The 2021 Schwebel Guest Lecture Series, an annual event benefiting the Hospitality Management program, will feature a panel speakers on Thursday, April 29th at 3:00 p.m in an engaging and lively virtual discussion.
Unlike past years, the 2021 Schwebel Guest Lecture Series is proud to host not just one, but four expert hospitality operators who have had a successful year, despite COVID-19. Donniella Winchell, Nate Giesen, Michael Guerriero, and Richard LaRocca will share their experiences in the field, give advice to current students in the program, and will have the opportunity to answer questions from faculty, students and attendees.
- Nate Giesen helped open the Thistledown Racino as a VLT Manager, and later led the transition from Caesars to JACK Entertainment, leading initiatives on guest service and team member satisfaction, and taking on the VIP Marketing department.
- Donniella Winchell has been the Executive Director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association for 30 years, and chair of their Vintage Ohio wine festival. Additionally, Doniella is an active member of Winegrape Growers of America, the Ohio Travel Association and serves on a number of other state and national committees. She has contributed to several national wine publications and writes weekly wine columns for a dozen Ohio print and online publications. She is an Adjunct Professor at Kent Ashtabula teaching wine related courses
- Michael Gurriero serves as the president of Digitell, Inc., and has served in a variety of roles over his 30-year career in the meeting and events industry. Guerriero is active in the hospitality industry and is a member of PCMA, MPI and IAEE and serves on the Kent State University Hospitality Management Advisory Board.
- Richard LaRocca began his career as a General Manager at Allegheny Country Club (ACC), one of the oldest clubs in the United States. In December 2019, LaRocca returned to Northeast Ohio and accepted the General Manager/COO position at the Beechmont Country Club. He is a member of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and has served as the president of two local chapters (greater Cleveland and Pittsburgh), and he is currently a member of the Greater Cleveland Chapter.
The Schwebel Baking Company of Youngstown supports the Kent State’s Hospitality Management program by funding the Schwebel Guest Lecture Series since 1993. Each year, the lecture brings in prominent professionals in the Hospitality Management field. Past speakers have included restaurant owners, hotel industry gurus and nationally-recognized chefs.
This event is free and open to the public.
RSVP for the Schwebel Guest Lecture