Benchmark Appoints Nikolaus Braun Director, IT
JANUARY 6, 2010 - Benchmark Hospitality International has named Nikolaus P. Braun director of information technology for the leading independent hospitality company. Mr. Braun will operate out of the company's Home Office in The Woodlands, near Houston. Rodney Thiel, vice president information technology, made the announcement.
'It is a pleasure to welcome Nikolaus to Benchmark Hospitality,' said Mr. Thiel. 'He brings significant hospitality experience to his new role, and we look forward to his active involvement and leadership within our global IT organization.'
Nikolaus Braun brings 20 years of experience in hospitality information technology to his new role. He was most recently regional director of technology for Dolce Hotels & Resorts, a position he held since 2004. Before this, he served as director of information technology for the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City. Mr. Braun was employed in the same position for Philips Hotel Group at The Shore Club in Miami, and was part of the opening team for the Bryant Park Hotel, New York. He also served in this role for the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group of New York.
Mr. Braun has previously worked for the two leading Hospitality IT software companies, Springer-Miller Systems and Micros Fidelio, serving as network engineer and senior installation specialist. Earlier in his career he worked as front office manager at The Sonnenalp Resort of Vail, Colorado. Prior to this he gained European experience working with Kempinski Hotels in Frankfurt, Germany.
Nikolaus Braun earned his degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. He is an active member of the Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals Association and a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator. He is fluent in the German language. Mr. Braun and his family are relocating to The Woodlands.
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