Mentor 2009

JohnAltomare

NAME: John Altomare

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: President, 3 Foodies LLC Restaurant Owner

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 80 N. Main St. Hudson, OH  44236

PHONE: 330-475-7937

EMAIL: jaltomare@3foodies.com

__X__ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

John J. Altomare is a restaurant consultant and president of 3 Foodies, a company that includes a restaurant in Hudson, OH, which he runs with his two sons.  Altomare is a restaurant industry veteran with a long career history of success.  He was the senior vice president of concept development for Darden Restaurants, Inc.  Within the Red Lobster brand he oversaw innovations in the menu, restaurant operations, design, service, and technology.  Altomare started his restaurant career in 1979 and distinguished himself in leadership roles with Ground Round Restaurants, Chi Chi’s Mexican Restaurants, and P&L Foodservices – a Boston Market franchisee.  Altomare later became the executive vice president of concept development for Boston Market. Altomare is an ambassador of the Culinary Institute of America and serves on the Kent State University Hospitality Management Advisory Board.


JohnBibbo

NAME: John Bibbo

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: President, Event Source

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 6001 Towpath Drive Cleveland, OH  44125

PHONE: 216-525-1700

EMAIL: johnbibbojr@eventsource.net

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

John Bibbo, Jr. is president of Event Source. He has had successful and diversified experience in the rental products business. His efforts expanded and positioned Event Source into Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio’s largest source for rental products. He has built the company’s success on commitment to customer service for any size event in any location, superlative product quality and selection and state-of-the-art operations that are all backed by the expertise acquired during the firm’s 30-year history.

His vision and realization for the 71,000 sq ft Cleveland facility housing an immense showroom and centralized internal operations were evidenced in the construction of the Event Source building in Valley View, just south of Cleveland.

He was one of the founding members of the Cleveland Chapter of International Special Events Society (ISES) in 2007 and currently serves as its president.


Elissa Burnett1

NAME: Elissa Burnett

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Catering Event Manager, Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 24 Public Square Cleveland, OH, 44113

PHONE: 216.902.4195

EMAIL: Elissa.burnett@renaissancehotels.com


_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

I graduated from Kent State University in December, 2005 and then started working for the Wyndham Cleveland at Playhouse Square Hotel as Catering Sales Manager in January.  I worked there concentrating on the wedding and social market for two and a half years.  I began at the Renaissance in June, 2008 in the same market, expanding to larger events.  In both positions I sell the space for the events and also work with the client one on one until the event is over.  It is my job to be their “event manager” and coordinate their needs with the rest of the hotel staff from food and set up to décor and specialty items.  I have worked with groups as small as 30 all the way up to 1300 guests. 


RickCassara

NAME: Rick Cassara

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Owner- John Q’s Steakhouse

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 55 Public Square

PHONE: 216-861-0900

EMAIL: rick@johnqssteakhouse.com

__X__ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

Rick is a graduate of the State University of New York at Delhi with a Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He began his career at the age of 15 as a bus boy working in a family owned business. In 1973 he started with the Stouffer Restaurant Company as the restaurant manager of Top of the Sixes in New York City. A promotion made him the corporate marketing manager and in 1978 he moved to the corporate offices in Cleveland. Several years later, he became the vice president of marketing and served in that capacity until 1992. In 1992, Rick purchased John Q’s Steakhouse in downtown Cleveland facing Public Square. As the owner of a 250+ seat restaurant that is noted for its fine dining and outstanding menu, he understands first-hand the challenges of restaurant operators and the issues facing the industry.

He is a President of the Greater Cleveland Restaurant Association, Past Chairman of the Ohio Restaurant Association and founding board member of  The Cleveland Independents. Currently he is on the board of the Historic Warehouse District, the advisory boards of Beachwood High School Culinary Program and Tri-C’s Hospitality program.  


