The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Rikki Boparai vice president operations. Greg Champion, Benchmark’s president and COO, made the announcement.

“It is a real pleasure to congratulate Rikki on his newest promotion within our company,” said Mr. Champion. “He has provided important leadership and operational acumen at properties coast to coast and has the unique ability to discover and help develop new hospitality talent for Benchmark in the future. Rikki is the personification of our company’s Be The Difference service culture.”

Rikki Boparai’s promotion builds on 17 years of exemplary service to the leading independent hospitality management company, having served in regional and on-property leadership positions for Benchmark. He most recently held the position of managing director for Benchmark’s Gemstone Collection, Florida, overseeing luxury resorts in Orlando, Vero Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, as well as on the Caribbean island of Curacao.

Mr. Boparai has previously served as general manager for Benchmark properties in Naples, Florida; North Miami, Florida; Long Island, New York and in Bedford, Pennsylvania. He started with the company as director of operations for Cheyenne Mountain Resort of Colorado Springs, which Benchmark operated at the time. Boparai has also held Lead Field Staff Support positions for the company's Rooms Division. Before joining Benchmark, he was director of operations for LaPlaya Beach Resort of Naples, Florida.

Rikki Boparai and his wife are relocating to The Woodlands, Texas.