The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) has announced the appointment of three new board members: David Jurcak, Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island; Claude Molinari, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Robert Song, Maru Hospitality Group. Each new member brings a unique perspective and desire to lead the organization and support its mission.
“As highly respected leaders in our industry, David, Claude, and Robert will bring a broad range of skills and experiences to the MRLA Board of Directors,” says Justin Winslow, president and CEO of MRLA. “Their deep knowledge of the hospitality industry and ability to understand and navigate its complexities will help drive strategic growth and success for our association. We look forward to working with each of them.”
Jurcak is president of Mackinac’s Grand Hotel, having been with Grand Hotel since September 2021. Working in the hospitality industry for more than 32 years, Jurcak started his career as a front desk agent. Over time, he has worked in many cities and has overseen hotels in nearly every vertical in the industry, also having spent 24 years of his career with Omni Hotels & Resorts. He currently resides on Mackinac Island.
Prior to joining Davidson Hospitality and Grand Hotel, Jurcak was the vice president of operations for Aimbridge Hospitality, the world’s largest third-party management company with management of more than 1,600 hotels. He has also been engaged in local and industry organizations throughout his career. He has served on boards and in leadership roles for local chambers of commerce, economic development and tourism associations.
Molinari has been president and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (DBA Visit Detroit) since 2021. In this role, Molinari is responsible for overseeing the operations of Visit Detroit and developing its strategic direction. In addition to overseeing the direction of Visit Detroit, Molinari also oversees the Detroit Sports Commission (a subsidiary of Visit Detroit), which is responsible for securing amateur sports for the region and bringing in regional, national, and international sporting events. He currently resides in Northville.
Molinari came to Visit Detroit from Huntington Place (also previously known as TCF Center), the 16th largest convention center in North America. Molinari serves as the chairman of the board of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) appointed by the governor of Michigan. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors for The Parade Company, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the Engineering Society of Detroit, Destinations International, the US Travel Association, and as a director at large for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).
Song, a native of Chicago, studied dietetics at Michigan State University. He started Maru Hospitality Group in 2008, which currently operates six Maru Sushi & Grill locations throughout Michigan. Song left his to become a sushi chef and restaurant manager. Song also serves as the master franchisee of Gong cha Michigan. He currently resides in Okemos.
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