Alex Cabañas, chief executive officer of Benchmark Hospitality International, has announced that Kirk Jones has been promoted to chief financial officer. The company’s Benchmark Resorts & Hotels-brand portfolio merged with Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, bringing the total number of properties managed to 58. Mr. Jones was previously senior vice president of finance for Benchmark Hospitality.
“On behalf of our newly joined management team, I congratulate Kirk on this well-deserved promotion to lead the finance and accounting functions of our growing company,” said Mr. Cabañas. “Kirk was instrumental in the merger of Gemstone and Benchmark, and will lead the integration of our finance teams with a keen focus on business intelligence and improving the financial skills of all managers and department heads.”
“The merger of Benchmark’s and Gemstone’s portfolios represents an enormous professional opportunity for our combined management team,” stated Mr. Jones. “My promotion is a harbinger of wonderful opportunities to come for many of our employees. At 8000 rooms and 10,000 employees, we are in an important space for internal professional development and advancement as we integrate the two leadership and employee teams together, and move toward future growth.”
Kirk Jones joined Benchmark Hospitality International in the spring of 2015. He brought with him an extensive professional background in international hospitality financial management. He has previously held positions such as executive vice president of finance for Capella Hotel Group, a company with a portfolio of independent and branded properties across the globe. He has also held property and regional financial leadership positions within several branded hotel companies, including Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites.
This past May, Kirk Jones was honored with the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award, presented by the Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Cleveland State University. Mr. Jones resides in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston.