NAME: Bill Downey

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: GM/COO Beechmont Country Club

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 29600 Chagrin Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44122

PHONE: 216-831-9100

EMAIL: downeybcc@hotmail.com

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NAME: John George

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Marketing/Communications Manager/ Project Manager Cleveland Clinic

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 3050 Science Park Dr. AC 313 Cleveland, Ohio 44122

PHONE: 216-448-0775

EMAIL: Georgej2@ccf.org

___X_ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
___X_ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
___X_ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ____________________________________


NAME: John Goehler

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION:

BUSINESS ADDRESS:

PHONE:

EMAIL: jgoehler@kent.edu

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
__X__ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ____________________________________


NAME: Roger Greene

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: General Manager-Hilton Garden Inn

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 8971 Wilcox Drive  Twinsburg, OH  44087

PHONE: 330-405-4488

EMAIL: Roger.greene@hilton.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ____________________________________

I have 30 years of experience in hotel operations and sales.  I am a 1978 graduate of Kent State University.  I am the Regional Director of Operations for the Gateway Hospitality Group as well as the General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn in Twinsburg, Oh.  I received the General Manager of the year award in 2002 for the entire Hilton Garden Inn brand. 


DebHermann

NAME: Deborah Smythe Hermann

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Chairwoman and CEO GhostLight Productions, LLC

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 21050 Colby Rd. Cleveland, Oh 44122

PHONE: W 440-442-8300- C 216-544-9562

EMAIL: dhermann@ghostlightllc.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
__X__ Other  ______________________________________

For over 25 years, Deborah Smythe Hermann has championed fundraising and "friend-raising" for Cleveland organizations. Her breadth of experience and depth of community involvement have taken her from hard-working committee member to Chairwoman and CEO of GhostLight Productions, LLC.

In 2002, after many years as a volunteer committee member for non-profit galas, Deb began her love affair with special events as managing partner of MasterMinds, LLC, a high energy special events company. Building on the knowledge she and her former partner amassed as event planners, Deb and her new partner, David Shimp, formed GhostLight Productions, LLC in 2006. This partnership solidified her desire to add design and production services to her already impressive track record of successful planning services.

Deb specializes in elaborate fundraising galas, grand openings of national retail stores, theaters/performance centers, corporate headquarters, wedding décor and Broadway Show Tour Opening Night Galas. She was voted "Best Corporate Event Planner, 2010" by the subscribers of Cleveland Business Connects Magazine and is currently the President of ISES Cleveland (International Special Events Society) and serves on the international ESPRIT award committee. Some highlights of her 25 year career include the Grand Openings of The Idea Center at Playhouse Square, The Hanna Theater, Gunther Von Hagen's Body Worlds 2, Baseball as America, the Ride the Rainbow Galas for University Hospitals, The Human Fund, Frivolity (Gay Games IX Bid weekend) the 2009 AT&T United States Figure Skating Championships, The Dedication of the Monte Ahuja School of Business for Cleveland State University and The Grand Opening of the Allen Theater home for Cleveland State and the Cleveland Play House (December, 2011). Over the years, her dedicated attention to detail and passion for perfection has raised more than 8 million dollars for our region's economy.  Deb Hermann Co-Chaired the Opening Night Galas for the Broadway Tours of Lion King, Wicked, Jersey Boys, and Billy Elliot and is a member of the original Broadway investment team of Legally Blonde, the Musical which was nominated for 7 Tony Awards and 3 Drama Desk Awards. She makes her home in Shaker Heights, Ohio


Jaclyn Herrera1

NAME: Jaclyn Herrera

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Catering Event Manager, Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 24 Public Square Cleveland, Ohio 44113

PHONE: 216-902-4013

EMAIL: Jaclyn.Herrera@renaissancehotels.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
__X__ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ____________________________________

Hello, I am a 2002 KSU Graduate from the Hospitality Management Program.  Prior to attending KSU I graduated from Pennsylvania Culinary with a specialized degree in Culinary Arts. I have experience in several Food Service Industries. While attending KSU I worked at Olive Garden as a server and later in KSU Dining Services as a cook. I completed 2 culinary externships during my studies. One was at the Wyndham Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Florida and the other was at the Downtown Chicago Renaissance.  After Graduating, I was hired at the Country Club of Hudson as their Event Coordinator and am now currently at the Cleveland Downtown Renaissance Hotel where I started as a Banquet Supervisor and worked my way up to my current position of Catering Event Manager.  So I have a little bit of experience in several different Foodservice industries, but have my most experience in the hotel industry.


