The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) has named three new directors to its state-wide board: C. Ronald Dufina of Mackinac Island, Barrie Borovsky of Detroit and Craig Bickley of Birmingham.
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“I feel honored to be elected to the Michigan Restaurant Association Board of Directors,” said Dufina, founder and President of Balsam Shops, Inc.; Mackinac Island Hospitality, Inc.; HRD, Inc.; and Island Leasing, Inc. “The variety of hospitality businesses I operate has given me the opportunity to understand many aspects of the hospitality industry as a whole. I welcome the opportunity to share my experience as a Michigan Restaurant Association board member.”
Dufina oversees the direct day-to-day operations and legal activities for some of Mackinac Island’s most popular establishments including eight souvenir and fine gift shops, a hotel, restaurant and lounge and a fast food restaurant. He resides on Mackinac Island and has been a board member for The North Country Bank and Trust and the Mackinac Island Chamber of Commerce.
“I am eager to share my experience in the hospitality industry with the Michigan Restaurant Association Board of Directors,” said Borovsky, Vice President of Food and Beverage and Property Administration at the MGM Grand in Detroit. “My experience in big-city hotel and gaming operations has afforded me a unique perspective. I understand how things need to get done in major metropolitan markets.”
Borovsky joined the Hyatt Hotels and Resorts Corporation out of college and earned a position as restaurant manager on the opening team of the 360-acre Hyatt Regency Waikoloa Resort in Hawaii. Barrie was promoted to positions that took him to San Antonio and Austin, Texas, until he was recruited by the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. After being promoted to Assistant Vice President of Food and Beverage, he had the opportunity to research and plan the opening of the MGM Grand in Detroit where he is now Vice President of Food and Beverage and Property Administration. He now manages 950 staff members at the MGM Grand and lives in Detroit.
“I am proud to be joining the Michigan Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors,” said Bickley, Chief Operating Officer of Computer Decisions International (CDI). “My experience in sales and technology adds a unique perspective to my understanding of the hospitality business.”
CDI provides computer systems, software and services to the hospitality industry. Bickley gained four years experience in computer and software sales at Burroughs (Unisys) and another four at MAI/Basic Four. Bickley was Vice President of System Analysis Company (software) for two years and was President of Bickley and Associates (software) for four years. He sold Bickley & Associates to MAI Systems in 1989 and bought American Business Systems, which was renamed Marketplace Solutions. Marketplace Solutions recently merged with CDI.
“The MRA is proud to welcome our new board members,” said Rob Gifford, the association’s Executive Director. “With experience ranging from the gaming industry to the hospitality industry, these new directors have a lot to bring to the table.”
Founded in 1921, the Michigan Restaurant Association represents more than 3,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The foodservice industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 300,000 people and creating $10.6 billion in annual sales.
