Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2025
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Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association announces finalists for 2025 Stars of the Industry Awards
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) has announced the top three finalists for each category within the Stars of the Industry Awards. This prestigious event recognizes exceptional leaders within Michigan's hospitality industry who have demonstrated professionalism, creativity and commitment to enhancing the industry.
The Stars of the Industry Awards encompass a diverse range of categories, each highlighting excellence in specific roles within the hospitality industry. The categories and top three finalists within each include:
"We are proud to recognize these outstanding finalists who tirelessly work to elevate our industry in Michigan," said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of MRLA. "Countless individuals within our hospitality industry continue to make a meaningful impact on guests and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of hospitality. We look forward to coming together as an industry to honor their collective efforts and celebrate their individual accomplishments."
Nominees for the Stars of the Industry Awards are shared by their industry peers or members of the public, with winners being selected by a distinguished panel of industry leaders. Four categories including Bartender Star of the Year, Emerging Hospitality Star of the Year, Guest Experience Stars of the Year and Resort Star of the Year will be chosen by the public, fans and guests who support the MRLA members.
The winners in each category will be announced during the Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 16, at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. For a more detailed description of each category, or to purchase tickets to the awards dinner, please visit https://www.mrla.org/stars.html.
The Stars of the Industry Awards is not only an opportunity to highlight industry stars, but also fundraise for the Michigan Hospitality Foundation with a mission to enhance the hospitality industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities.
The Stars of the Industry Awards encompass a diverse range of categories, each highlighting excellence in specific roles within the hospitality industry. The categories and top three finalists within each include:
- Allied Partner Star of the Year
- Gordon Food Service
- Fahey Schultz Burzych & Rhodes, PLC
- Republic National Distributing Company
- Bartender Star of the Year
- Alex Weinert - Wings Etc., Sturgis MI
- Chum Skiera - Apache Trout Grill, Traverse City
- Malena Skorpen - Border Cantina, Novi
- CVB Star of the Year
- Brad Barnett - Visit Keweenaw
- Linda Freybler - Calhoun County
- Trevor Tkach -Traverse City Tourism
- Emerging Hospitality Star of the Year
- Katelyn Belonga - Brentwood Grille, Novi
- Samantha Derocher - Double Tree by Hilton, Bay City-Riverfront
- Victoria Hutter - The H Hotel, Midland
- Engineering & Operations Star of the Year
- Dale DePetro - Park Place Hotel, Traverse City
- Dale Kilmer and Curt Mushlock - Mission Point, Mackinac Island
- Jalen Holly - The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham
- Guest Experience Star of the Year
- Deland (Chip) Davis - Fire Keepers, Battle Creek
- Mary Garcia - Residence Inn, East Lansing
- Michael Quinn - New Holland South Haven
- Heart of the House Star of the Year
- Bradon Fisk - Hampton Inn, Manistee
- Jeff Wolfe - Corner Bar, Rockford
- Joy Fidler - Crooked River Lodge, Alanson
- Hospitality Star of the Year
- Jim Engel - Bavarian Inn, Frankenmuth
- Ross Bartlett - Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids
- Jim Hogan, Anna's House East Beltline, Grand Rapids
- HR Professional Star of the Year
- Ellen Davey - The Iroquois Hotel, Mackinac Island
- Jeromy Stanley - Grand Traverse Resort, Acme
- Manuel Sahagun - Double Tree by Hilton, Battle Creek
- Manager Star of the Year
- Brian DeMeester - Fire Keepers, Battle Creek
- Joy Underwood - Staybridge Kalamazoo
- Marcus Matthews - Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville
- North Star Award: Employee of the Year
- Andrea Crawford - Mission Point, Mackinac Island
- James Vizard - Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport
- Mark Beer - Perry Hotel, Petoskey
- Resort Star of the Year
- Mission Point
- Saint Johns Resort
- Treetops Resort
- Room Attendant Star of the Year
- Alyssa Warren - The Tulyp, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Holland
- Beverly Maddox - Park Place Hotel, Traverse City
- Carla Watts - Mission Point, Mackinac Island
- Sales & Marketing Star of the Year
- Jon Grayeb - Patton Wings, Shelby Township
- Selena Wirgau - Tree Tops, Gaylord
- Scott Sinnsard - Park Place Hotel, Traverse City
- Women in Hospitality Leadership Star of the Year
- Amanda Downs - Ford’s Garage, Novi
- Devon Janks - U of M Catering, Dining Services, Ann Arbor
- Rachel Tejada - Creative Dining Services, Holland
"We are proud to recognize these outstanding finalists who tirelessly work to elevate our industry in Michigan," said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of MRLA. "Countless individuals within our hospitality industry continue to make a meaningful impact on guests and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of hospitality. We look forward to coming together as an industry to honor their collective efforts and celebrate their individual accomplishments."
Nominees for the Stars of the Industry Awards are shared by their industry peers or members of the public, with winners being selected by a distinguished panel of industry leaders. Four categories including Bartender Star of the Year, Emerging Hospitality Star of the Year, Guest Experience Stars of the Year and Resort Star of the Year will be chosen by the public, fans and guests who support the MRLA members.
The winners in each category will be announced during the Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 16, at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. For a more detailed description of each category, or to purchase tickets to the awards dinner, please visit https://www.mrla.org/stars.html.
The Stars of the Industry Awards is not only an opportunity to highlight industry stars, but also fundraise for the Michigan Hospitality Foundation with a mission to enhance the hospitality industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities.
About the Michigan Hospitality Foundation
The Michigan Hospitality Foundation, formerly known as the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation, seeks to enhance the hospitality industry's service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. The
MHF also prepares high school students for the challenges of a career in restaurants and foodservice through ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry. ProStart students learn vital kitchen skills, including food safety and knife cuts, and important management lessons, such as menu development and marketing. For more information, visit https://www.mihf.org.
The Michigan Hospitality Foundation, formerly known as the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation, seeks to enhance the hospitality industry's service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. The
MHF also prepares high school students for the challenges of a career in restaurants and foodservice through ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry. ProStart students learn vital kitchen skills, including food safety and knife cuts, and important management lessons, such as menu development and marketing. For more information, visit https://www.mihf.org.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,500 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 450,000 people and creating nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,500 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 450,000 people and creating nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
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