NYS Restaurant Association Announces New Officers for 2012

Leadership Team Reflects Diversity of New York State Restaurateurs

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NYSRA Chairman Colleen Holmes, Co-owner of WOW Restaurants, Inc. in Saratoga Springs

ALBANY, NY (04/24/2012)(readMedia)-- The New York State Restaurant Association ("NYSRA") announced today that its Members have selected three officers to lead the 76-year old hospitality association during 2012.

Colleen Holmes, co-owner of WOW Restaurants, Inc. in Saratoga Springs was elected Chairman; Dan Garvey, Director of Food and Beverage for the Roycroft Inn in East Aurora was elected Vice Chairman and Anthony Dell'Orto, owner of Manganaro's Hero Boy Restaurant on the West Side of Manhattan was elected Treasurer.

"These three highly-competent restaurateurs reflect the new level of professionalism and energy that are the signature qualities of New York's evolving restaurant scene today and the reason New York is considered the world leader in hospitality," said Rick Sampson, NYSRA President and CEO.

Colleen Holmes is a 20-year veteran of the food and beverage industry. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree from Michigan State University, Colleen joined industry leader Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) of Chicago. With LEYE, Colleen rose through the ranks to the position of General Manager where she oversaw several of Chicago's finest restaurants. Colleen has been responsible for all aspects of operations, having a wide range of experience from fine dining to quick-casual themed restaurants and banquet/catering facilities. Leading and motivating 150 employees and training one-on-one are among her specialties. In 2001, Colleen and her husband Tim Holmes, created Restaurant Consulting Partners, LLC. Since then, they took over ownership and expanded the famed Wheatfields Restaurant in Saratoga Springs and in 2009 opened Wheatfields Bistro in Clifton Park.

Dan Garvey is the Director of Food and Beverage for the Roycroft Inn, a meticulously-restored craft guild movement luxury hotel in East Aurora, New York that attracts guests from around the world. In this capacity, he has built the Roycroft's loyal following through innovative offerings and marketing programs. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Hospitality at Erie Community College where he teaches courses on Beer, Wine and Spirits; Hospitality Management; Catering and Banquet Management; and Hospitality Operations. Prior to joining the Roycroft, he was the founding partner and general manager for Garvey's Restaurant in Buffalo, New York for a decade. Dan is very active in community affairs and has served as Chairman of the East Aurora Chamber of Commerce, the President's Advisory Council at Erie Community College and as a Board Member of the Mercy Hospital Foundation, among others. He is also a prolific fundraiser for various area foundations and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Canisius College in 1984.

Anthony Dell'Orto was born into a family that has been in the restaurant business since 1890. One hundred and twenty years later, Manganaro's Hero Boy Restaurant it is still a family owned and operated business located in the historic Hell's kitchen neighborhood on the West Side of Manhattan. Anthony has worked in the family business his entire career and is proud to be leading it into the future. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Manhattan College where he graduated in 1984. He lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York with his wife and two children.

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Contact: Rick Sampson, 518-452-4222

The New York State Restaurant Association, founded in 1935, is the leading business association for the restaurant and hospitality industry in New York State. Comprised of more than 56,000 restaurants, bars, clubs, New York restaurants represent more than 628,000 employees and sales of approximately $27 billion - making it the cornerstone of the economy, career opportunities and community involvement. Along with the New York State Restaurant Association and New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, NYSRA and its chapters work to represent, educate and promote the rapidly growing hospitality industry. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.nysra.org/.