Oregon Hospitality Leaders Honored with Statewide Awards

Wilsonville, Oregon (PRWEB) September 08, 2013

Three members of Oregon’s foodservice and lodging industry have been selected as state winners of the 2013 Hospitality Industry Awards as announced by Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA). Bruce Carey (Bluehour, Saucebox, 23Hoyt, and Clarklewis) was named Restaurateur of the Year; Chris Erickson (The Heathman) was named Lodging Operator of the Year; and S.D. Deacon General Contractor was named Associate Member of the Year.

“Oregon’s hospitality industry is brimming with individuals who contribute significantly to the health of the trade,” says Steve McCoid, president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “These winners represent not only some of our industry’s most dedicated leaders and advocates, but also the exemplary service that sets the high standard for the entire industry to achieve.” The statewide awards will be presented at the Hospitality Industry Awards Dinner, October 13, 2013, during ORLA’s Convention in Bend, Oregon. Award recipients will be recognized for their outstanding achievements and commitment to the hospitality industry, demonstrating the important role restaurants and lodging properties play as a cornerstone of Oregon’s economy.

With a reputation of developing successful restaurant concepts, Oregon native Bruce Carey has truly helped change the restaurant landscape in Portland. Over the past twenty plus years, Carey and collaborators have opened several exceptional restaurants, including Bluehour, Saucebox, 23Hoyt, and Clarklewis (http://www.brucecareyrestaurants.com/). In every endeavor he continues to raise the bar, setting the highest standards in excellence for food and service while sparing no detail in the diner’s experience. Carey previously worked in San Francisco at both the James Beard Award-winning Zuni Café and Fog City Diner. Following in 1990, Carey opened Portland’s Zefiro with celebrated restaurateurs Monique Siu and Christopher Israel.

As General Manager of The Heathman, Chris Erickson focuses on providing the best service and experience to travelers staying in his hotel. During his 25 plus years in hospitality, Erickson has demonstrated that these commitments to service, along with astute leadership of a great team, prove successful in this industry. Under his management, The Heathman has won multiple awards including Travel & Leisure Top US Hotel (#46), Conde Nast Gold List, 28 years of the AAA Four Diamond Award, and top Historic Hotel in America for 2012. Erickson currently serves as chair of the Oregon Tourism Commission, providing leadership in the promotion and growth of Oregon tourism both as an economic and cultural force. He’s also Chair of the Travel Portland Executive Board and serves on the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC).

Founded in 1981, S.D. Deacon currently ranks as the largest retail contractor on the West Coast, boasting a broad portfolio of industries including hospitality and restaurants. Local projects have included the transformation of Hotel Modera and a complete interior renovation of the RiverPlace Hotel. The company is continually recognized for their employee-directed Charitable Foundation, donating almost $2.3 million to charity since 2006. S.D. Deacon aligns their company mission with a charitable focus, providing a creative and empowering environment for employees. The association recognizes S.D. Deacon for its many innovative contributions as well as exemplary service to the industry.

For more information on ORLA’s Convention, visit http://www.OregonRLA.org/Convention or call 800.462.0619. For press inquiries regarding the Hospitality Industry Awards, please contact Lori Little, communications manager, at 503.682.4422.

The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is the leading business association for the food service and lodging industry in Oregon, which is comprised of over 10,500 food service locations and 2,200 lodging establishments with a workforce of 155,000, and a total economic impact of $7.5 billion - making it the cornerstone of the economy, career opportunities and community involvement. The association works to advocate, protect, train and promote the food service and lodging industry.

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