The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, December 2017 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named William Smith director of finance for The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando, a new Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located near Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Bill Lee, general manager, made the announcement.

"It is a pleasure to welcome William to our resort and to Benchmark,” said Mr. Lee. "His extensive experience in hospitality accounting and finance is particularly relevant to The Grove and its many facets. Blending his knowledge in those key areas with his specialization in aligning financial and operational goals makes him the ideal candidate to join our team.”

William Smith brings 31 years of experience in hotel finance to his new position at The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando, an expansive all-suite property that opened its first phase in March 2017 and is poised to launch additional guest suites and amenities, including an on-site water park, in early 2018. William most recently was director of finance for The Betsy Hotel South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida. He previously held the same position for Eden Roc Miami Beach, Wild Dunes Resort and Club of Isle of Palms in South Carolina, and earlier for Longboat Key Club and Resort in Florida. Prior to this he served as controller for hospitality management companies and individual hotels.

William Smith holds a Florida Community Association Manager license. He resides in the Orlando area.