MLRA, Michigan Hospitality Foundation Add New Board Members

The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MLRA) and Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF) named six new members of the MRLA board of directors and two new members of the MHF board of trustees.
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The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MLRA) and Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF) named six new members of the MRLA board of directors and two new members of the MHF board of trustees.

The new MRLA board members are Justin Dalenberg of Grand River Brewery in Jackson, Jennifer Julien of Braveworks in Houghton, Ann Kelly of Lodgco Hospitality in Grand Rapids, Grace Keros of American Coney Island in Detroit, Lisa Plonka of Plante Moran in Clinton Township, and Anthony Tomey of Tomey Group in Farmington Hills.

The new MHF trustee members are Martha Zehnder Kaczynski of the Bavarian Inn Restaurant & Lodge in Frankenmuth and Jennifer King of Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville.

“As highly experienced leaders in Michigan’s hospitality industry, these talented individuals will bring a new energy and exciting range of skills to the MRLA board of directors,” says Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the MLRA. “From sub sandwiches to tax strategies, boutique hotels to beloved coney dogs, happy hour to hotel management, Houghton to Macomb, their diversified knowledge of Michigan’s hospitality industry and ability to navigate its complexities will help drive strategic growth and success for our association and the hospitality industry overall.”

Justin Dalenberg
Justin Dalenberg

Dalenberg is the owner and operator of Grand River Brewery, Bakery, and Commissary Kitchen, which has six different locations. He is also the owner of two Doll n Burger’s locations, Manchester Meat Company, three grocery stores, and two other restaurants.

With more than 28 years of industry experience, Dalenberg has become skilled in cultural leadership development, financial planning systems management, and business planning. He enjoys spending time with his wife Roberta and their four children – along with their two dogs, a calico cat, and Gypsy, their Tennessee walking horse.

Jennifer Julien
Jennifer Julien

Julien is an engineer turned real estate owner and hotelier from the Upper Peninsula. With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in environmental from Michigan Tech. She left her engineering career to pursue opportunities in real estate with her husband John. They also became involved in the hospitality industry. Now they own and operate businesses in downtown Houghton, including the Hampton Inn & Suites and Observatory Lounge, Citrus Salon, Braveworks, LJJ Construction, The Elements, and Juliens Properties.

Their latest venture, The Vault Hotel, was the renovation of the historic Houghton National Bank Building and recently made the Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 15 Hotels in the Midwest. She is the mother of two daughters.

Martha Zehnder Kaczynski
Martha Zehnder Kaczynski

Kaczynski started working at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Lodge when she was 10 years old. Now the vice president of that same restaurant, Kaczynski also works as the president and owner of the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus, assists management at two retail stores, Frank’s Muth and the Covered Bridge Shop, and serves on the board of directors and the management team for Bavarian Inn Inc, with oversight responsibilities for all operations.

She also serves on the boards of several local organizations, and she currently lives in Frankenmuth with her husband and son.

Ann Kelly
Ann Kelly

Kelly is the CEO at Lodgco Hospitality, a Michigan-based hotel management company operating businesses across the state, as well as several in California and Florida. In the 24 years she’s worked with Lodgco Hospitality, she helped the company through many phases of growth and acquisition.

As CEO, Kelly has helped achieve long-term financial success. A graduate of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, with an MBA from Northwood University in Midland, Kelly has worked on issues affecting women and children. She serves on the board of directors for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

Grace Keros
Grace Keros

 

Keros is a third-generation co-owner of Detroit’s American Coney Island restaurant, which was founded in 1917 by Greek immigrant Gus Keros.

Keros took over the family business in 1990 and grew American Coney Island from a single-store operation to what is now a nationwide distribution company with multiple restaurants. Keros grew up in Okemos and currently resides in West Bloomfield Township.

 

Jennifer King
Jennifer King

King began working in the hospitality industry at age 14 working in a local ice cream parlor. She has worked for many Michigan hotels, including Mission Point Resort and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. King worked her way up from her first job as a front desk clerk to her current role as the senior vice president of human resources at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. King lives in northern Michigan with her husband, family, and three rescue dogs.

 

Lisa Plonka
Lisa Plonka

Plonka is a partner with 25 years of experience with Plante Moran, where she helped advised restaurants, hospitality, and franchise clients. As the leader of the firm’s consumer goods and services practice, she has experience in consultation, offering her clients strategies for growth as well as guidance on financial reporting.

Plonka is also a member of the International Franchise Association, the AICPA, and the MICPA. She received her accounting degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

Anthony Tomey
Anthony Tomey

Tomey was a minor league pitcher with a Detroit Tigers affiliate before joining his family’s hospitality business. He is now the CEO of The Tomey Group, working with his father, uncle, brother, sister, and brother-in-law, leading more than 650 employees, and operating 45 Jimmy John’s locations across Michigan.

Tomey also co-founded the Born in Detroit apparel brand and 8 Mile Vodka, which has won international awards and scored partnerships with the Detroit Pistons, Meijer, and MDen Detroit.

Founded in 1921, the MRLA, the Association represents more than 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays a role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales.