The Food & Beverage Association of America, Inc. Names Executives of the Year 2014 in NY Metro Area
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 07, 2014 -- The Food and Beverage Association of America, a New York-based philanthropic, educational, and trade organization, selects its Honorees for 2014.
The Food and Beverage Association of America is a nonprofit organization whose membership encompasses executives in the Food and Beverage and allied industries of the greater New York Metropolitan area. Established in 1956, the Association is dedicated to promoting and advancing friendly relations between members, encouraging continuing education, assisting in career growth, granting industry-related scholarships, and providing philanthropic support for critical social issues.
The 7th Annual Awards Gala Dinner Dance, honoring distinguished Food and Beverage Executives in the NY Metropolitan area, will be held at the Crown Plaza Times Square, Friday May 9, 2014. This year’s Honorees are Hospitality Professional of the Year: Geoffrey Allan Mills; Industry Professional of the Year: Frank H. Benzakour, CCM; and Purveyor of the Year: Rahul Suri.
Geoffrey Allan Mills is Managing Director for Highgate Hotels at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel in New York City. He is a graduate of Ashland University with a B.S. in Business Administration, double majoring in both Hotel & Restaurant Management and Marketing Management, with a minor in Nutrition and Food Management. His long and illustrious career, spanning over 35 years, shows a commitment to the hospitality industry and includes many positions in catering, retail food, fine dining, and hotel restaurants. The many companies he has worked for over those years include ITT, Sheraton Hotels, Omni Hotels, W.R. Grace, the Algonquin Hotel, Melrose Hotels and several properties for Highgate Hotels.
Mr. Mills’ professional affiliations include Chairman of the Board, Hotel Association of New York City; Chairman of the Venture Board in 2014 for the IHMRS; Chairman of the Board, Food & Beverage Association of America; Board Trustee for NYHTC & HANYC on the Hotel Benefits Funds; Member of the Times Square Alliance Board; Partner Council Business Advisor Member for FEGS Health & Human Services, Workforce Development Service; and Trustee, the Greater New York Council - Eagle Scout Hall of Fame Committee.
Frank H. Benzakour, CCM, General Manager at The Village Club of Sands Point, is a graduate of the Academy of Bordeaux, France with a degree in Hospitality Management, and attended the Business School of Baruch College in NYC. He is a certified Sommelier, a certified Labor Contract Administrator by Cornell School of Labor Management, and a Certified Club Manager with the Club Managers Association of America.
Mr. Benzakour’s outstanding career and professional affiliations include Director of Food & Beverage, the Princeton Club; Director of Food & Beverage the Union Club; Director of Food & Beverage, the Colony Club; Club House Manager, the Bonnie Briar Country Club; General Manager, Middle Bay Country Club and General Manager, Rockrimmon Country Club. He was named as the "Rising Star" Club Manager by McMahon Group and Club & Resort Business, “Most Admired Operator’, ”Golf Inc. Magazine; Committee Member, Metropolitan Chapter of the CMAA, and the Association for the Advancement of the Blind and Retarded (AABR) and Island Harvest.
Rahul Suri, Channel Manager for the Hotel Division at Southern Wine and Spirits of NY, is a graduate of New York City College of Technology with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management and successfully completed a Management Internship program at the Sheraton Park Avenue Hotel.
Mr. Suri’s distinguished career and professional affiliations include Crewmember, KFC chain; Supervisor, Assistant Manager, and Lead Training Manager for all Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchises; Restaurant Manager, and Assistant Hotel Manager Sheraton Park Avenue Hotel; General Manager, Palm Court of the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts; Director of Food & Beverage, the Algonquin Hotel and Channel Manager – Hotel Division, Southern Wine and Spirits of NY.
For Gala information, contact Gala Chairperson Jill Ostaszewski at gala(at)fbassoc(dot)com.
Steven Wilson, +1 (516) 965-8870, [email protected]
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