RachelHorner

NAME: Rachel Horner

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: The Kirtland Country Club Event Administrator

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 39438 Kirtland Road Willoughby, Ohio 44094

PHONE: 440-602-8420

EMAIL: rhorner@kirtlandcc.org

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
__X__ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

I graduated with Cum Laude Honors from The Kent State University Family and Consumer Studies College in the month of December, 2007. I began Introduction to Hospitality Management my Freshman Fall Semester. I enjoyed the class very much and continued with the educational program. I was inspired to become an Event Coordinator and wanted full focus on party planning.

For two years, 2005 to 2007, I worked as a banquet server at Quail Hollow Resort. Here, I confirmed my great interest in the industry and the reward of positive service for guests. I gained necessary experience and a base knowledge of proper etiquette at the resort. The summer of 2007, I began my internship at The Kirtland Country Club. I was active in planning weekly family events by coordinating themes. I also worked with the accounting department and contributed to month inventory counts. The club community had a more intimate atmosphere as I grew relationships with familiar members versus the broad array of resort cliental. Shortly after graduation, I was offered a full time position with The Kirtland Country Club. My title of profession is The Event Administrator. I am blessed to be included in the Kirtland family and continue to learn each day that passes.


NAME: George Kimson

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: COO Heritage Development Co.- The Bertram Inn

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 600 North Aurora Road, Aurora, OH 44202

PHONE: 216-956-9024

EMAIL: georgek@thebertraminn.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
__X__ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________


NAME: Michael Jacobs

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Executive Chef-Hilton Garden Inn

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 8971 Wilcox Drive  Twinsburg, OH  44087

PHONE: 330-405-4488

EMAIL: chefmonk@yahoo.com

__X___ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

I attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and have been a Chef for over 35 years.  I have worked at the Hilton Garden Inn for the past ten years but have also worked at social clubs and restaurants and was in business for myself for 14 years with a catering business and four different restaurants.


JustinKolanz

NAME: Justin Kolanz

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Assistant General Manager, The Country Club

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 2825 Lander Road Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124

PHONE: 216-831-2010 (direct) 440-289-5149 (mobile)

EMAIL: jkolanz@thecountryclub.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
__X__ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

I have been in the hospitality industry for the past 15 years, with six of those years focused on private clubs. I am currently the Assistant General Manager at The Country Club (Pepper Pike) and have been there since 2005. I am a GCCMAA Board Member & Membership Development Chair. I have been a member of CMAA since 2006 and am involved in the Membership Development Committee and the Education Committee.


NAME: John Koroly

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Senior Sales Manager-Hilton Garden Inn

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 8971 Wilcox Drive  Twinsburg, OH  44087

PHONE: 330-405-7683

EMAIL: John.Koroly@hilton.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
___X_ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
___X_ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

I have been in the hotel industry for 22 years.  Today I am the senior sales manager for the Hilton Garden Inn.  I worked as a corporate meeting detailer for the past two years and was in the SMERF market for three years prior to that.


NAME: Robert LaFever

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: President, CEO Portage Country Club

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 240 N. Portage Path Akron, OH  44303

PHONE: 330.836.4994

EMAIL: rjl@portagecc.org

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
__X__ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

I have been actively involved in the hospitality field since 1972. I have been a member of CMAA since 1981, have been a Certified Club Manager since 1991, was a member of the Honors Society in 1997 and became a Certified Chief Executive in 2009.


