Michigan Restaurant Association Elects Five New Directors
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) announced the election of five new members to its Board of Directors: Randy Emert of Lake Orion, Deb Fratrik of Pontiac, Ken Miller of Kalamazoo, Mark Weiss of Troy, and Tom Ziolkowski of Lansing.
“These five outstanding professionals are each very highly respected in the hospitality industry,” said Rob Gifford, president and chief executive officer of the MRA. “We are excited to have them join our Board of Directors.”
Gifford stated that the MRA Board of Directors is committed to assisting, representing, promoting, and educating the foodservice industry.
Randy Emert is Executive Chef of Great Oaks Country Club in Rochester. He has worked professionally as a chef since 1990 when he started at the Pike Street Restaurant in Pontiac. In addition to cooking in the kitchen, he has been an adjunct chef instructor at Oakland Community College and Henry Ford Community College.
Deb Fratrik is region vice president for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. In this capacity, she oversees full profit and loss responsibility for a six state region with sales of over $250 million. She has a diverse food service career that goes back 20 years. She served as chief operating officer of bd’s Mongolian Grill immediately prior to joining Cracker Barrel.
Ken Miller is owner of the Millennium Restaurant Group, LLC and a partner of Mixed Grill Restaurant Group, Inc. which own and operate several restaurant properties in southwest Michigan, including The Black Swan, Epic Bistro, The Union, and Fieldstone Grill, all in the Kalamazoo/Portage area. He also currently serves as a trustee and chair of Western Michigan University.
Mark Weiss is regional director of operations and operating partner of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. Beginning his career as a busser before becoming a bartender at two popular eateries, he joined Cameron Mitchell Restaurants in 2007 as a server. He quickly worked his way up the management ladder. In two years, he was promoted to regional director of operations for five Michigan restaurants and two in Milwaukee.
Tom Ziolkowski is national accounts manager and regional manager for the mid-Michigan office of Stafford-Smith, Inc., a nationally-recognized leader in the food service equipment business. He has worked in the hospitality industry since 1982. He was president and part owner of Brothers Restaurant Supply Company prior to joining Stafford-Smith.
The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 423,600 people and creating more than $13.1 billion in annual sales. For more information please call 800-968-9668.
Copyright 2010 by Michigan Restaurant Association 800-968-9668 .
