The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the unifying voice of North Carolina’s restaurant, foodservice and lodging industry, proudly hosted its annual Stars of the Industry Awards last night. Held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, the event celebrated 17 outstanding individuals and organizations across 10 categories for their exemplary contributions to the hospitality sector.
“We are thrilled to honor the incredible talent, resilience and innovation of North Carolina’s hospitality professionals,” said Lynn Minges, president and CEO of NCRLA. “This amazing group of individuals and organizations consistently go above and beyond to drive our industry forward, even in the face of challenges.”
Among the honorees were Sen. Michael Lazzara and Rep. Mitchell Setzer, who were named Hospitality Champions for their unwavering leadership and advocacy for the industry. Additionally, several awards highlighted individuals’ outstanding service to the community and NCRLA:
Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community: Melanie Johnston of Tryon Distributing was recognized for her steadfast support of local communities, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Johnston and Tryon Distributing’s efforts included distributing essential supplies to storm victims and donating proceeds from the Charity Golf Classic to the North Carolina Hospitality Worker Relief Fund.
Griff and June Glover Award for Service to NCRLA: Burney Jennings, executive chairman of Biscuitville, was honored for his pivotal role in advancing workforce recruitment initiatives, including NCRLA’s $5 million Serving Careers marketing campaign and the $1.1 million Worker Training Program.
Hospitality Supplier of the Year: Alsco Uniforms’ General Manager Chris Strickland has been a longstanding partner of NCRLA, providing essential support through donated linens and services for signature events. After Hurricane Helene, Strickland and Alsco stepped up without hesitation, coordinating emergency laundry services for storm-impacted hotels to accommodate relief workers.
2025 Stars of the Industry Honorees:
Restaurateur of the Year
Matt Kelly, MK Hospitality, Durham
Lodging Operators of the Year
Daniel Lotz, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, Durham
Pete Byers, Summit Hospitality Group
Restaurant Managers of the Year
Bruce Conyers, Biscuitville, Greensboro
Boone Hollar, Parks Hospitality Group, Asheville
Ruben Gonzalez, Tar Heel Capital (Wendy’s), Shelby
Restaurant Employees of the Year
Serena Ortiz, Grandover Resort, Greensboro
Edgar Aguilar, Charlotte Marriott SouthPark, Charlotte
Lodging Managers of the Year
Mijan Sarwar, Sheraton Four Seasons, Greensboro
Bernadette Atwater, Courtyard by Marriott, Cary
Lodging Employees of the Year
Mehdi Boujoud, The Umstead Hotel & Spa, Cary
Ofeliya Gadzhiyeva, The Ballantyne Hotel, Charlotte
The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the unifying voice of North Carolina’s restaurant, foodservice and lodging industry, proudly hosted its annual Stars of the Industry Awards last night. Held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, the event celebrated 17 outstanding individuals and organizations across 10 categories for their exemplary contributions to the hospitality sector.
