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.
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.
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
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
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General Directors:
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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 | Zepole Restaurant Supply Co. 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 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 Michael Peterson | Coca-Cola North America Florian Riedel | Four Seasons Hotel Monique Sabby | Elk River High School Brandon Supernault | Normandale Community College Kimberly Thompson | Doubletree by Hilton Minneapolis - Park Place 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
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
