ARTICLE
Veteran hospitality leader and educator brings extensive industry experience and passion for workforce development to lead foundation's mission MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Restaurant Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael K. Tsuchihashi as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Tsuchihashi brings over two decades of leadership experience across all sectors of the hospitality industry, combined with a demonstrated commitment to education and workforce development. "We are thrilled to welcome Michael to lead our Education Foundation," said Kristine Hillmer, President & CEO of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. "His unique combination of operational expertise, entrepreneurial success and educational background makes him ideally suited to advance the WRA Education Foundation’s mission of promoting foodservice as a professional career path, attracting and educating future leaders of the industry and providing affordable, quality training and education for those already working in the industry." Tsuchihashi's career spans the full spectrum of hospitality operations, from an independent local restaurant to fine dining establishments to a large-scale casino operation. Most recently, he served as a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Greendale High School and previously at Waterford Union High School, where he taught culinary arts courses and led student teams in Wisconsin ProStart® competitions. His extensive leadership background includes serving as Director of Food & Beverage at Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, where he developed and oversaw all of the casino’s restaurant operations with a team of over 600 associates. During his tenure, he led the team at Dream Dance Steak to achieve four diamonds from AAA, the DiRONA award and the Wine Enthusiast Award of Ultimate Distinction. Prior to his transition into education, Tsuchihashi owned and operated Atlas BBQ in Grafton, Wisconsin for a decade. Tsuchihashi holds a Master of Science in Education and Certificate in Instructional Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Food Service Management and Associate of Science in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University, where he was recognized with the National Restaurant Association's Salute to Excellence award. "I'm honored to have the opportunity to lead the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation at such a critical time for our industry," said Tsuchihashi. “Whether it’s helping high school students discover their passion for hospitality through the ProStart program, awarding scholarships to students pursuing a culinary/hospitality degree, providing ServSafe certification trainings for current employees or developing workforce partnerships, the Foundation offers essential programs to meet the needs of our evolving and exciting industry. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place and working with our partners to create even greater opportunities for students and industry professionals across Wisconsin." In his new role, Tsuchihashi will oversee the foundation's key programs including Wisconsin ProStart, ServSafe training and scholarships. He will also lead fundraising efforts, manage board governance and build strategic partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies and industry stakeholders to address workforce challenges and improve career pathways in the hospitality sector. About the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation The WRA Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1987 and is one of the nation’s largest state restaurant association foundations. The Foundation serves foodservice operators throughout Wisconsin in its mission to promote foodservice as a professional career path, attract and educate future leaders of the industry and provide affordable, quality training and education for those already working in the industry. It has no dues-paying members and is fully funded through donations, grants, underwriting of programs and program revenue. The Foundation supports the foodservice industry through impactful programs, including: Scholarships: Annually awarding more than $25,000 to students pursuing degrees in hospitality, culinary arts, or related fields Wisconsin ProStart: An innovative program in over 115 Wisconsin high schools that inspires and empowers more than 10,000 students each year through training, mentorship, competitions and hands-on learning opportunities Workforce Development: Partnering with local programs to prepare adults for successful careers in the foodservice industry About the Wisconsin Restaurant Association In existence since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to supporting the foodservice industry. WRA membership includes thousands of foodservice businesses representing virtually every size and style of establishment in the state. Restaurateur members include fine dining establishments, mom-and-pop supper clubs, small cafes, quickservice outlets, corporate chain restaurants, institutional foodservice operations, catering businesses and hotel and motel foodservices, to name a few. In addition to restaurateur and foodservice operators, WRA has hundreds of supplier associate members that provide goods and services to the restaurant industry. - END - Since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has been dedicated to the success of the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Veteran hospitality leader and educator brings extensive industry experience and passion for workforce development to lead foundation's mission
MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Restaurant Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael K. Tsuchihashi as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Tsuchihashi brings over two decades of leadership experience across all sectors of the hospitality industry, combined with a demonstrated commitment to education and workforce development.
"We are thrilled to welcome Michael to lead our Education Foundation," said Kristine Hillmer, President & CEO of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. "His unique combination of operational expertise, entrepreneurial success and educational background makes him ideally suited to advance the WRA Education Foundation’s mission of promoting foodservice as a professional career path, attracting and educating future leaders of the industry and providing affordable, quality training and education for those already working in the industry."
Tsuchihashi's career spans the full spectrum of hospitality operations, from an independent local restaurant to fine dining establishments to a large-scale casino operation. Most recently, he served as a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Greendale High School and previously at Waterford Union High School, where he taught culinary arts courses and led student teams in Wisconsin ProStart® competitions.
His extensive leadership background includes serving as Director of Food & Beverage at Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, where he developed and oversaw all of the casino’s restaurant operations with a team of over 600 associates. During his tenure, he led the team at Dream Dance Steak to achieve four diamonds from AAA, the DiRONA award and the Wine Enthusiast Award of Ultimate Distinction. Prior to his transition into education, Tsuchihashi owned and operated Atlas BBQ in Grafton, Wisconsin for a decade.
Tsuchihashi holds a Master of Science in Education and Certificate in Instructional Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Food Service Management and Associate of Science in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University, where he was recognized with the National Restaurant Association's Salute to Excellence award.
"I'm honored to have the opportunity to lead the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation at such a critical time for our industry," said Tsuchihashi. “Whether it’s helping high school students discover their passion for hospitality through the ProStart program, awarding scholarships to students pursuing a culinary/hospitality degree, providing ServSafe certification trainings for current employees or developing workforce partnerships, the Foundation offers essential programs to meet the needs of our evolving and exciting industry. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place and working with our partners to create even greater opportunities for students and industry professionals across Wisconsin."
In his new role, Tsuchihashi will oversee the foundation's key programs including Wisconsin ProStart, ServSafe training and scholarships. He will also lead fundraising efforts, manage board governance and build strategic partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies and industry stakeholders to address workforce challenges and improve career pathways in the hospitality sector.
About the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation The WRA Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1987 and is one of the nation’s largest state restaurant association foundations. The Foundation serves foodservice operators throughout Wisconsin in its mission to promote foodservice as a professional career path, attract and educate future leaders of the industry and provide affordable, quality training and education for those already working in the industry. It has no dues-paying members and is fully funded through donations, grants, underwriting of programs and program revenue. The Foundation supports the foodservice industry through impactful programs, including:
About the Wisconsin Restaurant Association In existence since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to supporting the foodservice industry. WRA membership includes thousands of foodservice businesses representing virtually every size and style of establishment in the state. Restaurateur members include fine dining establishments, mom-and-pop supper clubs, small cafes, quickservice outlets, corporate chain restaurants, institutional foodservice operations, catering businesses and hotel and motel foodservices, to name a few. In addition to restaurateur and foodservice operators, WRA has hundreds of supplier associate members that provide goods and services to the restaurant industry.
- END -
Since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has been dedicated to the success of the foodservice and hospitality industry.