Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group signed a licensing agreement that will take the Gordon Biersch brand to Taiwan in 2008 with further plans for mainland China and beyond.
Jeff Lee ‘93, President of G & B Brewery Development (Asia), will lead the initial Taiwan opening and further Asian expansion. Lee, a graduate of Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism management, previously managed the opening and ongoing operation of numerous TGI Fridays located in Taiwan and China. In addition to over ten years of restaurant operating experience, he has taught a variety of hospitality courses at the Providence University located in Taichung, Taiwan. Robert Werk ’87 is the Chief Operating Officer of the Gordon Biersch Restaurant Group based in Chatanooga, TN.

FIU Hospitality Society Receptions
Frank van der Post BS MS '84, Senior Vice President, Americas Jumeirah, at the Jumeirah Essex House Hotel in New York City during the 91st International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show.Spring 2007 School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Career Fair. Alumni return to recruit.
FIU Hospitality Society-South Florida Chapter Reception hosted by Phil Goldfarb '79, President & COO Turnberry Associates, at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, Aventura, Florida
FIU Hospitality Society-Central Florida Chapter hosted by Tyrone Nabbie ''84, Managing Partner, Levy Restaurants, at the Orange County convention Center, Orlando, Florida.

Alumni Happenings
Lt. Col. Tony Millican '00 - Life has been wonderful over the past 6 ½ years since I graduated from the Hotel and Food service Management Masters program. I recently was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel...
Mark von Dwingelo '84 - of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels has been promoted to regional senior vice president-Northeast responsible for overseeing the select service division's Northeast office focusing on hotel capital advisory services and the disposition of hotel assets...
Wilson O. Osoro '79 - Director of Studies at Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi, Kenya is shown with Associate Professor JinLin Zhao in Bejing. Wilson attended a seminar for thirty-eight African hotel and tourism officials from twenty-two countries that was sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China..
Monique McKenzie '96 - Director of Business Travel and Leisure Sales, Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is one of 10 Marriott International, Inc. worldwide employees to be honored with the J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence, the 151,000-employee company's highest form of recognition .

Ms. Monique McKenzie, Director of Business Travel and Leisure Sales of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is among 10 select Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) worldwide employees to be honored with the J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence, the 151,000-employee company's highest form of recognition.

McKenzie holds a leadership role in developing outreach to new customers, as well as retaining a substantial and loyal local business network. “Monique also displays a genuine commitment to the community we serve,” said Liza Kubik, Director of Public Relations, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, FL. “She devotes many hours every month to charity and philanthropic endeavors to support local charitable organizations and community events.”
Congratulations Monique!

Bruce Blum '82 Executive Vice President and Principal of Oxford Lodging was instrumental in the Dubai Investment Group and Oxford lodging Group's acquisition of the 605-room Jumeirah Essex House for $440 million from SHCLLC II., which received the award in the Single Asset Transaction category of the 2006 ALIS Awards.

ALIS is the annual meeting place for hotel executives, investors, lenders, developers and the professional advisory community in the hotel and tourism industry. It is an event that brings together leading experts and investors to discuss important trends and to identify new opportunities. In January 2006, a record crowd of over 2,000 industry leaders attended ALIS in Los Angeles .

Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group, LLC is an advisory and investment firm focused on the property management, asset management and renovation of lodging assets.

Dean Joseph West with the Korean Alumni in Seoul, Korea

President of School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Alumni Association in Korea, visits Alma Mater

Dean Joseph West, Steve Hong '93, Associate Dean Lee Dickson

Alumni Return to Recruit Students at the Spring '05 "
Meet the Hospitality Industry Experts"

Moshe "Mony" Rosentzweig '00
Catering Director, China Bistro
Aventura, Florida

Peter Farrand '98
Executive Chef and
Orfa De Armas '00
Personnel Manager
Don Shula's Hotel &Golf Club

Gregg Brenner '91
Applebee's
Regional Human Resource Director

Kanet Gurel '00
Karina Castro '01
Taner Ozdal '02
Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Jose Gutierrez '98
Consultant, F & G
Tampa, FL

Lev Shnaidman '03
Bill Hansen Catering

Elisa Calosso '04
The Fairmont Turnberry Isle
Resort and Club

Eyal Goldberger '03
Front Desk Manager
Marriott Marco Island

Janet (soto) Masson '00, Spa Supervisor
Sofia Olazabal '03, Human Resource Coordinator
Osa Mallo '96, Spa Director
Mandarin Oriental Miami Hotel

Siegmund Brown '89 is the president of Exposerve Management Corporation in Tulsa Oklahoma. Exposerve, a contract foodservice company, is engaged in providing restaurant, catering, and concession-related services and management at institutional, governmental, commercial, and industrial locations. His company serves more than 1,000,000 meals annualy. He resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his wife Ann Marie and their son Broderick.