Timothy-La-Fleur_1

NAME: Timothy J. LaFleur, CMP

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Meeting & Event Manager

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 2500 E. Enterprise PRT, Twinsburg, OH 44087

PHONE: 330-486-0467

EMAIL: Tim.LaFleur@experient-inc.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other__________________________________________________ 

I have been with Experient since late summer of 2005.  I started out building registration/housing web-sites in our registration and housing department.  From there I moved into the meeting planning world and have been there ever since.  I have worked on shows as large as 20,000 attendees and as small as 500.  My job has taken me all over the country to work in a variety of cities and regions.  My client base is equally as spread out through out the country.  This past summer I sat for and received my Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation. 

In short as a Meeting & Event Manager at Experient we are responsible for the overall success of any conference, tradeshow, sales kick off, user meeting etc. that we plan.  We accomplish this by planning out all the logistical aspects of the meeting.  This includes working with the hotel on sleeping rooms, meeting space, food and beverage.  Working with an AV supplier to coordinate all the AV for the meeting, a decorator on the trade show floor as well as a destination management company for any offsite or special events.  In addition we work with transportation companies, security, printers, photographers temp staff and translating companies just to name a few.  We partner with the sponsoring organizations meeting planner to help them organize their program content and pull their event together.   In short we are the "go to" individual for an organizations meeting planner, hotel, supplier as well as for any attendee need.


NAME: Matt Liegl

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Human Resource Manager for The Anderson-DuBose Company

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 6575 Davis Industrial Parkway Solon, OH 44139

PHONE: (w) 440-542-3432 or (c) 216-308-8672

EMAIL: mliegl@anderson-dubose.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
__X__ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
__X__ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

Matt Liegl is Human Resource Manager for The Anderson-DuBose Company, Supply Chain partner to McDonald’s in Northern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.  Unlike many HR practitioners, Matt’s current role has him actively involved in the executive strategic planning process and execution for the company.  In his role, he is responsible for all employee relations, compensation, benefits, employee development, and succession planning for the company.  He is also charged with all people planning and development related to a major consolation effort moving two distribution centers into one in the first quarter of 2011.  This new facility will serve 500 restaurant locations and the executive team is focused on ensuring that the company reinvents itself as a high performance organization with its people driving results and growth. 

With a B.A. in Sociology from Miami University and an MBA from Cleveland State University, Matt's academic background contributes to his ability to help drive operational success while also thinking strategically about taking the organization to the next level. Prior to joining the staff of Anderson DuBose in 2008, Matt gained nearly 15 years of experience in staff/operations and human resource management in the retail, staffing, insurance, manufacturing, and distribution industries.


NAME: Tony Lofreso

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: US Foodservice

BUSINESS ADDRESS:

PHONE:

EMAIL:

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
__X__ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________


CarlLoPresti

NAME: Carl Lo Presti

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Senior Sales Consultant

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 1 Zenex Drive Cleveland, OH 44139

PHONE: 216-570-7503

EMAIL: carllopresti@mac.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
__X__ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

Carl is past president of A. LoPresti & Sons family owned food distributor serving Ohio's food service locations for 100 years. He is an adjunct faculty member of the Kent State University Hospitality Management staff. He is a past president of Tangible Leasing, Inc. and Tangible Transport, Inc. Carl established Classic Cuts Produce Co. to serve the processed produce needs of the area's hospitals and schools. Carl is currently a senior sales representative for Chem-Safe International, a local chemical manufacturer and distributor. Carl also consults for the food distribution industry. He is an avid but not very good golfer, woodworker, boater, sports car buff and lover of outdoor activities. Carl and his wife Patty live in Pepper Pike.


NAME: Bob McKechnie

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: VP of Sales

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 21500 Alexander Road, Oakwood Village, OH 44146

PHONE: 440-439-0600

EMAIL: bmckechnie@northernhaserot.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
___X__ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

As V.P. of Sales I am responsible for the management and direction of 15
DSM’s and Department Heads and 50 Sales Reps. in the State of Ohio
And SE Michigan in foodservice distribution.

I have 33 + years in the Food Industry, working for Durkee Foods,
Amstar Corporation (Domino Sugar), National Oats Company, and
Flour Pot Cookies before joining Northern Haserot.  All of my work
background has been in sales management with the companies above.

