Michigan Restaurant Association Elects 2002 Officers

LANSING - The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) Board of Directors recently elected Larry Schuler, Craig Heath and Jeff Tuma to leadership positions for 2002.

Schuler, MRA?s newly elected president, has been in the restaurant business since the age of nine and is a fourth-generation Schuler restaurateur. He left the Marshall-based family business in 1990 to open Schu?s Grill & Bar in St. Joseph and Schuler?s of Stevensville. He is also the founder of West Michigan Athletic Ventures, Inc., a non-profit organization formed to raise money for underprivileged children?s education. He has been a MRA member for 15 years, served as a board member for seven years and was last year's vice president.

"Im looking forward to moving into the leadership role I've been given," said Shuler. "The MRA represents nearly four thousand restaurants in the state and our growing membership shows our voice is only getting stronger."

Heath, MRA's newly elected vice-president, opened his first restaurant, Hector & Jimmys, in Milford in 1985, and has been a member of the MRA ever since. In 1990 he opened Brighton Bar & Grill, and in 1996 he added Red Cedar Grill in Williamston. He also serves as a lecturer at Michigan State University's School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management - the program he graduated from in 1972. Heath was MRA's treasurer last year.

"I am honored to be elected vice president," said Heath. "My experience managing and operating restaurants in different markets across the state has shown me the breadth of the MRA's membership and benefits."

Tuma, MRA's newly elected treasurer, began his apprenticeship in the family-owned restaurant, The Embers in Mount Pleasant, after attending Central Michigan University. He quickly worked his way up the ranks and purchased the restaurant from his father, Clarence, in 1989. He also owns Tuma's Country Gourmet, which offers unique foods and home replacement meals. Tuma has been a member of the MRA since 1963 and received its Distinguished Service Award in 1996. He has also served in several MRA leadership positions, including president.

"It's an honor to return as an officer," said Tuma. "My experiences as a past president as well as what I have learned in MRA leadership roles since have prepared me for the challenges of the upcoming year."

"It is extraordinary to have a group of officers whose years in the hospitality business span not only decades, but generations," said MRA Executive Director Rob Gifford. "We know the experience and talent of this year's officers will keep MRA members united and keep our voice strong." The MRA represents nearly 4,000 eating and drinking establishments statewide. On a typical day, more than 4 million meals are purchased from Michigan foodservice establishments. # # #