Benchmark Appoints Michael J. Taylor GM of The Heldrich

New $110 million Mixed Use Property in New Brunswick, New Jersey

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. October 14, 2008

HOUSTON, TX, March 20, 2006. Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Michael J. Taylor, CHA, CMP, as general manager for The Heldrich, a new $110 million mixed use property being constructed in downtown New Brunswick, New Jersey. Ellen Sinclair, vice president, made the announcement.

Benchmark will manage the property, which will include a 248-guestroom hotel, Christophers Restaurant & Bar, a state-of-the-art conference center, ballroom and spa. The Heldrich is scheduled to open in March of 2007.

"It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Mike Taylor to the position of general manager for Benchmark at The Heldrich," stated Ms. Sinclair. "Mike is an exemplary professional who in his current position led the comprehensive repositioning of North Maple Inn in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, transforming it into a showcase for all aspects of hospitality and financial excellence."

A 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Mike Taylor has been general manager of North Maple Inn since 2000. In this role he oversaw the property-wide operations and the financial performance of the award-winning, 171-guestroom property, and was instrumental in evolving its positioning from a corporate conference center into a Four Diamond hotel. During Taylor's tenure, the property won numerous service and industry awards year after year and for two consecutive years, North Maple Inn was named "One of the 50 Best Places to Work in New Jersey" by NJ BIZ, the statewide newspaper.

Taylor also served as director of conference services for North Maple Inn, responsible for conference planning, floor operations, concierge services, audiovisual and information systems. Additionally, he served as corporate conference services staff support for Benchmark Hospitality International. In this capacity, he oversaw the conference service operations of 14 North American Benchmark properties.

Prior to joining the Benchmark organization in 1996, Michael Taylor was director of convention services at the New York landmark hotel, The Waldorf=Astoria. During his six-year tenure at this property, a portion of his responsibilities included the coordination of visiting US and foreign dignitaries such as Presidents Clinton and Bush, Pope John Paul II, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel and the Emperor of Japan.

Previous to this, Mr. Taylor was employed by Marriott Hotels where he participated in the pre-opening and transition teams for properties in Anaheim, San Diego, and Palm Desert, California.

Michael Taylor has lectured at the New York University (NYU) Center for Hospitality Tourism and Travel. He also served as NYU course instructor of Financial Management for Hospitality and Travel. Taylor graduated from Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Science degree. He earned a Master of Science degree in Hospitality Industry Studies from NYU. He resides with his family in Metuchen, New Jersey.

The Heldrich is located in the heart of New Jersey in New Brunswick. The property is situated at 10 Livingston Avenue, just west of the important US Route 1 business corridor stretching from Princeton to New Brunswick and near the Northeast Corridor train service (Boston-New York-Washington, DC) and Exit 9 of the NJ Turnpike. It is 30 minutes outside New York City and has rail service to Newark Liberty International Airport.