NCRLA

North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association

Press Release ·

Hospitality leaders to serve on foundation board focused on future of hospitality workforce

The North Carolina Hospitality Education Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, recently announced its 2018 officers to the Board of Trustees, as well as new and returning trustees who will serve the foundation.

“We are thrilled to have this group of dedicated and experienced industry leaders ban together to provide opportunities for the future of hospitality,” said Lynn Minges, president and CEO of NCRLA and NC HEF. “It is our mission to attract, develop and retain the workforce of tomorrow, and this passionate and diverse group is motivated to do just that.”

During its March 8 meeting, the NC HEF Board of Trustees was served lunch by the NC ProStart Invitational’s 5th place culinary team, Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School.

Scott Meltzer of EcoLab was named the 2018 NC HEF chair of the Board of Trustees during the foundation’s meeting March 8. Stephanie Shear of Pepsi Bottling Ventures (NC HEF vice chair); Mike Martino of the Sheraton Imperial Hotel (NC HEF treasurer); and Barry Shuster of North Carolina Central University (NC HEF secretary) round out the 2018 officers. Jim Beley of The Umstead Hotel and Spa moves to the position of immediate past chair.

NC HEF’s Board consists of up to 20 representatives of restaurants, lodging properties and allied partners. These volunteer leaders provide strategic guidance to the foundation in its effort to educate and prepare the future of the hospitality workforce through programming, scholarships and strategic initiatives, including the ProStart Program.

Kevin Drum of Drum & Quill Public House/Drum Media (Pinehurst), Erika Braun of Golden Corral (Raleigh), Chris Saleh of Neomonde Mediterranean/New World Concepts (Morrisville), Jerry Lanuzza of Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte) and Nidal Alawar of Summit Hospitality (Raleigh) were elected to the Board of Trustees during the meeting.

The following Board members will return to the Board of Trustees in 2018:
• Jeff Hadley, Wake Tech Community College
• Amber Moshakos, LM Restaurants
• Reno Palombit, Department of Public Instruction
• Chris Strickland, ALSCO
• Andy Clark, US Foods

For more information on NC HEF, visit https://www.ncrla.org/foundation/.