Ponniah is a certified hotel administrator (CHA) with more than 20 years of relevant experience. In his new position, he will report to Cindy L. Bower, CHA, vice president of DNPS, who has overall responsibility for the company's western operations, including Yosemite, Sequoia and Grand Canyon national parks, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, The Grand Hotel at Grand Canyon, Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, Calif., and the company's reservations call center in Fresno, Calif.

"Donald is a competent and qualified manager who has proven his ability to work towards our mission of providing an outstanding experience for all of our guests," said Bower, adding that the acquisition of Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa marks the company's entree into a market outside of U.S.  boundaries.
    
Ponniah joined the company in 2000, holding senior management positions at key DNPS properties, including Yosemite Lodge and Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, a DNPS-owned four-diamond mountain resort set on 35 acres bordering the Sierra National Forest and adjacent to Yosemite National Park.
    
Well known in the global hospitality industry, Ponniah has held management posts at Radisson, Doubletree, Ramada and Marriott hotel companies, and at the Princess Hotel in Bermuda and Hotel Lanka Oberoi in Sri Lanka. He also was a food and beverage manager for Sky Chefs.
    
Ponniah earned his bachelor's degree in hotel management and business administration from the University of New Haven.  As well, he has advanced culinary training in French cuisine, and food and wine, and is a member of numerous industry associations and community organizations.

Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa traces its roots to the California Gold Rush of 1848 and the eventual northward migration of prospectors who inadvertently discovered what has become the resort's hallmark: natural hot mineral springs. In 1886, the St. Alice Hotel and Bath House began luring families up the Harrison River with promises of the springs' therapeutic powers.  Fire destroyed the operation in 1920, but the property was rebuilt, and in 1926, opened under a new name:  Harrison Hot Springs Resort.

Approximately 400 associates staff the 140-acre property that features 323 guest rooms and cottages, and 24,000 square feet of meeting space, including an exhibit hall.  As well, there are a variety of dining experiences, ranging from Miss Margaret's, a coffee and pastry bar accustomed to preparing picnics and boxed lunches for guests, to the Copper Room, a 1940s-style dinner club that boasts a dance floor, the sounds of big band music and Fraser Valley cuisine.  Recreational activities include hiking, biking, golf, tennis, boating, fishing and other water sports. However, the distinguishing feature of the resort is its natural hot mineral springs, which supply five swimming pools and the new Healing Springs Spa, a full-service spa.
    
Delaware North Parks Services, a subsidiary of Buffalo, N.Y.-based Delaware North Companies, Inc., is a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations.