I support the hospitality program because of its impact over the years,” says Hall of Fame inductee Joe Fugere. “What I really love about the program is the combination of pragmatism, real-world application of experience, and scholastic aptitude wrapped into one. The SHBM leaders and the Carson College of Business administrators are great people with a soul. It really makes a difference.
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Anthony Anton (’91 Poli. Sci.) was inducted into the School of Hospitality Business Management’s Hall of Fame in 2022. He is president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, a member-based organization that works at the state and local level to find solutions to challenging issues facing the hospitality industry and workforce. As CEO, Anton has helped the association expand and launch initiatives to help the workforce succeed and focus on protecting and enhancing the hospitality business climate. He has been with the association for more than 20 years and draws on experience from being raised in a family with more than 70 years of hospitality experience in the state.
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Larry Culver (’64 H&RA), retired hotel owner, developer, and hotel management company president, began his career in food service. He realized if he wanted to grow professionally, he had to become a hotel manager. Choosing that path opened opportunities to develop his leadership potential and apply the skills he learned at WSU. His most transformational experiences evolved from learning how to launch and fund a new business. His distinguished career, contributions to industry, and service to WSU are among the reasons he was inducted into the School of Hospitality Business Management Hall of Fame.
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International businesswoman Jan Hazelton’s (’83) career began at the Westin Century Plaza Hotel in the management training program. Today she is an internationally seasoned hotel investment and development executive. Her number one tip for aspiring hospitality students: take risks!
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SHBM Hall of Fame recipient and hotelier Chris Burdett (’90) has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and franchise industries. He advises hospitality students to “be prepared to think about what it takes to own, operate, build, sell, invest, and manage whatever it is in this industry that you might find interesting—from franchise sales of national hotel brands to the attorneys who specialize in contract negotiations. There are thousands of opportunities in our industry around the world. My dad told me that if I could work in a restaurant, I could go anywhere and live anywhere, and frankly, he was more than right. He sparked an interest in an industry that really can take you anywhere.”
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