-- Siegmund Brown '89 with son Broderick

Alan Leibman '89 Appointed Chief Executive Officer for Kerzner International's Resort Casino in El Jadida, MoroccoKerzner International announced that Alan Leibman '89 has been appointed Chief Executive Officer for the company's new destination resort casino development, Mazagan, in El Jadida, Morocco. Alan has been with the company since 1995 and until recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. He was previously with Ritz Carlton serving as Director of Operations of the Ritz Carlton Group, Australia.

He will be responsible for working with the development team as they plan the resort, an estimated $230 million project consisting of 600 rooms, an 18-hole golf course, convention space, restaurants and a casino.

The Central Florida Chapter of the FIU Hospitality Society
Has a Gala Reunion

The evening was festive and the food and beverages were abundant at the "Spring Fling" of the Central Florida Chapter of the School's alumni. Host Tyrone Nabbie '84 adjusted his travel schedule to attend the gala evening presided over by chapter President John Bolanovich, '87. John, an attorney practicing in Orlando, is married to alumna Allison Frohman '86 who also attended with their young son. Dawn Walzak '86 was the surprise attendee that evening. Although she had her second child a few weeks ago it did not deter this loyal alumna who is also a member of the School's Industry Advisory Board. She arrived at the reception with her husband Michael and their beautiful new baby. A Central Florida alumni reunion would not be complete without Charlie Savarese '79 in attendance. Thank you Tyrone, John and Charlie for your efforts on behalf of the School and the alumni.

It was great seeing Tim Petrillo '94 who was visiting our School for the first time in many years. Tim is President of the Ft. Lauderdale based The Restaurant People, owners and operators of Tarpon Bend, Himmarshee and The River House restaurants.
Thanks for visiting Tim and best wishes to you.

ALUMNI WITH CELEBRITY CHEF
SOBE WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
TRIBUTE BRUNCH, LOEWS MIAMI BEACH HOTEL
SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2004

Front Row: Rick Barger '95, Linda Morgan, Rocco Angelo Assoc. Dean, Carla and Eric '77 Pfeffer

Back Row: Denise Rau Director of Development, John Masi '88, Liz Dexter '83, Raj Singh '80, Cathy Henry '83, Chef Todd English

The new leaders of the South Florida Chapter of the FIU Hospitality Society, Liz Dexter '83 and Cathy Henry '83 met over lunch at Timo to plan activities for the Chapter. Timo is the “hot” restaurant in Sunny Isles, Florida owned by alumni Tim Andriola '97 and Rodrigo Martinez '90. Stay tuned for the first event.

Eric Pfeffer '77 Anthony Nieves '83, the senior vice president of purchasing and supply for Hilton Hotels Corporation has been elected as chair of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Supply Management. Founded in 1915, the Institute is the largest supply management association in the world. The not-for-profit association provides opportunities for the promotion of the profession and the expansion of professional skills and knowledge.As a Hilton vice president, Anthony oversees the supply management of goods and services for all properties within the Hilton brands (500 hotels) as well as the formulation and implementation of corporate procurement policies and procedures. Additionally, he is the general manager of Hilton Supply Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation. In that position his responsibilities include the supervision of renovation, freight consolidation, installation, and purchasing services for furniture, fixtures, equipment and operating supplies for properties within the company.

Congratulations Anthony!

Alumnus Alfred E. Rudolph '85 has taken assumption of duties at the Pentagon as the Director of the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Executive Dining Facilities, serving the Secretary, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) along with their executive staff. Prior to his assignment, Alfred was the general manager at Fort Belvoir Officers' Club where he was the recipient of the James A. Carroll Award that recognized his excellence in management, and his club as the Department of the Army's top ranked Officers' Club worldwide. His tenure included managing Army Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) in military clubs, hotels and food and beverage operations in the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Korea and as the Chief, Community Operation Branch at the Military Ocean Traffic Management Command located in Bayonne New Jersey. His private sector experience begin while a student at FIU, where he worked for Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Hotels in Miami Florida. After graduating he was transferred to a larger property in Houston Texas.

