The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) implements two hospitality industry career-building programs, ProStart and HTMP, in high schools across Minnesota. HMEF also provides scholarships to students pursuing careers in foodservice or lodging management. Since 2008, HMEF has awarded $771,000 in scholarships to 313 students.
ProStart is a two-year curriculum for culinary arts and foodservice management, which includes classroom study, mentored work experiences, and the ProStart Invitational competition. Over 80 Minnesota schools offer ProStart programs, reaching more than 5,500 students annually.
​
The Hospitality & Tourism Management Program (HTMP) is a curriculum that introduces high school students to the lodging industry. The curriculum covers everything from front office and housekeeping management to marketing and sales, food and beverage, as well as general management and leadership skills. Currently the HTMP program is in 13 schools across Minnesota.
​
The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, relies on donations to fund its educational and outreach efforts.
Learn how HMEF impacts students lives:
Hospitality Leaders Fund
The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation extends a special thanks to our Leaders Fund donors for their generous support. Their leadership is critical to building the Foundation by supporting programs like ProStart and HTMP and to provide our industry with a workforce solution by educating educated, enthusiastic and energetic high school students. Become a Leaders Fund Donor by calling Cyndi Keesee, 651.925.4012.
HMEF 2020 Board of Directors
Chair: Doug Karle - LHR Hospitality
Vice Chair: Jim Benson - Sourcewell
Treasurer: Dave Garvey - Grand Casino
Immediate Past Chair: Tim Murray - Murray's Restaurant
Tim Boldt - Sysco Minnesota
Jim Bradshaw - Upper Lakes Foods
Dean Breuer - MN Dept. of Education, Mktg & Bus.
Rollie Carlson - Upper Midwest CMAA Chapter
Andrea Cummings - Lutheran Social Services
Jodi DePonty - Ecolab
Gayle Durand - Hopkins High School
Laura Garcia - Marriott Southwest
Ann Hutchinson - Pillager High School
Joyce Hwang, PhD. - Southwest Minnesota State Univ
Tom Kavanaugh - Kavanaugh’s Sylvan Lake Resort
Hal Langevin - US Foods
Mary Levinski - Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
Jennifer Lueck - Strategy Factory
Dennis McGuire - Vader and Landgraf, Inc.
Peter Mihajlov - Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Inc
Leopoldo Navorro - Cargill Foodservice
William Niemer, CEC, CCE, CE- That Cooking School
Rick Oknick - Banner Year Advisors
Mike “Pinto” Pantaleo - Reinhart Foodservice
Maxine Peterson - Minnesota Department of Education (non-voting)
Mitch Peterson - TPI Hospitality, Retired CEO
Keith Reardon - Morrissey Hospitality Group
Branden Robinson - South Pier Inn
Heidi Rosati - Coca-Cola
Chris Ruttger - Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge
Monique Sabby - Elk River High School
Nathan Sartain, CEC, CCE - Saint Paul College
Beth Schupp - Fair Hills Resort
Kenneth Schelper - Davanni's (retired)
Frank Soukup - Grand View Lodge
Brandon Supernault - Normandale Community College
Past Chairs:
Tom Chase - Chase Hospitality
Bill Foussard - Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn
Peter Mihajlov - Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Inc
Bill Naegele - Restaurants No Limit
Staff:
Liz Rammer - CEO
Cyndi Keesee - Administrative Coordinator