
April 18, 2022
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club






Our 2022 Stars of the Industry awards ceremony took place on April 18th at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham, made possible in part by the help and support of our compassionate sponsors.
At a time when restaurants, hotels and bars are doing their best to respond to labor shortages, supply chain issues and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Stars of the Industry awards afforded North Carolina’s hospitality community a chance to reflect and honor the selfless contributions and stories of inspiration from within the industry. Award recipients were selected based on their exemplary service, leadership, innovation and dedication to the restaurant and lodging industries.
Four members of the North Carolina General Assembly, Sen. Paul Newton, Sen. Kirk deViere, Speaker of the House Tim Moore and Rep. Jason Saine, were recognized for their leadership and exceptional support of the hospitality industry and the policies included in NCRLA’s Blueprint for Revival of the Hospitality Industry. Their support resulted in the largest investment to date in the nation in the revitalization of the hospitality industry through the Business Recovery Grant Program.
“The challenges keep coming, but our leaders in the hospitality industry continue to find ways to rise above it with their service and commitment to keep our businesses up and running,” said NCRLA President and CEO Lynn Minges. “We are so proud to recognize the hardworking men and women on the front lines that keep a smile on their face despite all that they have overcome in the last few years.”
Among the honorees recognized were Vinay Patel, President of SREE Hotels in Charlotte, who took home the Griff & June Glover Award for Distinguished Service and Tim Goss, owner/franchisee of several Firehouse Subs in Charlotte, who was awarded the Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community. In addition to running their businesses, they spent much of the last year protecting and advancing issues related to the hospitality industry across the state.
The emcees for the night were Max Trujillo and Matt Weiss of the NC Food & Beverage Podcast.

Introducing the 2022 NCRLA Stars of the Industry Winners!
Restaurateur of the Year | Giorgios Bakatsias, Giorgios Hospitality Group |
Restaurant Managers of the Year | James Holcomb, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club Jim McGovern, Angus Barn |
Restaurant Employees of the Year | Sarah Cooper, Burke Manor Inn & Pavilion Seth Wilson, Heirloom Restaurant Glaziela Mendonca, Heron’s at The Umstead Hotel & Spa Bonnie Davis, Biscuitville |
Lodging Operator of the Year | Ian Sauer, Summit Hospitality |
Lodging Managers of the Year | Lee Stell, The Umstead Hotel & Spa Nicole Ebersole, Parks Hospitality Group |
Lodging Employees of the Year | Zhongwhen Sui, The Umstead Hotel & Spa Vera Cobbs, Charlotte Marriott Southpark Carl Stuck, DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Downtown |
Hospitality Supplier of the Year | Andy Clark, US Foods |
Hospitality Champions, House | Speaker of the House Tim Moore Rep. Jason Saine |
Hospitality Champions, Senate | Sen. Paul Newtown Sen. Kirk DeViere |
Griff & June Glover Award | Vinay Patel, SREE Hotels |
Ken Conrad Award | Tim Goss, Firehouse Subs |
Lifetime Achievement Award | RB Fitch, Fearrington House Inn & Restaurant |
Award category descriptions are as follows:
Click here for photos of the evening from 2022. Photo Credit: Nieto Photography
Thank you to our 2022 sponsors…
Premier:

Silver:

Registration:

Bronze:

Supporting Sponsors:
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