Alfred is also the President of the Washington DC Branch of the International Food Service Executive Association and a Certified Food Executive. He has received the Department of the Army civilian citation Achievement Medal for Civilian Service and the Commander Award for Civilian Service. He earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Hospitality Management from Florida International University. Continuing his professional development, he graduated from Army Management Staff College. He is affiliated with several professional and community organizations, such as the National Capital Club Managers Association of America, the International Military Community Executive Association, and the Military Hospitality Alliance and is an Associate Board Member of the Fort Belvoir Federal Credit Union. He has traveled around the world in the honorary status as Brigadier General and recognized by the Department of the Army and Navy for his involvement as an evaluator for the Philip A. Connelly and the Edward F. Ney Award Programs, evaluating US Army large dining facilities, US Army Reserves Field Kitchen, US Army National Guards Field Kitchen and the US Navy Ashore Five Star Categories.

First, we want to thank Eric Pfeffer '77 for becoming a Lifetime member of the FIU Hospitality Society, the alumni association of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Congratulations are also in order for Eric, who after almost 25 years in the corporate world has started his own firm, The Pfeffer Group, LLC.

With his two partners they provide technology and telecommunications consulting and act as agents on solutions worldwide to the hospitality industry in areas of HSIA and In Room entertainment. Eric's two partners also provide expertise in the fields of new emerging technologies from Israel and other parts of the world for the cellular industry and telecommunications via satellites while he in turn with his in-depth knowledge of the hotel and restaurant industries and contacts worldwide heads the Consulting arm in hotel development, strategic partnerships and franchising. Eric was formerly the Chairman and CEO of Cendant's Hotel Division, the world's largest hotel franchisor with more than 6,400 hotel and nearly 540,000 rooms.

Thanks Eric, and Good Luck in your Endeavor!

Ron Ehrhardt ’80 was elected President of the Society for Foodservice Management (SFM) at the organization’s national conference held in October 2003 in Anaheim, California.

The Society for Foodservice Management is a national association of corporate liaison personnel and independent operators as well as national and regional foodservice contract management companies.

Ron Ehrhardt ’80

Additionally, consultants and companies providing products and service to the onsite market, and faculty and students of hospitality programs are also SFM members. The organization provides professional development through research and information and continuing education.

Ron is the Director of Food Services for Prudential Financial based at the company’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey.

Congratulations Ron!

Bob Midyette ‘88 Appointed Examiner
for 2003 Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award

School of Hospitality and Tourism Management alumnus, Bob Midyette ‘88, Manager of Fleet Beverage Operations for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line located in Miami, Florida, has been appointed by the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to the 2003 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. This is Bob’s third year serving on the Board of Examiners. The Award, created by public law in 1987, is the highest level of recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive.

As an Examiner, Bob is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the Award. The Board is composed of about 400 leading experts selected from industry, professional and trade organizations, education and health care organizations, and government.

Congratulations Bob!

J.T. Kuhlman ’74 Appointed CEO of New Luxury Resort Brand

J.T. Kuhlman ’74 Kerzner International Limited announced the appointment of J.T.Kuhlman ’74 as Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s recently launched One & Only Resorts, its luxury resort brand. J.T. will have overall global responsibility for the management and development of the One & Only team.

J.T. was with Inter-Continental Hotels for 24 years and most recently he served as the President of the Company. He was responsible for the growth and expansion of the Inter-Continental Brand worldwide, and gained a reputation with owners and managers as an excellent leader.

Congratulations J.T. from the FIU family.

The Central Florida Chapter of the FIU Hospitality Society
Meets in Orlando

It was a gala evening at the Citrus Club in Orlando on Friday, September 19th when more than 40 alumni, spouses and friends gathered together to renew friendships and to hear the latest news about the School. The hosts were Hank Carrico ’85, Manager of the club, and Molly McIsaac ’95, the club’s Events Director. The event coincided with the annual meeting of the Florida Restaurant Association at the Orange County Convention Center. It was also an evening of the “changing of the guard.” Sharif Aboushaba ’81 stepped down as President of the chapter and was replaced by John Bolanovich MS '87. John is an attorney practicing in Orlando and he is married to the former Allison Frohmann ’86. Charles Savarese ’81, as usual, was instrumental in organizing the evening.

John Bolanovich MS '87 President of the Central Florida Chapter of the FIU Hospitality Society

Alumni (and others) Come to the School to Recruit Students

On Wednesday, September 24th the Fall Semester Career Fair of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management took place in the ballroom of the Wolfe Center. Among the representatives of 44 hospitality and related organizations were a number of alumni, who returned, as alumni did before them, to recruit the next group of aspiring executives. Claudia Castillo ‘95, the School’s Assistant Director of Career Development, ably organized the Career Fair.