MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Nov. 28, 2011 -- Justin Rodgers, recently the Regional Bench Manager at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Schaumburg, Illinois has moved into the role of General Manager at the same property.  "Justin has been the Bench Manager for the past several months, and has done a great job at the hotel.  He will be a real asset in leading the team," said White Lodging Regional Vice President Mark Aftanski.

While in the Bench Manager role at the all-suite Residence Inn by Marriott, Rodgers helped with the property's renovation and worked to maximize its profitability.  The hotel is located northwest of Chicago in one of the fastest growing areas in the Chicago metro area.  "We are close to a number of huge corporate entities such as Motorola, Zurich and Ericsson, plus shopping and entertainment destinations IKEA, Woodfield Mall, LegoLand, Medieval Times and more are practically in our back yard," Rodgers shared.

A graduate of Texas Christian University, Rodgers also served in the United States Marine Corps between 2005 and 2009. During this period, he completed two combat tours in Iraq as a machine gunner in the 0331 Infantry. 

Rodgers' career in the hospitality industry began in 2001 when he joined Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company.  He first worked as a Front Desk Associate at the Residence Inn by Marriott Alliance Airport in Forth Worth and next at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Worth North as the Front Desk Supervisor.

After his discharge from the military, Rodgers returned to Concord Hospitality and was appointed Assistant General Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Arlington.  In this position, he was part of the team who received the 2009 Opening Hotel of the Year Award from Concord.

Rodgers' next move was to the Hyatt Summerfield Suites Boulder/Broomfield where he was the Assistant General Manager.  Under his watch, this property was ranked in the top three of all Hyatt Summerfield Suites in the guest satisfaction scores.

In 2010, Rodgers was appointed Task Force General Manager at the Courtyard Tulsa Central and was soon moved into the General Manager role at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Little Rock. He joined White Lodging in July 2011.

"I am enjoying working with White Lodging," said Rodgers. "It is an award-winning company and offers me a number of career opportunities."

White Lodging Services Corporation was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana. White Lodging is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development, and operations company – a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid- to large-scale hotels across the country. Their current portfolio consists of over 157 hotels in 19 states and encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Preferred Hotels, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group, and Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

For more information about White Lodging, please visit www.whitelodging.com or call 219-472-2900.