Benchmark named Todd Parmelee vice president of food & beverage. In his new role, Parmelee will oversee the operations of all food and beverage departments for each of Benchmark's 70 properties within the expanding Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Collection portfolios. He comes to Benchmark's senior team with an exceptional background in food and beverage operations, entertainment, organizational leadership, technology, marketing and teambuilding.
"Benchmark is expanding its portfolio and redefining food and beverage operations," said Benchmark CEO Alex Cabañas. “The company is formulating ambitious plans to bring its hotel food and beverage services to the level of successful independent restaurants, with dynamic new restaurant concepts, innovative menus, top quality, sophisticated design and a unique dining experience, while keeping abreast of trends that will impact each hotel's food and beverage product. Todd brings the operational expertise, extensive culinary knowledge and the leadership skills needed to develop our food and beverage teams.”
Parmelee will be based in Benchmark's home office in The Woodlands, Tex., near Houston. He comes to his new position from Entertainment Consultants International (ECI), a leading hospitality consultant to restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and live entertainment venues throughout the United States. He served as ECI's chief operations officer, regional director of operations and beverage director. Parmelee’s responsibilities in these positions spanned all aspects of hiring, training, marketing, concept development, community outreach, construction, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
Working in the highly competitive arena of sports events marketing, Parmelee directed food and beverage sales and operations at the Ballpark Village in St. Louis, a new complex of shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. He also served as chief operating officer of Atlanta's newest restaurant and entertainment venue, Live! at the Battery, located next to the Atlanta Braves new stadium, SunTrust Park.
Prior to this, Parmelee held various management positions in Las Vegas, as vice president operations for the Golden Tavern Group, beverage director at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and general manager of PT's Tavern Group. From 1998 to 2001, he managed Chef Todd English’s Olives Restaurant, located at The Bellagio Las Vegas.
Parmalee is a graduate of Finger Lakes College of Canandaigua, N.Y., where he studied Travel and Tourism Management.
