Dr. Ronald F. Cichy Named Secretary-Treasurer of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation
EAST LANSING, Michigan, December 9, 2005) The new officers of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) were recently elected at the AH&LEF Board of Trustees meeting in New York City. The AH&LEF, formerly called the Educational Institute, has for 50 years been the premier source for industry-tested, research-driven hospitality training resources worldwide. Its Board of Trustees officers have always been hospitality industry leaders, but the new officers now include a hospitality business educator, Dr. Ronald F. Cichy, Director and Professor of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. Dr. Cichy will serve as secretary-treasurer. This is the first time an educator has served in this capacity in the history of the foundation. The new chairman of the board is Gerald W. Petitt, president & CEO of Creative Hotel Associates, and the vice chairman is Jay S. Witzel, President & CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide.
"I am honored to be part of the AH&LEF and its global educational mission," says Dr. Cichy. "I am also proud to represent the hospitality academy and Michigan State University on this distinguished Board."
The AH&LEF provides hospitality education, training materials and professional certification using the Internet, videos, DVDs, textbooks, study guides, and seminars for all levels of hospitality personnel. Training programs focus on every aspect and every level of lodging operations from delivery of exceptional guest service to food safety. AH&LEF has an entire academic division that develops course materials for 1,200 two- and four-year hospitality schools worldwide, and distance learning programs offering college-level hospitality courses on a home-study basis.
About The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University
Founded in 1927, The School is celebrating its 78th year anniversary in 2005. The School has more than 8,500 graduates worldwide, including a number of leading academicians and industry executives. The mission of The School is to continually enhance The School's leadership position in hospitality business education through teaching, research, and service. Recognized as the top-ranked hospitality business school in the world, The School offers an exceptionally well-crafted curriculum, taught by innovative professors who are leading textbook authors, sought-after consultants, and respected researchers.
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