, remains involved in the Tangelo Park Pilot Program and serves on the company�s charitable giving committee that meets quarterly to discuss and review all charitable requests that come to the company. With the retirement of the company�s vice president, Garritt Toohey, earlier this year, Santos also has taken on additional responsibilities outside the realm of CFO. He has proactively sought additional philanthropic opportunities for the company, such as hosting the revived American Cancer Society Cattle Baron�s Ball at Rosen Shingle Creek, with Harris Rosen serving as honorary chairperson. As healthcare has become a more prevalent topic, Santos has taken a larger role in being part of the steering committee for the company�s innovative healthcare plan.

In his personal time, Santos is devoted to giving back to the community, holding treasurer and board positions for charitable organizations including �Canine Companions for Independence,� the American Cancer Society, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Coalition for the Homeless and St. Luke�s United Methodist Church.

This is not the first award that Santos has received for his contributions to the financial and hospitality  industries. In 2000, he received the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) Paragon Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to both the HFTP and the hospitality industry.

Over the past 35 years, Rosen Hotels & Resorts has grown from 256 to approximately 6,300 rooms, approximately six percent of the total guest rooms in Central Florida. Today, the Rosen family of hotels, which includes the AAA Four Diamond Rosen Shingle Creek, the award-winning Rosen Centre and Rosen Plaza, and four leisure properties ideally located in the Orlando tourist corridor, including the Quality Inn International, Quality Inn Plaza and Rodeway Inn International and Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista, remain committed to providing outstanding value for all guests.

For more information, visit www.rosenhotels.com or call 866-33-ROSEN.