News & Information
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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Andy Deloney |
May 21, 2007
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517/377-3931 |
Michael C. Gibbons
elected Treasurer of the
National Restaurant Association
Ann Arbor restaurateur elected to help lead the industry
LANSING – A Michigan restaurant operator will soon be taking a place among the leadership team of
the nation’s largest organization for food and beverage business owners.
Michael C. Gibbons, president of
Ann Arbor-based Mainstreet Ventures, Inc., was elected by his peers to serve as
Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the National Restaurant Association,
based in Washington, DC.
He took the office effective May 20.
Gibbons owns and operates 15 fine dining establishments in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Florida. Two more establishments are being planned for
Maryland in
2008. His Michigan restaurants include Carson’s American Bistro, Gratzi, The Real Seafood Co., and
Palio, all in Ann Arbor, as well as The Chop
House in Ann Arbor and Grand
Rapids, and La Dolce Vita in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids.
“I am honored and humbled to have
been elected by some of the very best restaurateurs in the country to serve the
industry in this capacity,” said Gibbons.
“Our industry faces many challenges, especially here in Michigan, but I look
forward to putting forward my best effort to lead us to a brighter future.”
Gibbons is no stranger to
leadership in the restaurant industry.
He has served on the Board of Directors for the National Restaurant
Association since 2000 as well as the Michigan Restaurant Association
(MRA). In 1989 and 1990, he served as
President of the Board for the MRA.
As for how Mike plans to lead the
association, he cited his passion for his restaurants and the industry in
general. “Restaurants
are the cornerstone of the economy and our communities,” he said. “We operate the neighborhood meeting places,
we take the lead in community involvement, and we step up to provide emergency
assistance and meals when disaster strikes our neighbors and our nation. I am proud of who we are and where we’ve
been. I’m even more excited about where
we’re headed.”
According to the MRA, Michigan’s restaurant
industry is also sharing in the excitement.
“This is a proud day for Michigan’s
hospitality industry,” said Rob Gifford, president and chief executive officer
of the Michigan Restaurant Association.
“One of our own will be guiding the industry. Those of us who have worked with Mike know
that he will be a terrific leader in Washington,
DC.”
A 30-year veteran of the industry, Mike got his start
like many other industry leaders did – he jumped on the bottom rung of the
ladder and worked his way up. “So many
of us who now own and operate restaurants got in through the open door this
industry provides,” said Gibbons. “Not
only do we provide the first jobs for so many of our youth, but we train them
and prepare them for rewarding careers in hospitality and other industries as
well.”
Founded in 1921, the Michigan Restaurant Association represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The foodservice industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 436,000 people and creating more than $11.3 billion in total annual sales. For more information, call (517) 482-5244.
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