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About the Education Foundation

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Founded in 2006, the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) addresses the crucial need to build a steady and robust workforce pipeline by preparing the next generation of hospitality industry leaders. 

​Working with educators and hospitality industry professionals, the core focus of the HMEF is the use of two nationally-recognized curricula -- ProStart and the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP) -- in Minnesota high schools. Through classroom study and hands-on experience, students learn the foundations of culinary arts and hospitality management. Each spring, we host the Minnesota State ProStart Invitational, a team-based competition; the winner travels to Washington D.C. to represent Minnesota at the National ProStart Invitational.

Through our robust scholarship program, we build the bridge from experiential learning to careers in restaurants, hotels, resorts, campgrounds and other hospitality and tourism settings. Each year, more than 30 scholarships are awarded to students pursuing post-secondary degrees in hospitality and tourism management.

​To date, 330 students have received more than $802,000 in financial support. Scholarships are funded through the generous support of individual and corporate donors. Our signature fundraiser, Stars of the Future, pairs student teams with chef mentors for a tasting event and silent auction. We are also the grateful recipient of proceeds from the annual Toby Tournament.
 
Operating as a 501(c)3 charitable education foundation, HMEF is governed by a 30-member board of directors made up of industry members and educators. The HMEF receives administrative and staffing support through the Hospitality Minnesota Association.

​HMEF Staff

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Liz Rammer
President and CEO
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Cyndi Keesee
Administrative Coordinator
​ProStart & HTMP Program Manager

2023 HMEF Board of Directors

Chair: Jim Benson | Sourcewell
Vice Chair: Branden Robinson | South Pier Inn on the Canal
Secretary: Keith Reardon | Morrissey Hospitality Group
Treasurer: Frank Soukup | Cote Family Destinations
Assistant Treasurer: Tammy Olson | International Dairy Queen

Immediate Past Chair: Doug Karle | LHR Hospitality
General Directors:
Tim Boldt | Sysco Minnesota
Joshua Brown | Bachio
Rollie Carlson | Upper Midwest CMAA Chapter
Rick Casper | Casper’s Restaurant
Andrea Cummings | Minneapolis Foundation
Tim Devins | Upper Lakes Foods
Hoobie Eskuri | US Foods
Bill Godbe | Element Minneapolis, Downtown N Loop
Deb Hallbeck | Madden's on Gull Lake
Julia Henderson | MN Dept. of Education, FCS Specialist (non-voting)
Ann Hutchinson | Pillager High School
Joyce Hwang, PhD | Southwest Minnesota State Univ
Martin Kappenman | Peters, Revnew, Kappenman & Anderson
Tom Kavanaugh | Kavanaugh’s Sylvan Lake Resort
​Patsy Keech | Eagan High School
​Jordan Lenz | Anton's Restaurant
Mary Levinski | Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
​Ann Lovcik | CenterPoint Energy
Sheila Lukonen | DoubleTree St. Paul Downtown
Katie McNamara | Coca-Cola North America
Peter Mihajlov | Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Inc
Tim Murray | Murray's Restaurant
Leopoldo "Polo" Navarro | Cargill Foodservice
William Niemer, CEC, CCE, CE | That Cooking School
Tammy Olson | International Dairy Queen
Florian Riedel | Four Seasons Hotel
Monique Sabby | Elk River High School
Brandon Supernault | Normandale Community College
Kimberly Thompson | Maadaadizi Investments
Austin Thull | Aimbridge Hospitality
Past Chairs:
Tim Murray | Murray's Steakhouse
​Bill Foussard | Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn
Peter Mihajlov | Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Inc
​Bill Naegele | Restaurants No Limit
Tom Chase | Chase Hospitality

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Minneapolis  MN  55414
Phone: (651) 778-2400 | info@hospitalitymn.com

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  • Membership
    • What Members Say
    • Join Forms >
      • Operator Form
      • Allied Business Form
      • Tourism Partner Form
    • Login to Renew
  • Engagement
    • Programs and Events
    • Education and Training >
      • ServSafe
      • Sex Trafficking Prevention
    • Volunteer
    • Allied Members >
      • Allied Network
      • Become a Partner
      • Advertise with Us
    • Calendar
  • Advocacy
    • At the Legislature >
      • 2023 Legislative Agenda
      • 2023 Days at the Capitol
      • Capitol Updates
    • Advocacy Action Center >
      • Contact Your Elected Officals
      • Advocacy Group
    • Issue Briefs
    • HOPAC
  • Resources
    • Hospitality Law Review
    • Reports and Guidance >
      • Economic Snapshots
      • Monthly STR Summaries
      • Jobs Reports
    • Vendor Directory
    • BusinessCenter
  • HMEF
    • About the Foundation
    • Our High School Programs >
      • Pro Start
      • HTMP
    • HMEF Resources >
      • For Educators >
        • DEED Grants Through HMEF
        • ProStart Educators
        • HTMP Educators
      • For Students >
        • Next Generation Leader
        • Scholarships
      • For Industry Professionals
    • HMEF Events >
      • Hospitality Career Student Expo
      • Stars of the Future
      • ProStart Invitational
    • Support HMEF
  • About
    • About the Association >
      • Awards >
        • Hall of Fame Inductees
        • Of The Year Awards
    • NewsCenter
    • Contact Us