Oregon Hospitality Leaders Honored With Statewide Awards
Wilsonville, Oregon (PRWEB) August 25, 2014 -- Four members of Oregon’s foodservice and lodging industry have been selected as state winners of the 2014 Hospitality Industry Awards as announced by Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA). Stephanie Pearl Kimmel (Marché Restaurant Group, Eugene) was named Restaurateur of the Year; Craig Thompson (Hotel Monaco, Portland) was named Lodging Operator of the Year; Portland Roasting Coffee was named Associate Member of the Year, and Michael Mills (D. Michael Mills, Lawyer PC) will receive the Industry Achievement Award.
“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.” Award recipients will be recognized among their peers during the Hospitality Industry Awards Dinner, September 21, 2014, at ORLA’s Convention in Bend, Oregon.
Stephanie Pearl Kimmel has pioneered local, sustainable, seasonal food in Oregon for over 30 years. Along the way she’s mentored hundreds of chefs and restaurateurs, championed local farmers and wineries, and built a successful family of businesses. Kimmel was the first to feature Oregon wines in a restaurant, was a finalist for a James Beard Award in 2006, and was honored for lifetime achievement by Women Chefs & Restaurateurs. Her tireless efforts have helped build a foundation for the industry to celebrate the Pacific Northwest’s bounty of local food and wine.
Craig Thompson has managed Portland’s Hotel Monaco since it opened in 1996, and previously, the Vintage Plaza. A 44-year industry veteran, Thompson creates a work environment that encourages employee growth through training, coaching, and “a great deal of respect” which has proven to be a successful strategy. Under his management, Hotel Monaco has been recognized as a top hotel by Travel & Leisure and TripAdvisor. It is his exceptional leadership and contributions to the industry that earned him this statewide recognition.
Portland Roasting Coffee contributes to the local community as well as supports global sustainable efforts, partnering with organizations on environmental and social projects like planting 10,000 shade growing trees to further reduce their carbon footprint. Named 2012 Roaster of the Year by Roast magazine, Portland Roasting Coffee continues to pave the way with innovative, sustainable strategies that put customers, farmers, products and employees first.
Michael Mills has spent his entire career representing the hospitality industry. In his 42 years working with the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, Mills has provided excellent advice and strong counsel on a myriad of crucial industry issues the association has advocated on in Salem. One of his most valuable attributes is the unique ability to take a complicated issue and break it down to the points that matter most, an effective strategy in testimony before policy makers.
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 foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon, which is comprised of over 10,500 foodservice locations and 2,200 lodging establishments with a workforce of 158,600, 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 foodservice and lodging industry.
Lori Little, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, http://www.OregonRLA.org/awards, 503-682-4422, [email protected]
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