Over 300 guests gathered at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham on January 30th for our annual President's Dinner. We had a lot to celebrate.

Bill Roberts, owner of Roberts Restaurant Group, and 2000 President of the MRA, shared highlights and industry facts that included: our workers comp. program now has over 600 members; during 2000 we introduced legislation that exempted our industry members from paying sales and use tax on employee meals; no bills were passed which would be detrimental to our industry; our school-to-career program is now in 20 school districts across the State; a new state-wide Food Code was enacted; our trade show attendance increased by 10% and our membership continues to grow with 3,500 restaurants (the most in our history).

MRA's newly elected President Jerry Fournier, HDS Services, received the gavel as our first president representing the non-commercial segment of the industry. Jerry shared his enthusiasm and commitment to exceed expectations for 2001.

Chris Kibit, Hospitality Program Coordinator and Team Leader at Lansing Community College, and Lori LeRay, Manager of Food Service Operations for West Shore Community College, were named as our 2001 Teachers of the Year. Chris was nominated for the incredible job he has done in building bridges between the educational community and industry. Lori was praised for her dynamic leadership as the pioneer of high school Tech Prep programs in Northern Michigan.

Jon Gould, of Palio's Restaurant in Ann Arbor, was recognized as the 2001 Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipient. Jon has made a lifelong commitment to the restaurant industry. A past president of the Michigan Restaurant Association, Jon was recognized for the more than 20 years he has devoted to the advancement of the industry. Jon has been one of our most active members in raising funds for the Michigan Restaurant Association Political Action Committee, he has been a mainstay of our annual Taste of Michigan legislative reception, and has enthusiastically participated in countless committees, task forces and working groups of the MRA.

This evening we also had an opportunity to recognize long-standing members of the association. 25 Year Member Recognition honors went to:
American Express Company
Darden Restaurants
HDS Services
River City Food Company

Many thanks to our industry sponsors for making this event possible.

2001 INDUSTRY SPONSORS

PATRON
American Express
Gordon Food Service
Philip Morris Companies
(Kraft Foods Inc., Miller Brewing Co., Philip Morris Inc.)
Regency Group
The SYSCO Companies of Michigan

DIAMOND
Coca Cola Fountain
DTE Energy
MichCon

GOLD
Anheuser-Busch
Cadillac Coffee Company
Ecolab, Inc.
Marketplace Solutions
Michigan Bankard Services
Superior Coffee Company

SILVER
Mackinaw Administrators
Melody Farms Inc./Stroh’s

PATRON
Cochran Bros. Distributors, Inc.
Metro Packing/Culinary Specialties
Michigan Benefits Center