2019 Award Winners

Pinnacle Award

Dawn Sweeney, National Restaurant Association

RI Hospitality Association Chairman's Award

Kimberly Greene, Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel

President's Award

Robert P. Books, Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Christine Kitsilis, Angelo's Palace Pizza
Frank T. Galleshaw III, Wright's Farm Restaurant

Hotelier of the Year

Farouk Rajab, Providence Marriott Downtown

Restaurateur of the Year

Floyd Crisp, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Brewery of the Year

Apponaug Brewing Company

Vendor of the Year

OceanPoint Insurance Agency

Vendor Representatives of the Year

Anthony Melillo, Performance Food Group
Tony Pavlakis, Sysco Boston

Volunteer of the Year

Lynnette Martinez, blumshapiro

Hotel Chefs of the Year

Garrett St. Amand, Newport Marriott
Matt Voskuil, Ocean House

Restaurant Chef of the Year

Nathaniel Williams, Siena Restaurant Group

Mary Brennan Tourism Award

Tom Riel, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau

Media Partner of the Year

The Rhode Show led by Ashley Erling

Women of the Year

Ellen Slattery, Gracie's Ventures
Tina Tomaselli, T's Restaurant Group

Man of the Year

Bill Kitsilis, Angelo's Palace Pizza and Antonio's Pizza by the Slice

Hospitality Ambassadors of the Year

The Honorable Frank Lombardi, Rhode Island Senate
Kelly MacArthur Coates, Carpionato Group

Boss of the Year

Scott Williams, Graduate Providence

Culture of Community Award

The Avenue Concepte
Scott Connery, Skyline at Waterplace

National Restaurant Association Restaurant Neighbor Award

T's Restaurant Group

Employees of the Year

Allied

Arthur Pierce, Ecolab
Michael Bradshaw, Kirkbrae Country Club
Victor Cabrera, The Regency Plaza

Catering

Kate Heemsoth, Hotel Providence
Alexis Radkovich, McGrath Clambakes & Catering
Robert Rodrigues, McGrath Clambakes & Caterin
Bruce Browning, Newport Marriott
Gina Nadeau, Pranzi Catering & Events
Linda Ranucci Mcweeney, Pranzi Catering & Events

Emerging Leaders of the Year

Kim Dwyer, Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant
Tanner Larkin, Chomp Kitchen and Drinks
Rebecca Miller, G Hospitality
Alex Padova, G Hospitality
Jessica Ruggiero, Gordon Foods Service
Alan Freudeman, Gracie’s Ventures
Leah Massiwer, Graduate Providence
Melanie Dulude, Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina
Ella Gonzalez, Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina
Tyler Bernadyn, Midtown Oyster Bar
Louis Ferrazzano, Murphy’s Providence
Mariana Gonzalez-Trasvina, Newport Restaurant Group - Bar Cino
Kerrie Philbin, O’Brien's Pub
Renée Wetterland, Omni Providence Hotel
Casey Dotson, Providence Marriott Downtown
Sarah R. Bratko, Esq., RI Hospitality Association
Hector Melendez, The Dean Hotel

Hotel

Thomas Downing, Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick (Airport)
Ingrid Lopez, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Providence Airport Warwick
Karen Roberts, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Providence Airport Warwick
Russell Faria, Graduate Providence
Crystal Papino, Graduate Providence
Diane DiFazio, Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina
Kristen Carcieri, Hilton Providence
Cristina Perez, Hilton Providence
Hannah O'Toole, Homewood Suites by Hilton Providence Downtown
Mikey Hicks, Newport Marriott
Leandro Augusto, Radisson Hotel Warwick
Olga Agudelo, Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel
Cruz Gonzalez, Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel
Wilma Barile, Twin River and Tiverton Casino Hotels
Angela Lehmann, Hilton Garden Inn
Marie Ziesemer, Newport Marriott
Eduardo Espinal, Omni Providence Hotel
Carlota Lopes, Omni Providence Hotel
Franklin Payano, Providence Marriott Downtown
Thomas Gallagher, Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel
Olivia Petronio, The Dean Hotel
Madalyn Wade, The Dean Hotel

Restaurant

Danielle Bedard, Angelo's Palace Pizza
Cesar Cruz, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
Aracelis Martinez, Blackie’s
Sarah Doolan, DeQuattro Restaurant Group
Amani El-Machiah, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Nate Colton, Newport Restaurant Group - Waterman Grille
Christopher Cruz, Providence Gpub
Iris Ferguson, Providence Marriott Downtown
Alicia Anguiano Bravo, Siena Restuarant
Siena Piccone, Siena Restaurant
Fannie Peralta, Trattoria Romana - Tiverton Casino Hotel
Otilia Gomes, Twin River Casino Hotel
Ana Silva, Twin River Casino Hotel

Tourism

Kerri Furtado, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tracy Barreno, Roger Williams Park Zoo
Matt Fugate, Roger Williams Park Zoo
Kenny Sanabria, Roger Williams Park Zoo
Harold Mathews, The Preservation Society of Newport County
Heidi Mello, The Preservation Society of Newport County
Mackenzie Monteiro, Tiverton Casino Hotel
Julie Proccacini, Twin River Casino Hotel
Paul Silva, Twin River Casino Hotel

RI Hospitality Education Foundation Award Winners

RI Hospitality Education Foundation Chairman's Award

Gordon Food Service

Teachers of the Year

Hospitality & Tourism Management Teacher of the Year - Christine Audette, Woonsocket Area Career & Technical Center
ProStart Teacher of the Year - Marie-Claire McKillip, East Providence Area Career and Technical Center

Education Partnership of the Year

Radisson Hotel Warwick

Education Ambassadors of the Year

Natalie S. Lopes, City of Providence - Office of Economic Opportunity
Nicole Mattiello, Pranzi Catering & Events
Laureen Grebien, Gregg's Restaurants & Taverns

Students of the Year

Hospitality & Tourism Management Student of the Year - Nicole K. Carnevale, Chariho Career Technical Center
ProStart Student of the Year - Nayelie Viera, East Providence Area Career and Technical Center