Burt Caba?as, Chairman, CEO, Benchmark Hospitality; Richard Hillway, Recipient, 2006 Chairman's Award of Excellence; Laura Neumann, Vice President & General Manager, Cheyenne Mountain Resort.

Benchmark Hospitality International has announced that Richard Hillway of Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs is the newest recipient of its annual Chairman’s Award of Excellence. The award was inaugurated last year to recognize extraordinary employee contributions to their communities and the organization. Hillway, an affable, unassuming gentleman with a gracious spirit, was nominated because of his tireless work teaching children the art and joy of tennis. "I am absolutely delighted to present Richard Hillway of Cheyenne Mountain Resort with the 2006 Chairman’s Award of Excellence," said Burt Caba?as, chairman & chief executive officer of Benchmark Hospitality "This award highlights and honors outstanding employees whose contributions make their property, their community, and our company better places to work and live. As director of tennis for Cheyenne Mountain Resort and the teacher of scores of children and young people over the years, Richard has touched countless young lives and brought them the joy of achieving one’s best through tennis, adding to their personal discipline and character development."

The Benchmark Hospitality International Chairman's Award of Excellence is presented annually by Burt Caba?as, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of the company. Recipients are selected from employees nominated by general managers of Benchmark properties globally. To be nominated for the Chairman's Award of Excellence, employees must meet an established set of criteria, some of which include: providing a truly outstanding act of community service that is recognized by the community; initiating a service or idea that exemplifies the company's entrepreneurial spirit; delivering performance during extremely difficult circumstances that far exceeds job description and job expectations.