Oregon Hospitality Leaders Honored With Statewide Awards

Oregon Hospitality Leaders Honored With Statewide Awards
Restaurateur and Hotelier of the Year Named by Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association
 
[August 30, 2017 - Wilsonville, OR] – Four members of Oregon’s foodservice and lodging industry have been selected for the statewide 2017 Hospitality Industry Awards as announced by Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA). Ralph Matt (Best Little Roadhouse, Salem) was named Restaurateur of the Year; Pat McShane (InnSight Hotel Management Group, Springfield) was named Lodging Operator of the Year; Heather Tincher-Overholser (Overleaf Lodge, Yachats) was named Employee of the Year, and McDonald Wholesale Company was named Allied Member of the Year.
 
The recipients of these awards will be recognized among their peers and over 300 delegates of ORLA’s Convention during the Hospitality Industry Awards Dinner on October 8, 2017, at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes in Bend, Oregon.
 
“Oregon’s hospitality industry is teeming with individuals who contribute significantly to the health of the trade,” says Jason Brandt, president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “These winners represent not only some of our industry’s most dedicated leaders and advocates, but also the exemplary service that sets the high standard for the entire industry to achieve.”
 
Restaurateur of the Year: Ask any of his colleagues, and they’d say Ralph Matt is the quintessential “tireless restaurant operator.” Ralph encompasses the characteristics of a true leader, always showing integrity, genuine care and support of his staff, and continually inspiring them to become successful at what they do. He’s spent his entire career in the restaurant industry, and in 2003 Ralph started his own venture, Best Little Roadhouse. A dedicated advocate for the industry, Ralph served on the ORLA Board of Directors 2010-2016 (as Chair in 2014-15), chaired the Policy Committee, and currently serves as Chair for ORLA’s Education Foundation.

Lodging Operator of the Year: With more than 30 years’ experience in the lodging industry and numerous awards in his portfolio, Pat McShane has certainly demonstrated exceptional leadership and distinguished himself as a successful lodging operator. In 1993, he partnered with Richard Boyles to form InnSight Hotel Management Group, an organization employing more than 500 people in the Pacific Northwest. He’s a servant leader who sincerely cares about his team, always inspiring them to perform at their very best. 

Employee of the Year: As Front-of-the-House Manager at one of the top destination resorts in Oregon, Heather Tincher-Overholser goes above and beyond her expected job responsibilities by demonstrating exemplary professionalism and service. She is respected and adored by staff and guests, always making extra efforts to enhance their experiences. One of the first Certified Guest Service Professional® certified employees in Oregon, Heather continues to demonstrate her leadership by tutoring fellow staff and helping expand the training program within her properties as well as regionally among other organizations. 
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Allied Member of the Year: McDonald Wholesale Company has proven to be an enthusiastic partner of the association, supporting our industry members through community-building activities, sponsorships, and continually providing excellent service. In addition to being a long-time sponsor and Allied member of the association, McDonald Wholesale hosts industry training classes instructed by association representatives. 
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For more information on the Hospitality Industry Awards, visit OregonRLA.org/Awards or ORLA’s Convention, visit OregonRLA.org/Convention or call 800.462.0619. For press inquiries regarding the Hospitality Industry Awards, please contact Lori Little, director of communications, at 503.682.4422.

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The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is the leading business association for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon, which is comprised of over 9,000 foodservice locations and 2,200 lodging establishments with a workforce of 164,800, and a total economic impact of $8 billion - making it the cornerstone of the economy, career opportunities and community involvement. The association works to advocate, protect, train and promote the foodservice and lodging industry.