HMSHost Names Industry Veteran Benton Its VP-Business Development

Travel venue dining operator HMSHost has appointed Derryl Benton its new vice president of business development, responsible for developing and overseeing key client relationships.

“We are very pleased Derryl is joining the HMSHost Business Development team,” says EVP/Chief Development Officer Steve Johnson. "Derryl has been an industry icon for over 20 years and his leadership qualities and strong relationships within the concession industry will be a great asset to our organization."

Benton joins HMSHost after holding leading development roles at Hudson Group, where he was responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities in North America, and working with the company’s Government Affairs department in maintaining relationships with the nation’s city mayors, city councils, and other public officials.

Prior to Hudson, Benton was director of Concessions/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, where he oversaw the operations of a $500 million concessions program that included rental cars, food & beverage, news and specialty retail. In this role he also administered the Authority’s small business diversity in procurement policies. Before becoming director of concessions, he was director of Minority/Women Business Enterprise (MWVE) Programs for the Authority, during which he received the FAA’s DBE Liaison Officer Certification.

Before joining the airport industry, Benton was vice president of SunTrust Bank, where he gained extensive experience in residential and commercial lending.

HMSHost operates in more than 100 airports around the globe, including the 20 busiest airports in North America. Annual sales are in excess of $2.7 billion.