BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Sheri McElravy director of human resources for the extraordinary Skamania Lodge, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Stevenson, Washington. Ken Daugherty, general manager, made the announcement.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has announced that Skamania Lodge, in Stevenson, Washington, has joined its expanding Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio.The 258-guest room Skamania Lodge is set on 175 densely forested acres overlooking the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, just 45 minutes from Portland, Oregon. The resort, owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, is renowned for its Cascadian style architecture, natural woods, state-of-the-art conference center built to IACC standards, authentic Northwestern cuisine, and awe-inspiring, 360-degree Gorge views.Besides its awe-inspiring beauty, the destination is also adventurous, combining both on-property and off property recreation. Guests can explore the area by hiking to the stunning Falls Creek Falls, a staff favorite, or visit a local microbrewery, a cidery and or a distillery to sample local craft beverages. They can focus on relaxation by lounging in an Adirondack chair on the resort's patio, taking in the view highlighted by Wind and Dog Mountain while enjoying a Columbia Valley local wine or one of the many Gorge microbrews. Wind Mountain, a volcanic cinder cone, hosts a fun but challenging trail to hike, while Dog Mountain is the unofficial favorite Gorge trail with its abundance of wildflowers and amazing views. Guests like to end the day at Skamania Lodge around one of the resort's several firepits and enjoy a glass of wine or S'mores while watching the sunset across the Gorge.With 175 forested acres, Skamania has outdoor adventures that showcase the area's natural wonders and encourage fitness. Guests can soar through the Douglas Firs as part of the Canopy Zip Line Tour. Challenging and thrilling, the exciting Aerial Park offers 19 platforms, over 22 elements and a climbing feature. For those guests who like to dial up the danger, axe throwing, the newest adventure, provides that pulse-raising, yet safe thrill. For fitness enthusiasts the recently refurbished Gorge Loop Fitness Trail, a moderate to difficult .9-mile loop with five stations featuring TimberForm fitness clusters and 17 activities, is perfect for the novice and expert alike. The resort includes an onsite immersion in nature with four miles of hiking and nature trails, bikes for guest use, as well as outdoor tennis, basketball and volleyball. Not to be forgotten are the miles of additional hiking trails nearby the resort, including the renowned Pacific Crest Trail, made internationally famous in the recent Reese Witherspoon film, Wild.
Skamania Lodge, A Destination Hotel, is pleased to announce Noni Hughes as its new assistant general manager. In her new position, Hughes will be responsible for overseeing guest services and satisfaction. Hughes looks forward to utilizing her previous experience at Skamania Lodge as director of rooms, where she oversaw daily operations and managed all aspects of profit and loss, along with her passion and natural talent for interacting with guests.
Hale comes to Skamania Lodge having previously worked at Resort at Squaw Creek, A Destination Hotel in Lake Tahoe as the fine dining sous chef. From there, he moved on to banquet chef at Sandy’s Pub, also located at Resort at Squaw Creek, where he was quickly promoted to the executive sous chef. While growing up in Sierra City, Calif., Hale learned to grow large vegetable gardens and small fruit orchards. This, paired with an inherited family interest in cooking, led to a passion for always sourcing locally that he has continued to carry with him throughout his culinary career. Hale followed the call of cooking to Lake Tahoe Community College, where he received an Advanced Degree in Culinary Arts.
Skamania Lodge, by Destination Hotels & Resorts, is proud to announce the appointment of a new executive chef, Mark G. Henry, who will lead the culinary direction of the two on-property restaurants and in-house banquet services. Chef Mark comes to the Cascadian-style lodge, located just 45 miles east of Portland, Ore. in the Columbia River Gorge, from the notable Eden Roc Miami Beach. With a focus on local sourcing and seasonal ingredients, Henry will be a natural fit with Skamania Lodge's existing food and beverage philosophy. Chef Mark got his start in the restaurant industry more than 30 years ago, washing dishes on the Jersey Shore, and soon followed that passion to train at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park. His education continued at iconic hotel restaurants across the country, including The Plaza in New York City, Marriott's Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Ariz. and the Marriott Downtown Waterfront in Portland, Ore., where he honed his appreciation for regional flavors and his energetic style. With respect for classic flavors and techniques, along with "eye candy" presentation, Henry's goal is to make The Cascade Dining Room and River Rock Lounge at Skamania Lodge leading culinary destinations for locals and visitors alike.
Skamania Lodge, by Destination Hotels & Resorts, located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, is pleased to announce two appointments to its sales team, Jenna Braden as the national sales manager, and Luke Andersen as sales manager. Joining Skamania Lodge after successful sales tenures at a number of U.S. properties, Braden is charged with creating custom sales campaigns that broaden the lodge’s client base and raise awareness for the property, particularly in the Seattle market. Andersen’s focus is on building sales for weddings, executive meetings and special events, adding to his previous experience managing the property’s front office. A Florida native, Braden enjoys her new home in the Pacific Northwest, and loves discovering new fitness and outdoor challenges. Andersen, who was born and raised in Washington, is also quick to take advantage of the recreational activities his home state offers, including hiking, fishing and snowboarding, and is a loyal fan of the Seattle Seahawks.
Longtime Northwest hospitality executive and consultant Ken Daugherty was hired as the new general manager of Skamania Lodge, an all-season resort and conference center nestled in the Columbia River Gorge. Daugherty is returning to Skamania Lodge after serving as its general manager from 1999 to 2005, and helping it achieve financial and legislative backing to get built in 1993 with developer John Gray.
Osborn comes to Skamania Lodge with 10 years of experience at Marriott International hotel properties in St. Louis, Kansas City, Mo., Fort Collins, Colo., and Portland, Ore., where he quickly rose through the ranks from assistant banquet manager to leading catering sales, exceeding revenue goals for four consecutive years as a senior catering sales executive. In his new role, Osborn will be responsible for generating corporate meetings and events to be held at Skamania Lodge. He will be working with many regional businesses, with special emphasis on the healthcare, pharmaceutical and manufacturing markets.
Earlier this month, Skamania Lodge added Susan Renner to its Group Sales Team as National Sales Manager. Renner brings nearly two decades of experience in hospitality sales to her new role with the Columbia River Gorge resort. She will be responsible for overseeing the national, regional and state association markets.
Gillespie brings more than 20 years of hotel and resort marketing and sales experience. Prior to joining the Lodge on March 28, 2012, he led the group sales efforts at several prestigious properties in West Virginia including Waterfront Place Hotel, The Greenbrier, Stonewall Resort and Glade Springs Resort. Additionally, he worked at Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort in Cumberland, Md., Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, Pa., and Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pa. While working at these hotels and resorts, Gillespie was able to exceed sales goals, increase revenues and successfully launch new services and amenities for the properties. He is a graduate of Fairmont State University in Fairmont, W.Va.
Skamania Lodge, located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, has hired Kara Owen in the newly created position of director of group sales. In this new role, Owen is responsible for leading the group sales effort and building awareness of the Lodge as a destination for conferences and group gatherings. The creation of this new position coincides with the design remodel of the Lodge, to be completed in late spring 2012, which will elevate the group meeting experience. Prior to joining Skamania Lodge, Owen served as director of sales for the RiverPlace Hotel in downtown Portland, Ore., and for the Portland Marriott City Center. As a seasoned veteran in the hospitality sector, she brings with her a deep knowledge of the marketplace and an understanding of the needs of event and meeting planners.