Northwood University Michigan is pleased to announce highlights of its Hospitality Management program’s 40th Annual Stafford Dinner. William A. Parlberg will serve as keynote speaker, Kadenza Music’s Brendan, Roland, Peter and David will serve as musical entertainment, and Jerry O’Donnell will serve as live auctioneer.The event will be held Saturday, February 21st, 2015 at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth. The reception will begin at 5:00pm and dinner will be served at 6:00pm. For additional information and to make reservations, please contact Dr. Julie Tkach at (989) 837-4366 or visit: https://www.northwood.edu/stafford/. Seats are limited this year, and walk-in sales will not be available.
A 1979 undergraduate of Northwood University Michigan, Parlberg went on to earn his Master of Business Administration degree from the University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management in 2000. The current President and Chief Operating Officer of Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, one of Michigan’s top family tourist destinations and America’s largest independent family restaurant, he was appointed by Governor Synder to serve as a Michigan Travel Commissioner in 2013. Parlberg has also served as a past President of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Chair of the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce in 2010, and Michigan Chamber of Commerce past Chairperson board member.
Versatile musicians who take pride in their ability to cover jazz, pop, and classical genres, the Kadenza Music band will entertain guests throughout the evening. Also known as “The Voice of Dow Diamond,” O’Donnell serves as the General Manager of ESPN 100.9-FM, and helps oversee all aspects of the station.
The Northwood University Stafford Dinner honors its Hospitality Management department founder William D. Stafford. With 2015 celebrating its 40th anniversary, the annual fundraiser continues the tradition of being planned and executed by the department’s student executive board. Providing students an outlet to proudly showcase to alumni, friends, family, industry members, and others, their skills and professionalism acquired during their time at Northwood University, proceeds support the Northwood University Stafford Memorial Dinner Scholarship Fund which directly benefits hospitality student educational funding.
