Rosen Hotels & Resorts’ Chief Financial Officer, Frank Santos, Awarded Prestigious “Golden Leash” from Canine Companions for Independence

For more information, contact: Mary Deatrick DPR
(407) 332-5212 mary@deatrickpr.com
Photography available at http://www.rosenhotels.com/media

ORLANDO (Dec. 13, 2009) – For Rosen Hotels & Resorts’ Chief Financial Officer, Frank Santos, enhancing the lives of others has always been a lifelong goal, both professionally and personally. Santos was recently recognized for his dedication to service by one of the many charitable organizations for which he volunteers. The Southeast Region of Canine Companions for Independence—a non-profit organization which enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support—recently awarded Santos with its uncommon “Golden Leash” award for his 13 years of service to the organization.

According to Nancy Baumann, President of the Southeast Region, “The award is not presented on an annual basis, but is given to those individuals whose service to Canine Companions for Independence has made a significant impact on our mission.” At the organization’s annual Tales & Tails Gala, Baumann called Santos “an exceptionally dedicated volunteer, selflessly exemplifying what is at the heart and soul of our organization.”

In addition to his duties as CFO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts and other community volunteer work, over the years, Santos has held several leadership roles in Canine Companions for Independence. He served as Co-Chairman of the Tales & Tails Gala, and Chairman of the sponsorship committee, helping to build one of the most successful events among all chapters nationwide. Through his leadership, the gala has grown from 100 attendees and $30,000 in proceeds to more than 500 attendees and $300,000 in proceeds. Santos has also served as a member of the Southeast Region Board of Directors since 2003, and has served as Board Treasurer and member of the executive committee. According to Baumann, Santos “has been one of our strongest advocates by recruiting other important leaders to serve on the board and advisory council.”

For Santos, the true reward for his service is educating others about the organization and seeing them join the cause. “Canine Companions for Independence is an exciting way for our communities to give the priceless gift of independence to people with disabilities. I’m thankful for this award, but even more, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an incredible, life-changing organization and to use my skills and business knowledge to educate others about their valuable mission.”

Santos was recently honored for his professional accomplishments as well. In its November 20-27 issue, The Orlando Business Journal (OBJ) honored Santos with its first-ever “CFO Award” for the Large Private Company category. According to the OBJ, the award is given to chief financial officers in “recognition for their contribution and commitment to their professions and for outstanding performance in their roles as corporate financial stewards.” According to the OBJ, Santos was selected as a winner for his “demonstrated skills as an innovator and creative financier” during his 24-year tenure as CFO at Rosen Hotels & Resorts.

As part of his professional role, Santos serves as the Treasurer of the Harris Rosen Foundation, remains involved in the Tangelo Park Pilot Program, and serves on the company’s charitable giving committee that meets quarterly to discuss and review all charitable requests that come to the company. He has proactively sought additional philanthropic opportunities for the company, such as hosting the revived American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball at Rosen Shingle Creek, with Harris Rosen serving as honorary chairperson. In 2000, he received the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) Paragon Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to both the HFTP and the hospitality industry.

In his personal time, Santos is devoted to giving back to the community, holding treasurer and board positions for charitable organizations, not only Canine Companions for Independence, but also the American Cancer Society, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Coalition for the Homeless and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.

Canine Companions for Independence provides highly trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities.  Established in 1975, Canine Companions is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people and has regional training centers across the country.  The Southeast Regional Center serves Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.   There is no charge for the dog, its training and ongoing follow-up services.  For more information visit www.cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.

Over the past 35 years, Rosen Hotels & Resorts has grown from 256 to approximately 6,300 rooms, approximately six percent of the total guest rooms in Central Florida. Today, the Rosen family of hotels, which includes the AAA Four Diamond Rosen Shingle Creek, the award-winning Rosen Centre and Rosen Plaza, and four leisure properties ideally located in the Orlando tourist corridor, including the Quality Inn International, Quality Inn Plaza and Rodeway Inn International and Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista, remain committed to providing outstanding value for all guests.

For more information, visit www.rosenhotels.com or call 866-33-ROSEN.