Professional associations include the ACF, NE Ohio Restaurant Asssoc.,
KSU Hospitality Advisory Board, and other various trade organizations
in my previous employ.


Anthony_Minelli

NAME: Tony Minelli

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Director of Food Service-IX Center

BUSINESS ADDRESS: One I-X Center Drive  Cleveland, OH 44135

PHONE: 216-265-2572

EMAIL: tminelli@ixcenter.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
__X__ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

As Foodservice Director of International Exposition Center, I have the opportunity to lead a team of culinary professionals responsible for providing all food, beverage and catering operations for a multi-faceted Convention, Meeting and Special Event center in Cleveland, Ohio.

My experience in the Hospitality Industry has provided me with a consistent track record of providing vision and leadership to achieve outstanding growth and customer satisfaction through expertise in the following areas:  Concessions, Specialty Catering, Convention Centers, Higher Education, Sports and Entertainment, Zoos, Museums and Racetracks. 


NAME: Kathy Pansmith

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Special Events Sales Manager-Hilton Garden Inn

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 8971 Wilcox Drive  Twinsburg, OH  44087

PHONE: 330-405-7687

EMAIL: Kathy.pansmith@hilton.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

I have been in this business for 17 years.  I started at the country club of Hudson as a server/bartender and then moved up to a dining room manager.  After that I was in charge of all of the events there including weddings, golf outings, showers, etc… 

I then made a move to the Hilton Garden Inn and I consider it the best decision of my life.  I started as banquet manager/sales and started selling a lot more and my job got busier.  Roger moved me to sales only.  I have been there for nine years now and I have to say how blessed I am to have found a job that I love and enjoy!


Matt Radicelli1

NAME: Matt Radicelli

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Founder/Owner Rock The House Entertainment Group, Inc.

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 7809 First Place Oakwood Village, OH 44146

PHONE: 440.232.7625

EMAIL: Matt.radicelli@rthgroup.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

Matt Radicelli is the founder and owner of Rock The House Entertainment Group, Inc, a full-service event production company located in Oakwood Village Ohio.  Rock The House produces events of all types; from private birthday parties and weddings to corporate fundraisers. We stand out in our region due to our ability to work as a turn-key solution to anyone planning an event and also our professionalism and customer service.  We pride ourselves in becoming know as one of the best event production companies in the area.  In utilizing music, atmospheric lighting, interactive activities and other forms of extra entertainment, Rock The House produces fun and custom events for people of all ages. 


Gerard Ramella1

NAME: Gerry Ramella

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Owner Cleveland Menu Printing

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 1441 E. 17 th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44114

PHONE: 216-241-5256

EMAIL: Gerryr@clevelandmenu.com

__X___ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
__X__ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

Cleveland Menu Printing is a full service graphic design and printing firm, established in 1930, providing menus for Restaurants, Hotels, Casinos and Clubs throughout the United States. We ship menus throughout the US as well as to the Caribbean and Mexico. This is a family run business that my father started in 1930 that currently my brother Tom and I are running. I have been actively involved with the business since 1978 and work in sales and the financial operation of the firm.


Stacey Renszel Owen1

NAME: Stacey Renszel

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Director of Food and Beverage Greystone Hall

John S. Knight Center

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 77 E. Mill Street Akron, Ohio  44308

PHONE: 330-374-8905

EMAIL: sosotcc@yahoo.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
__X__ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
__X__ Other -Banquet Facility and Theater______________________________________

I have had the privilege of being a hospitality leader for 15 years. Within that timeframe I have been a General Manager for 5 private clubs and have earned the Certified Club Manager designation. I currently hold the position of Director of food and beverage service for The Greystone in downtown Akron, a theater and banquet facility, owned by the city of Akron and the John S. Knight Convention Center in Akron.

I have been a member of KSU Hospitality Board for 6 years and was the Manager Liaison for the CMAA student group at KSU for 4 years.  I have served on the Greater Cleveland Chapter of Club Managers for 3 years.  I have been a guest lecturer for KSU Hospitality program and have published articles for Ohio Turf  Magazine.  I was involved in the KSU mentorship program a year and a half ago.


