Columbia, Md.–Michael C. Gibbons, president of Mainstreet Ventures, Inc., has been elected as chairman of the board of directors of the National Restaurant Association for the upcoming term running mid September 2009 through December of 2010. Mr. Gibbons’ Mainstreet Ventures joined the Restaurant Association of Maryland this spring prior to opening his two newest restaurants, The Chop House and The Real Seafood Company and Sushi Bar, at the Annapolis Towne Centre.
“Here in Maryland we are proud to have Mainstreet Ventures as an active and engaged member of our Association. Having Mike Gibbons at the helm of the National Restaurant Association is a testament to all he does for our industry and all the communities in which he serves,” said Paul Hartgen, President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland. “His business acumen, skill as an operator and passion for this industry makes him an excellent choice to lead our important segment of the hospitality industry at this critical time.”
Mr. Gibbons is an owner and President of Ann Arbor based Mainstreet Ventures, Inc. an award winning restaurant company. Mainstreet is a privately owned company that operates 15 upscale eateries in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida and Maryland. He has served on the National Restaurant Association Board since 2000 as Treasurer and as Vice Chairmen, as well as chair of the Government Affairs, SAFE Committee and has served on various other committees in preparation for his upcoming leadership role. In 2007, Mr. Gibbons dedicated one month to serve as a Hennessy traveler on the inspection team, touring dining facilities in nominated U. S. Air Forces bases worldwide in their effort to earn the coveted John L. Hennessy trophy. Mainstreet Ventures is also engaged in the Restaurant Association of Maryland; District Manager, Brian Johnson, currently serves on the Board of Directors of the state association.
Gibbons will be inducted during an inaugural ceremony in Washington DC on September 13, 2009 and will chair his first board meeting the following day thus beginning his 16 month tenure with the national organization.
The Annual Industry Leadership Breakfast held each year in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage and Lodging EXPO will host the new Chairman of the National Restaurant Association at Phillips Seafood Restaurant in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on Thursday, October 8, 2009.
The National Restaurant Association is the second largest business organization in the United States and represents close to 1 million restaurants and food service groups and over 13.1 million people working within the industry. Based in Washington DC, the National Restaurant Association was founded in 1919 and is the country’s leading business association for the restaurant industry. “The National Restaurant Association and their state partners exist to help their members build customer loyalty, rewarding careers and have financial success,” explains Mr. Gibbons.
