2017 Award Winners

Chairman’s Award
Lynne A. Urbani, Director, House Policy Office, Rhode Island House of Representatives

President’s Award
Bob Luz, Massachusetts Restaurant Association

Hotelier of the Year
Valer Andrews, Newport Marriott

Restaurateur of the Year
Richard Minjireh, Richards Pub & Restaurant and RTrrow Pub & Grille

Boss of the Year
Kristine Cox, The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina
Jackson Donoyan, NYLO Hotel

Vendor of the Year
PD Concepts
Packaging & More

Vendor Representatives of the Year
Benjamin Greene, Ecolab
Ron Bernier, Rhode Island Distributing
David Muller, Sysco Boston

Volunteer of the Year
Dawn Arpin, Blum Shapiro
Jennifer Hogencamp, Blum Shapiro

Chef of the Year
Walter Slater, Trío
Richard Silva, White Horse Tavern

Mary Brennan Tourism Award
Lara Salamano, Commerce RI
Experience Rhode Island Tours

Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Letendre, Sysco Boston (Retired)

Media Partnership Award
Providence Journal Company

Woman of the Year
Ruth Ferrazzano, Murphy’s

Man of the Year
Thomas Regan, Christopher & Regan Insurance

Farm to Fork Excellence in Sustainability
Cook & Dagger
The Salted Slate
The Spiced Pear Restaurant

Hospitality Ambassador of the Year
Liz Tanner, Commerce RI
John C. Gregory, Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce

Hotel
Dwayne Julius, Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina
Juan Diaz, Hilton Providence
Roselia (Rosali) Ricca, Hilton Providence
Jack Albarout, Hotel Viking
Shirley Angelone, Hotel Viking
Joseph Downing, Hotel Viking
Riley Green, Omni Providence Hotel
Anthony Paul, Omni Providence Hotel
Lea Suarez-Jodi, Providence Biltmore Hotel
Hailey Sudikoff, Providence Biltmore Hotel
Daniela Ferrufino, Renaissance Providence Downtown
Emily Guerriero, Renaissance Providence Downtown
Liliana Teixeira, Renaissance Providence Downtown
Frank Agresti, The Hampton Inn and Suites Providence Warwick Airport
Laura Lieval, The Hampton Inn and Suites Providence Warwick Airport
Amarilcia Silva, The Hampton Inn and Suites Providence Warwick Airport
Anthony Pawlicki Francis, The Hilton Garden Inn Providence Airport/Warwick
Courtney McNeight, The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina

Restaurant
Ashley Bousquet, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
Rolando Morales, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
Barbara Casella, Gregg’s Restaurants & Taverns
Waynne Heywood, Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille
Jeff Shabo, Chow Fun Food Group
Kelly Donahue, Crave
Kenny Cronin, Gregg’s Restaurants and Taverns
Kristine Swanson, Gregg’s Restaurants and Taverns
Ty Martin, Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina
Jaymes Carr, Panera Bread
Malia Walker, Providence Marriott Downtown
Shanel Mendez, Providence Marriott Downtown
Sarah Toson, The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina
Mercedes Fragale, The Rooftop at the Providence G
Joshua Goldberg, The Rooftop at the Providence G
Kerri Gomes, Twin River Casino
Kimberly Graziano, Wicked Good Bar & Grill

Allied
Nicholas Barone, LAZ Ultimate Hospitality
Lucas McDonald, LAZ Ultimate Hospitality
Christopher Rapoza, Regency Plaza

Bartender
Sam Williams, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
Sean Coronado, Bluewater Restaurant & Wine Bar
Kerri Bernard Leroux, Kay’s Restaurant
Anthony Guastucci, Lighthouse Restaurant

Catering
Joel DaRosa, Providence Biltmore Hotel
Katherine Ross, The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina
Samantha Rzeznik, Twin River Event Center
Reinalda Gomez, VIP Lounge at Twin River Casino

Emerging Leader
Jared Chleb, Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille
Kyle Arnold, Crave
Sean Cohen, Crave
Joshua Delaney, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Ramm Quam, Omni Providence Hotel
Cassity Gilman, Omni Providence Hotel
Emily McGough, Omni Providence Hotel
Melissa Williams, Twin River Event Center
Daniel DiPierro, Twin River Casino

Tourism
Jenn Bailey, Discover Newport
Laura Schwartz, Greater Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
Kimberly Becker, Newport Marriott
John Rodman, The Preservation Society of Newport County
Dennis Vroom, Twin River Casino
Frank Martucci, Twin River Casino

Chairman's Award
Russell Morin Catering & Events

Education Partnership of the Year
Gracie’s
Uncle Tony’s Pizza & Pasta – East Providence

Student of the Year
Shane Cha, Exeter Job Corps Academy

Teacher of the Year
Donald Fair, Chariho Career & Technical Center

Education Ambassador of the Year
Lee Lewis, Junior Achievement of Rhode Island
Jules Olley, Point Judith Country Club