Weber's Welcomes New Member of the Family to Company

Longtime hotel general manager retires; brothers Brian and Michael Weber named Vice Presidents in Food and Beverage and Hotel Operations, respectively

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. December 24, 2015

December 24, 2015 - Ken Weber, the president of Ann Arbor landmark Weber's, recently announced the addition of Brian Weber as Vice President, Food and Beverage and has named Michael Weber Vice President, Hotel Operations.

Brian Weber, who started working at the company business at age 14, recently returned to Michigan after four years with Hillstone Restaurant Group. Michael Weber, who previously served as Vice President, Food and Beverage, is taking over the reigns of the hotel from John G. Staples, the longtime general manager who retired in early December.

Knowing he wanted a future in the restaurant and hotel industry, Brian attended Michigan State University, receiving a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Business in 2011. Following school, he joined Hillstone Restaurant Group, a collection of privately owned, upscale-casual restaurants more commonly known for the Houston's, Bandera and Gulfstream concepts. He began his training with the company in Miami and later served as Service Manager in Chicago, Kansas City, New Orleans, Houston and Irvine, California.

“Working in a variety of markets gave me a chance to see how each Hillstone restaurant fit into varying types of markets. I learned which practices always worked and which ones sometimes did not,” said Brian Weber. “Now that I am back in Ann Arbor, I am eager to apply the best practices I have gathered and make Weber's even more competitive than before.”

In early 2015, Brian left Hillstone to attend a 10-week, intensive sommelier-training program at the International Culinary Center in San Jose, California. In addition to passing the Court of Master Sommeliers Guild Level II Certified Sommelier exam, he also spent time touring the vineyards in Napa that are on Weber's wine list. He returned to Ann Arbor in October.

“I am very pleased to welcome Brian back to Weber's,” said Ken Weber. “He has always been passionate about the business and I am looking forward to seeing first hand what he learned while with Hillstone. Michael has done a fantastic job setting the stage for Brian and I know he will be incredibly successful as the head of our hotel operations.”

Staples joined Weber's in 1969 working maintenance, moving tables and chairs. The University of Michigan graduate was later promoted to his longtime position in the 1980s and later became Washtenaw County's longest serving general manager.

“I never would have guessed that working at Weber's would become a 46-year career,” said John Staples. “The Weber's make their employees feel like part of a family and I am honored to have worked for three generations of true hospitality professionals. I will miss the excitement of this business.”

Adds Ken Weber, who worked with Staples for 35-years, “John was the tireless core of our business structure. In our time together, we complimented one another as we sought to provide a superior product to our guests and secure employment for our staff. He will be sorely missed.”

About Weber's

Weber's is a restaurant and boutique hotel merging traditional architecture and hospitality with contemporary style. Its classic American dining makes it an Ann Arbor mainstay with modern charms like the Habitat Lounge featuring live entertainment and dancing seven nights per week. Whether visiting from out of town or local, patrons are sure to enjoy the outdoor terrace, award-winning wines and the area's finest prime rib, steak and seafood. Weber's is located at 3050 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more info visit: www.webersannarbor.com.

Contact:
Lauren Herrin
lherrin@marxlayne.com
248-855-6777