Burt Cabañas, chairman and CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International, has announced the newest recipient of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence: Vern Bienfang. Mr. Bienfang, who works in food and beverage for The Northland Inn, located near Minneapolis, was originally nominated for his exemplary guest service, his contagious positive attitude, and for going far beyond the call of duty with his extraordinary humanitarian work.
“Vern was chosen from a field of exceptional nominees,” said Mr. Cabañas. "He is one of the most dedicated employees within the Benchmark organization and there are few more benevolent. When a member of his community is in need, Vern responds in a grand way. He personifies Benchmark’s Core Values every day."
Vern Bienfang was selected out of a field of nominees from more than 5000 employees within the Benchmark organization worldwide. Employed as a server in America’s Harvest restaurant at The Northland Inn and in the property’s banquet department, Mr. Bienfang is always ready to serve. He is renowned at the property for doing what is needed every day to ensure guests of The Northland Inn receive exemplary service, doing so with an appealing smile on his face. If there is a guest need, he fills it.
Outside work, Vern Bienfang has actively embraced his community by engaging in humanitarian work within Minneapolis, working closely with the disabled and providing help and support to persons experiencing difficulty finding employment.
Remarkably, when a co-worker was injured and needed assistance, Mr. Bienfang moved this person into his home to provide care and helped navigate through challenging insurance issues.
Burt Cabañas concluded with, “Vern does nothing with the thought of reward, recognition, or of being repaid. He does it out of kindness and generosity of character.” Mr. Cabañas continued with, “A genuinely good man, Vern beautifully exemplifies our Core Values of Integrity, the Intrinsic Value of the Individual, Entrepreneurship, Partnership, Realism and Service. I am so pleased to present him as the newest recipient of the Benchmark Chairman’s Award of Excellence.”