AlisaRini

NAME: Alisha Rini

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Director of Catering and Special Events

at The Country Club

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 2825 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124

PHONE: 216.831.9200

EMAIL: arini@thecountryclub.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
__X__ Private Club
__X__ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

While attending Kent State University, I completed my internship at Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette, Illinois. At Westmoreland I was able to interact with members and learn the in’s and out’s of Country Clubs.

After graduating from the Hospitality program at Kent State University I began my career at Lockkeepers Restaurant as the Assistant Event Coordinator. I eventually moved up to the Private Dining Coordinator where I organized, coordinated, and documented all aspects of private dining events including banquet bookings, room setup, and menu and wine selections.

I am currently the Director of Catering and Special Events at The Country Club in Pepper Pike. At The Country Club, my duties are to book, plan, and execute private and club events for six private dining rooms.


NAME: Rich Roldan

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION:

BUSINESS ADDRESS:

PHONE:

EMAIL:

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other -Banquet Facility and Theater______________________________________


DanSmith

NAME: Daniel P. Smith

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: VP of Food & Beverage - Cleveland Indians

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 2401 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115

PHONE: 216-420-4470

EMAIL: dsmith@indians.com

_X___ Restaurant & Night Club
_X___ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_X___ Private Club
_X___ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_X___ Other-Culinary

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NAME: Robert Trammell

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: General Manager-Sheraton Akron

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 1989 Front Street Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

PHONE: 330-920-7545

EMAIL: rtrammell@sheratonakron.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other __________________________________________________________________

Robert is currently the General Manager of the award winning Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls.  He began his career in the hospitality business as a server in a fine dining room of a hotel in Austin Texas while attending the University of Texas as a Business/Pre-law student.  Robert then attended the University of Las Vegas in order to pursue a career in hospitality.  His career progressed in the food and beverage discipline at several hotels before becoming the General Manager of a resort property in Texas.  He has worked in Texas, Florida, Missouri and Ohio in the capacity of General Manager and Regional Director of Operations for several brands of hotels.


RickTurner

NAME: Rick Turner

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Director of Business Development/Event Producer

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 6001 Towpath Drive Cleveland 44125

PHONE: 216-525-1643

EMAIL: rickturner@eventsource.net

__X__ Restaurant & Night Club
__X__ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
__X__ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
_____ Private Club
__X___ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
__X___ Other - Tradeshows and National Association Event Managment_______________

Rick Turner is the Director of Business Development at Event Source and co-founder of Event Expo. He has been working within the Northeastern Ohio hospitality industry for the last ten years, and has devoted much of his time and efforts towards leading and advising local industry organizations and associations. Mr. Turner sits on several local boards, including; SME Cleveland, ISES Cleveland, and is a member of the Business Development Committee of Positively Cleveland, the region’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is also the current Cleveland chapter President of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association (HSMAI), a globally recognized source for sales and marketing information for the travel and hospitality industry. Rick is a 1998 graduate of the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts and resides with his wife and two children in Parma.


NedWelc

NAME: Ned Welc

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: General Manager/COO-The Mayfield Sandridge Club

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 1545 Sheridan Rd. South Euclid, OH 44121

PHONE: 440-796-7922 or 216-381- 0826

EMAIL: nwelc@mayfieldsandridge.com

_____ Restaurant & Night Club
_____ Foodservice Management (e.g. School, contract food, corporal dining, sport venue)
_____ Food Distribution and Sales
_____ Hotel, Resort, & other related Accommodations
__X__ Private Club
_____ Event and Convention
_____ Foodservice & Hospitality Media
_____ Other  ______________________________________

I Graduated from the University of Akron with a Business Degree and The University of Cincinnati with a Master's Degree in Education.

I have been a private club manager in Ohio and Florida for 29 years. I am currently the President of the CMAA Cleveland Chapter, the Club Managment Instructor at Kent State University, the President of the Kent State University Hospitality School Business Advisory Board.