DURHAM, N.C. (February 25, 2025) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the unifying voice of North Carolina’s restaurant, foodservice and lodging industry, proudly hosted its annual Stars of the Industry Awards last night. Held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, the event celebrated 17 outstanding individuals and organizations across 10 categories for their exemplary contributions to the hospitality sector.
“We are thrilled to honor the incredible talent, resilience and innovation of North Carolina’s hospitality professionals,” said Lynn Minges, president and CEO of NCRLA. “This amazing group of individuals and organizations consistently go above and beyond to drive our industry forward, even in the face of challenges.”
Among the honorees were Sen. Michael Lazzara and Rep. Mitchell Setzer, who were named Hospitality Champions for their unwavering leadership and advocacy for the industry. Additionally, several awards highlighted individuals’ outstanding service to the community and NCRLA:
- Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community: Melissa Bruno Johnston of Tryon Distributing was recognized for her steadfast support of local communities, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Johnston and Tryon Distributing’s efforts included distributing essential supplies to storm victims and donating proceeds from the Charity Golf Classic to the North Carolina Hospitality Worker Relief Fund.
- Griff and June Glover Award for Service to NCRLA: Burney Jennings, executive chairman of Biscuitville, was honored for his pivotal role in advancing workforce recruitment initiatives, including NCRLA’s $5 million Serving Careers marketing campaign and the $1.1 million Worker Training Program.
- Hospitality Supplier of the Year: Alsco Uniforms’ General Manager Chris Strickland has been a longstanding partner of NCRLA, providing essential support through donated linens and services for signature events. After Hurricane Helene, Strickland and Alsco stepped up without hesitation, coordinating emergency laundry services for storm-impacted hotels to accommodate relief workers.
2025 Stars of the Industry Honorees:
Restaurateur of the Year
- Matt Kelly, MK Hospitality, Durham
Lodging Operators of the Year
- Daniel Lotz, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, Durham
- Pete Byers, Summit Hospitality Group
Restaurant Managers of the Year
- Bruce Conyers, Biscuitville, Greensboro
- Boone Hollar, Parks Hospitality Group, Asheville
- Ruben Gonzalez, Tar Heel Capital (Wendy’s), Shelby
Restaurant Employees of the Year
- Serena Ortiz, Grandover Resort, Greensboro
- Edgar Aguilar, Charlotte Marriott SouthPark, Charlotte
Lodging Managers of the Year
- Mijan Sarwar, Sheraton Four Seasons, Greensboro
- Bernadette Atwater, Courtyard by Marriott, Cary
Lodging Employees of the Year
- Mehdi Boujoud, The Umstead Hotel & Spa, Cary
- Ofeliya Gadzhiyeva, The Ballantyne Hotel, Charlotte
The evening’s success was made possible by the generous support of sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: US Foods
Gold Sponsor: Lucky Lincoln Gaming
Silver Sponsors: Ecolab, Employers and Sysco
Bronze Sponsor: ZOX Robotics
Born in the Carolinas Sponsor: Pepsi Bottling Ventures
Registration Sponsor: Insurance People
Supporting Sponsors: Butterball, DoorDash and Relay
Carving Station Sponsor: Angus Barn
Wine Sponsors: Shelton Vineyards, Tryon Distributing and E&J Gallo Winery
Cocktail Sponsors: Weldon Mills Distillery and Cook’s Mill Whiskey
Beer Sponsors: Gizmo Brewing, Clouds Brewing and Trophy Brewing
Dessert and Coffee: US Foods and the Sheraton Imperial Hotel
For more information about the 2025 NCRLA Stars of the Industry Awards, visit www.ncrla.org/stars.
About NCRLA
The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) represents and advocates for more than 20,000 businesses that employ 9% of the state’s workforce and generate over $35.8 billion in annual sales annually. Learn more at www.ncrla.org.
###
Media Contact:
Victoria Moore
Largemouth Communications (on behalf of NCRLA)
vmoore@largemouthpr.com
