FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Minneapolis-based hotel management company elevates an experienced hospitality strategist and operator to a reshaped CFO role that blends commercial expertise and property-level insight.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, July 27, 2026 – Scalzo Hospitality, a third-generation, family-owned hotel management company based in Minneapolis, today announced that Chris Bennett has been named Chief Financial Officer. Outgoing CFO Patrick Durand, grandson of company founder Carmen Scalzo, has served in that role for more than two decades and will step back from day-to-day financial leadership to focus more fully on board-level oversight.
The decision to elevate Bennett follows months of planning and reflects the company’s current expansion into the third-party management business. His background ensures the company’s financial leadership is deeply rooted in operational reality—a critical asset for owners looking to maximize performance. Bennett steps into the role with support from Scalzo’s existing corporate accounting, treasury, and HR functions.
Durand will continue to serve on Scalzo Hospitality’s board, taking on a board-level finance and audit role and ensuring continuity and financial stewardship of the family business.
“This isn’t me handing off my job,” said Durand. “It’s really a new position, built for where Scalzo is headed. As we grow our third-party management business, we want our financial leadership to grow with it. Having worked with Chris closely for many years now, I have seen firsthand his ability to act on the data to make tangible improvements to operations that reflect back on our balance sheet.”
“I’ve always believed you lead by getting into the weeds—leading by example,” said Bennett. “I’ve always followed the numbers and taught my teams to do the same. That game plan doesn’t change as CFO. I just get to look at the entire field now. I couldn’t be more excited about this new role.”
Bennett joined Scalzo Hospitality in September 2017 as the opening General Manager of the Twin Cities 400 Tavern, where he helped build the restaurant’s concept, guest experience, and team from the ground up. He was also part of the team behind the successful launch of the Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast the following year. Bennett was named Director of Food and Beverage in 2024 and Director of Corporate Strategy in 2026, before being appointed Chief Financial Officer.
“Chris has earned this role the way everyone does at Scalzo—through consistency, accountability, and results,” said Paul Durand, Chairman and Visionary of Scalzo Hospitality. “He’s the right person for this seat as we look over the horizon and plan the future of my grandfather’s legacy.”
Bennett’s appointment continues Scalzo Hospitality’s transformation from owner-operator to third-party hotel management, following the leadership changes announced earlier this year.
For more information about Scalzo Hospitality, please visit scalzohospitality.com or contact Matt Baird, Director of Communications, at matt.baird@scalzohospitality.com.
About Scalzo Hospitality
Scalzo Hospitality is a third-generation, family-owned hotel management company based in Minneapolis, built on the entrepreneurial spirit of founder Carmen Scalzo, who launched the business in 1952. Guided by strong family values, a people-first culture, and a long-term ownership mindset, the company built and operated its own portfolio for decades. After 70+ years as an owner-operator, Scalzo now puts its proven, EOS-driven process to work for others as a third-party hotel manager. Scalzo Hospitality is proud to be operators who care, partners who deliver, and stewards of a generational story that’s still being written.