PR&LA Fall 2018

Fall 2018 • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters •  27 Lehigh Valley Chapter Happy Retirement! In March, Discover Lehigh Valley’s President Mike Stershic announced he would retire at the end of 2018. He has served the organization for 14 years. Discover Lehigh Valley’s Board of Directors appointed Alex Michaels to the position of president effective October 1. Mike will remain on board through the end of the year to assist with the transition. Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group named Mike Axiotis its new CEO in August. Mike succeeds Jim Ryan, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Mike joined the group as an assistant manager in 1998, and has ascended through all management levels along the way to his new position. Northeastern Chapter Great community spirit! In June, Wilkes-Barre experienced a tornado in which 23 businesses sustained significant damage. Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group’s Wilkes-Barre Red Robin, approximately a half mile from the touchdown site, was not damaged. The restaurant team organized a delivery of burgers and drinks for the first responders at the scene of the damage. Keystone Chapter Congratulations to Fritz Smith on being appointed executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau. Prior to joining CPCVB, Fritz was the vice president of research and hotel initiatives for Visit Philadelphia. Congratulations, Fritz! Lancaster Chapter GPS Hospitality—Burger King held a grand re-opening celebration at their Lititz location in September. The ribbon-cutting event included games and prizes, too! The restaurant was updated to incorporate features that are more environmentally conscious and user friendly. Happy retirement to former PRLA chairman Ray Hottenstein. The Hottensteins recently sold their restaurant, the Greenfield Restaurant and Bar, after nearly 30 years of operations to former White House executive chef John Moeller. ➔