NEW
ORLEANS, LA (May 31, 2013) — Lee Ann Benge has been named vice
president of human
resources for HRI Lodging, announced Gary Gutierrez, president of the
company.
Benge’s most recent position was vice president of human resources at
Noble-Interstate Management Group, a private nationwide investment and
hotel
management firm in Atlanta.
Her previous experience includes serving as vice president of human
resources
for Highgate Holdings, a leading independent hospitality management
company
that presently owns and operates a portfolio of more than 22,000 rooms.
From 1995 to 2003, she served as vice president of human resources at
Park
Place Motor Cars, a luxury automotive conglomerate in Dallas. She
played a key
role in launching a human resources growth strategy that resulted in
the
acquisition and integration of six additional luxury dealerships,
growing the
company from 180 employees to 1,100 employees in less than five years.
She
served as a strategic committee member in the application process for
the
Malcolm Baldridge Award, which the firm’s Lexus store subsequently won
in 2005.
She has also worked as SVP of human resources at Dallas Market Center
and at
Senterra Development in Dallas.
“Lee Ann’s vast experience working in human resources will be of
extraordinary
value to HRI Lodging as the company continues to grow,” said Gutierrez.
“Her
accomplishments for many years highlight a track record of success at
building
and directing human resources teams,” he added.
About HRI Lodging
HRI Lodging, Inc. (HRIL) is one of the 50
largest hotel management companies in
the U.S. with a current portfolio of 18 hotels and resorts spanning the
continental U.S. By building alliances with major domestic and
international
investment firms, the organization pursues a dual mode growth strategy
of
managing independent, boutique properties as well as partnering with
industry
leading brands, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood and
Intercontinental Hotel Group. HRI Lodging is the hotel management
division of
New Orleans-based HRI Properties, a full-service real estate
development
company and a national leader in the adaptive reuse of historic
structures.
HRI’s mission is: Revitalizing Cities by Creating Diverse,
Vibrant and
Sustainable Communities.