Biography

Dr. West, currently serving as Dean, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Florida International University was formerly Department Chairman of Hospitality Administration, College of Business , The Florida State University and Director, Hospitality Education Program, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, State of Florida . While at Florida State University he was instrumental in founding and developing the University Center Club in partnership with Club Corporation of America and the Seminole Boosters. Under his leadership the Department of Hospitality Administration received the largest cash gift ever made to Florida State University to that time. Possessing extensive managerial experience in the hospitality industry, he has served as Vice President of Operations, Spring Garden Grill and Bar ( Greensboro , N.C. ); General Manager, Franklin 's Off Friendly ( Greensboro , N.C. ); General Manager, Colony House/Wine Cellar Restaurants ( Charleston , S.C. ); and, General Manager, Colony Caterers ( Charleston , S.C. ).

Serving over twenty years in the U. S. Navy, he rose from Seaman Recruit to Lieutenant Commander, Medical Service Corps. He held many positions of responsibility, including tours of duty as Director of Dietary Services in three Naval Regional Medical Centers - two of which were teaching facilities. He has consulted for such varied organizations as the United Nations (strategic planning for tourism in emerging countries), the U. S. Army (morale and recreation facilities management), Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation (franchise operations), Barnett Bank, Inc. (foodservice facilities design and operation), and St. Augustine (Florida) Tourism Development Council (service employee development).

Under his leadership the School has entered into a long term agreement with the government of the city of Tianjin , PRC ( China 's third largest city) to deliver bachelor and master degrees of hospitality management and tourism management. This program, the first of its kind in China , has its own 80 acre campus in Tianjin fully funded by the Chinese government; and, currently has an enrollment of over 650 students.

Dean West has made many international, national and regional presentations, published numerous articles in leading industry and academic journals, including chapters in three books: Hospitality Management: An Introduction to the Industry; International Hospitality Management: Corporate Strategy in Practice; and Service Quality in Hospitality Organizations . He has co-authored a book, now in its 3rd edition, on competition and strategy in the hospitality industry published by Prentice Hall: Strategic Management in the Hospitality Industry . In 2001 he was recognized as one of the most influential hospitality authors of the decade (1989 - 1999) by researchers at Michigan State University and the University of Nevada , Las Vegas . He has been listed in Who's Who Among America 's Teachers 2002 -2003 and 2003-2004. In 2004 he was honored as the Educator of the Year by the Florida Hotel and Motel Association; in 2005, he was listed among "Florida Hospitality's Most Influential People" by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association; and, in 2006 he was recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as a "Heavy Hitter in South Florida Education".

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