Benchmark Hospitality International, a U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed John Annicchiarico director of sales and marketing for the Villas of Grand Cypress.

Mark Cox, Benchmark’s general manager for the Villas, Benchmark’s Personal Luxury Resort® in Orlando, Florida, made the announcement.

“John makes an outstanding contribution to our team at Villas of Grand Cypress Resort,” said Mr. Cox. “His guest-first approach to sales and marketing is a great fit for the legendary culture and tradition of world-class service we have built over the past 30 years.

John’s background with both luxury hotel brands and leading edge entertainment companies will add great value to our guest experience.”

A veteran of the hospitality industry, John Annicchiarico was most recently the director of marketing for Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, California. Prior to this he served in multiple positions with luxury hotels in Florida and California. Earlier in his career he worked for Universal Orlando during a $2.8 billion expansion of the resort, serving in both guest services and sales and marketing roles.

Mr. Annicchiarico earned a degree in Economics from Loyola University, and is a member of many professional organizations, including MPI and ASAE. He is delighted to relocate his family to the Orlando area where he began his career.

Villas of Grand Cypress Resort, www.grandcypress.com