The newly merged Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Hotels & Resorts appointed Michele Farkas regional director of human resources. Farkas will be based at The Grove Resort & Spa, an 878-room all-suite property opening Jan. 9, 2017, near Walt Disney World in Orlando. Farkas will have additional oversight of Benchmark/Gemstone properties in the Midwest and along the East Coast. Bill Lee, The Grove’s GM, made the announcement.
“I am thrilled to welcome Michele to The Grove Resort & Spa,” Lee said. “In an important way she brings the company’s acclaimed ‘Be The Difference’ guest service culture to our resort family during the critically-important pre-opening phase. We look forward to her active role within our senior leadership team and across other areas of the region.”
Michele Farkas is a long-time Benchmark human resources executive, having served for two decades as director of human resources at the company’s Chicago flagship property, Eaglewood Resort & Spa. Over the years, Farkas has also held lead field staff responsibilities for Benchmark, managing hotel openings, transitions and new additions. Her tenure continues in this newly expanded regional role, lending her expertise to properties in the growing Benchmark/Gemstone portfolio, including Doral Arrowwood of Rye Brook, New York, Hotel Roanoke of Roanoke, Virginia, The Chattanoogan in Chattanooga, Tennessee and the group’s hotels and resorts across Florida, among others.
Prior to joining Benchmark, Farkas served as regional human resources manager for the Teknon Corporation of Farmers Branch, Texas. She attended Indiana University with a focus on business management and is a certified HR executive and certified hospitality trainer from the American Hotel and Lodging Association.