PR&LA Winter 2018

8  • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters • Winter 2018 Meet your Leadership Following in his father’s footsteps, Jim started working in hotels at the age of 15. Over 35 years of hospitality experience later, of which the last 30 have been in leadership positions with Marriott International, Jim has worked in a variety of hotel types and markets throughout the East Coast. He is currently area director overseeing 19 hotels located throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware. Prior to that, he held multiple general manager positions. Jim has been actively involved in the local hospitality community, holding leadership positions at various hospitality and tourism organizations. In addition to being actively involved with PRLA, having chaired multiple committees, he is currently on the Valley Forge Convention & Tourism Board. The development and recruitment of future hospitality leaders is important to Jim. He serves on the James Madison University Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Board, Widener University Hospitality Management Advisory Board, annually hosts internships, and assists Marriott’s college recruitment program. JIM GRATTON CHAIRMAN Marriott International—Philadelphia Since joining the PJW family, Jim Fris has been responsible for establishing all operations encompassing strategy, growth initiatives, profitability, purchasing, marketing and supportive corporate culture as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Under his tenure, PJW Restaurant Group has opened 10 new restaurants, increased revenues by $45 million and created synergies with local sports teams, The Wells Fargo Center, Comcast Sports Net, Temple University, and many others. His keen eye, unbridled enthusiasm, and across the board standards for quality, service, and commitment to community has served him and the group well. He brought more than 30 years of local and national leadership and hospitality management experience to the family dinner table. He was formerly the vice president of Brock and Company in Malvern, Pa. Prior to that, he served as district manager and director of purchasing for the Phoenix- based Restaurant Dining Services. JIM FRIS VICE CHAIRMAN PJW Restaurant Group—West Chester Tim studied hospitality management at Florida International University. He started his hotel career at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and has worked for Hilton Hotels for 25 years at 12 different hotels. Tim settled in Pittsburgh to lead the DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown team. Tim serves on the board of Visit Pittsburgh and is president of the Greater Pittsburgh Hotel Association. He was on the board for PTLA and PATT and contributed to the creation of PRLA, serving on its Executive Committee. He has served as chairman of PRLA’s PAC/Advocacy Committee for several years. Tim served as the 2016 Western Chapter President. TIM ZUGGER TREASURER DoubleTree by Hilton—Pittsburgh