LANSING - The Michigan Restaurant Association in January recognized Jerry Fournier, executive vice president of HDS Services in Farmington Hills, as the 2003 Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Active in the MRA since 1978, Fournier was a board member since 1982 and served as MRA president in 2001 - where he was the first non-restaurateur to hold such a position.
"Jerry has poured his time, talents and energy into making the MRA a high-quality organization since he first became active in our association more than 20 years ago," said MRA Executive Director Rob Gifford. "Jerry always makes sure the MRA and its members are constantly working to best represent the needs of restaurateurs, owners and operators in the foodservice industry. With more than 35 years of diverse hospitality experience, the MRA has relied on Jerry's expertise as a leader and innovator."
Fournier is well acquainted with the hospitality business through managing more than 200 hospitality accounts over the past 30 years for HDS Services, one of the largest contract management companies in the United States. HDS is headquartered in Farmington Hills, Mich., with regional offices in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas and Japan.
Fournier joined HDS Services in April 1969, after earning a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University's School of Hospitality Business and serving in the United States Army as Master Sergeant and Food Steward.
He first entered the hospitality field as the assistant manager at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville, Mich., where in 1972 he became Director of Marketing and Development for the U.S. market and the newly established Canadian division, HDS, Ltd., in Ontario.
Both regions grew significantly under Fournier's management. Later that year, Fournier oversaw the formation and development of the Triplett Services division, the company's diversification into the non-healthcare sector, providing hospitality and food service to business and industry, schools and universities and private clubs. Both HDS, Ltd. and Triplett Services were ultimately dissolved, with HDS retaining accounts in all sectors of food service in the U.S.
Fournier's experience and educational background made him the perfect candidate to coordinate operations at HDS, supervising more than 50 food service and hospitality management facilities. He also supervised three regional directors and coordinated purchasing and personnel functions.
Beginning in 1976, Fournier has guided the marketing and development efforts as group vice president at HDS, as well as in his present role as executive vice president. He has worked diligently to recruit a dedicated, qualified staff to cover expanding geographic markets.
Fournier and his wife, Joanne, are the proud parents of two Michigan State University Spartans, Jason and Kellee. Fournier continues to actively support his alma mater, particularly the School of Hospitality Business.
