Benchmark Hospitality International has announced that Mike Willingham, IT Manager for The Chattanoogan,The Chattanooga located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the recipient of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence. The Award, which was created by Burt Cabanas, Chairman & CEO of Benchmark Hospitality, annually recognizes extraordinary employee performance. Ellen Sinclair, Senior Vice President for Benchmark, presented the Award to Mr. Willingham on behalf of Mr. Cabanas.

“Mike is one of those rare individuals who lives to serve others and makes life better for us all,” said Ms. Sinclair. “Eager to help and always with a positive attitude, he is the personification of Benchmark’s Core Values of integrity, individualism, entrepreneurship, partnership, realism and service. He is a most worthy recipient of this award and I am happy to present it to him!”

Praise for Mike Willingham that supported his nomination came from his church, his children’s school where he serves as assistant coach, community leaders, his family, and even the United States Government. Mr. Willingham’s nomination included letters he had received from the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command/U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command, as well as the White House Communications Agency supporting the Vice President of the United States, recognizing the extraordinary support that Willingham provided their conferences and events held at The Chattanoogan.

Mr. Willingham is the past recipient of Leader of the Quarter and Leader of the Year for Benchmark Hospitality at The Chattanoogan.  As active in his community as he is at the hotel, Willingham serves as a volunteer fireman, on the Advisory Council for his children’s school where he also coaches a Little League team, as youth mentor at his church, and leading a team affiliated with the local chapter of ALS, helping raise funds to fight the disease, which has touched his family.

Mike Willingham was nominated out of a field of more than 6,000 Benchmark Hospitality employees globally. It is with great pleasure and congratulations that Benchmark Hospitality International Chairman & CEO Burt Cabanas and Senior Vice President Ellen Sinclair announce Mike Willingham as a most deserving Chairman’s Award of Excellence recipient.