Vern Bienfang is Recipient of Benchmark Chairman's Excellence Award
Server at the The Northland Inn in Minneapolis
HOUSTON, TX, June 24, 2009 - Burt Caba~nas, chairman and CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International, has announced the newest recipient of the Chairman's Award of Excellence: Vern Bienfang. Mr. Bienfang, who works in food and beverage for The Northland Inn, located near Minneapolis, was originally nominated for his exemplary guest service, his contagious positive attitude, and for going far beyond the call of duty with his extraordinary humanitarian work.
"Vern was chosen from a field of exceptional nominees," said Mr. Caba~nas. "He is one of the most dedicated employees within the Benchmark organization and there are few more benevolent. When a member of his community is in need, Vern responds in a grand way. He personifies Benchmark's Core Values every day."
Vern Bienfang was selected out of a field of nominees from more than 5000 employees within the Benchmark organization worldwide. Employed as a server in America's Harvest restaurant at The Northland Inn and in the property's banquet department, Mr. Bienfang is always ready to serve. He is renowned at the property for doing what is needed every day to ensure guests of The Northland Inn receive exemplary service, doing so with an appealing smile on his face. If there is a guest need, he fills it.
Outside work, Vern Bienfang has actively embraced his community by engaging in humanitarian work within Minneapolis, working closely with the disabled and providing help and support to persons experiencing difficulty finding employment.
Remarkably, when a co-worker was injured and needed assistance, Mr. Bienfang moved this person into his home to provide care and helped navigate through challenging insurance issues.
Burt Caba~nas concluded with, "Vern does nothing with the thought of reward, recognition, or of being repaid. He does it out of kindness and generosity of character." Mr. Caba~nas continued with, "A genuinely good man, Vern beautifully exemplifies our Core Values of Integrity, the Intrinsic Value of the Individual, Entrepreneurship, Partnership, Realism and Service. I am so pleased to present him as the newest recipient of the Benchmark Chairman's Award of Excellence."
About Benchmark Hospitality's Chairman's Award of Excellence
The Benchmark Hospitality International Chairman's Award of Excellence is presented annually by Burt Caba~nas, 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.
The Chairman's Award is designed to recognize and celebrate individuals who demonstrate excellence with significant impact and exemplify Benchmark's core values.




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