Dec. 08, 2012--The El Paso Hotel/Motel Association announced new award winners and officers during its annual banquet Thursday.

Gabriel Ayub, general manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso-Airport, is the 2012 Hotel General Manager of the Year. Don Baumgardt of Pinata Publishing was named 2012 Associate Member of the Year.

Fort Bliss was awarded the prestigious Bill Newkirk Award, given to an individual, company or group who has made an outstanding impact on tourism in El Paso. Lt. Col. Larry "Dean" Sanders accepted the award for Fort Bliss.

The association's officers for 2013 are Danny Padilla of Hyatt Place El Paso Airport, president; Rick LaFleur of Wyndham El Paso Airport, vice president; Gabriel Ayub of Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso-Airport, treasurer; and Kaywyn Byram of Si! El Paso Tours, secretary-historian.

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