MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Incoming Board Chair takes reins
Greetings to all-DiRoNA award recipients, sponsors and partners, industry and media representatives, and discriminating diners across North America!
On behalf of our Board of Directors, and as the incoming Board Chair, I am pleased to take the reins of this outstanding organization of distinguished restaurants. For more than 20 years, DiRoNA has provided consumers and industry professionals with the means to recognize and to patronize the "best of the best"-restaurants that have passed a rigorous independent inspection and that exemplify the finest attributes and experiences in the dining industry.
For those of you whom I haven't yet met, I was raised in the restaurant business. As many of you know, I am the owner of DiSalvo's Station Restaurant, a 350-seat dining and entertainment complex housed in a 1903 Latrobe, Pennsylvania historic landmark. Some years ago, I had the privilege of serving as president of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, and I learned a great deal about our industry in that role. My involvement in DiRoNA began nearly ten years ago, with the 2003 Annual Conference in Montreal. I've attended every conference since then, and during the intervening years, I've participated at a variety of levels, serving on and leading DiRoNA committees. I like to think of myself as the ultimate "team player"-for three years, I've served as your First Vice-Chair, giving me a unique opportunity to observe the dynamics of the organization. I am deeply honored to be your Chair for the next two years, and will do my utmost to see that we succeed in our mission of serving as the authority for recognizing and promoting excellence in dining.
As we build on past successes, plan new initiatives, increase our visibility and establish greater value for those who participate in the DiRoNA experience, we must be innovative, timely, and committed to the best our industry has to offer. Help me help you! We have work to do-and I can't do it without your participation.
