Distinguished Service Award

Each year, the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association presents the Distinguished Service Award - the highest honor given by the MRLA. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals who have provided exceptional and continuing leadership, vision, and commitment to the Michigan hospitality industry. 

​Award recipients are selected each year by past winners based on submitted nominations. 

Past Winners

Bill Wentworth Jr., 2024
Miller Apple

Jim Holton, 2023
Mountain Town Station

Thomas "Dewey" Bramson, 2022
Equity-Vest

Brad Keen, 2022
Boyne Resorts

Ken Miller, 2021
Millennium Restaurant Group

Tim Hanna, 2020
RPS Regency

Patti Ann Moskwa, 2019
Horn's Gaslight Bar & Restaurant

Janet Sossi Belcoure, 2018
Roma Cafe

Ken Wasco, 2017
Gordon Food Service

Jeff Lobdell, 2016
Restaurant Partners Management, LLC

Steve Loftis, 2015
Harbor Restaurants
​
Matt Durack, 2014
Cregar Enterprises

Conrad Knape, 2013 
Ponderosa 
 
John B. Carlin Jr., 2012 
Carlin Edwards Brown PLLC 
 
Tom Brann, 2011              
Brann's Sizzling Steaks 
 
Larry Brown, 2010            
Michaels & Associates 
 
Craig Bickley, 2009 
CDI Technology 
 
Barrie Borovsky, 2008     
MGM Grand 
 
Mark Wibel, 2007             
Carraba's 
 
Dennis Brinker, 2006       
Sign of the Beefcarver 
 
Craig Heath, 2005             
Red Cedar Grill 
 
Steve Montanye, 2004  
Damon's 
 
Jerry Fournier, 2003        
HDS Services 
 
William T. Roberts, 2002
Roberts Restaurant Group 
 
Jon Gould, 2001                
Palio's 

John Dodge, 2000            
Sneaker's 

Dudley Marvin, 1999       
Stafford's Hospitality 

Bill Morgan, 1998              
Elias Bros. 

Susan Zehnder, 1997      
Zehnder's of Frankenmuth 
​
Jeff Tuma, 1996 
The Embers 
 
Robert Lippert, 1996       
Mt. Pleasant High School 
 
Kevin J. Downey, 1995   
Fox & Hounds 
 
Pat Priemer, 1994            
King's Motel & Restaurant 
 
Michael Gibbons, 1993  
Mainstreet Ventures 
 
David Ostrander, 1992   
Big Dave's Pizzeria 
 
Art Weeber, 1992            
Hathaway House 
 
Tom Pavloff, 1991            
Cadillac Coffee 
 
Alex Czinki, 1991               
Villa Ristorante Italiano 
 
Reid Ashton, 1990            
The Golden Mushroom 
 
Ralph Lorenz, 1989          
Mayflower Hotel 
 
Ralph Miesel, 1989          
Miesel-Sysco 

Carl Rosenfield, 1988      
Carl's Chop House 
 
William Zehnder Jr., 1987              
Bavarian Inn 
 
Edwin Zehnder, 1987      
Zehnder's Hotel 
 
Clarence Tuma, 1986      
The Embers 
 
Richard Cregar, 1985       
Cregar Enterprises/ CAV Food Services 
 
Donald Payne, 1984        
Family Buggy 

Myron “Bill” Osborn, 1984            
Scweizer's North 
 
​Mark Steinbrunner, 1983              
The Lakewood Inn 

​Thomas Davis, 1983         
Tom Davis & Sons Dairy 
 
Martin Kreger, 1982        
HO Machus Enterprises 
 
Adrian DeVogel, 1981     
Dearborn Inn 
 
Martin Bishop, 1980        
 
Karl Bennett, 1979           
Bennett & Gorcyca 
 
Charles Muer, 1978         
CA Muer Corp. 

​Herb & Carolyn Schmid, 1977      
The Scmid Haus 
 
Jerry Hill, 1976   
Bill Knapps 
 
Katie Shield, 1975             
Shields Inc. 
 
Edwin Miller, 1974        
EA Hinrichs Co. 
 
Robert Lajoie, 1973         
Sign of the Beefcarver 
 
Harris Machus, 1972        
Red Fox 
 
Harold Cregar, 1971         
Cregar's Pickwick House 
 
James Rather, 1970         
Prophet Foods Co. 
 
Louis Krass, 1969              
Great Lakes Hotel Supply 
 
Henry Montague, 1968  
Greyhound Food Management 
 
Jack Bedell, 1967              
Bedell's Restaurant 
 
John Bolhuis, 1966           
Mary Avis, Inc.
 
Peter Westberg, 1965   
Top Hat, Inc. 
 
Fred Simonsen, 1964      
Greenfield Restaurants