October 29, 2002; AUSTIN, TX — Raymond Schmidgall, Ph.D., CPA, CHAE and Frank Wolfe, CAE, were presented the prestigious Paragon Award as part of the inaugural ceremonies for Hospitality Financial and Technology Professional’s (HFTP(r)) 2002 Annual Convention & Tradeshow in Austin, Texas. The two individuals were recognized for their significant and lasting contributions to both HFTP and the hospitality industry. The award presentation marked the beginning of a four-day event celebrating HFTP’s 50th anniversary and signified the important role individuals have played in support of the association’s development and continuance.
The award presentation to Wolfe, HFTP’s executive vice president and CEO, was an added surprise. Although Schmidgall knew he was being honored, the Paragon Award Selection Committee had kept Wolfe’s honor a secret until the ceremony. Wolfe was truly surprised and excited about receiving the award and thanked the HFTP staff for the recent successes of the association.
The Paragon Award is an annual award that honors individuals, selected by a panel of their peers, who selflessly contribute their time and energy to further the goals of both HFTP and the industry.
Schmidgall is the Hilton Hotels Professor of Hospitality Management at the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. He is a prolific writer and is currently the project coordinator for the upcoming 6th Revised Edition of the Uniform System of Financial Reporting for Clubs, sponsored by HFTP and the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA). He also co-wrote the HFTP-sponsored textbook Accounting for Club Operations, helped create the review material for HFTP’s CHAE designation, including the text Hospitality Industry Managerial Accounting, and is a regular contributor to HFTP’s journal, The Bottomline. Schmidgall is a member of HFTP’s CHAE Advisory Council, Communications Editorial Advisory Council and a HITEC and HFTP Annual Convention speaker.
In addition to his continuous contributions to HFTP, Schmidgall has conducted and published numerous surveys about the club industry and has authored articles for publications such as Club Management. He has also led numerous conference sessions for other organizations like CMAA, has served on the AH&LA Financial Management Committee since 1981 and served as the Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE) treasurer for three years. Schmidgall has been recognized by other organizations as well. He received CHRIE’s John Wiley & Sons Research Award and was recognized as the 1999 Alumnus of the Year from the Alumni Association of Evangel University (his undergraduate alma mater).
Wolfe joined HFTP in March 1991 as the association’s director of education. He became executive vice president/CEO of HFTP in 1994 and at that time was one of the youngest association CEOs in North America.
Wolfe is a graduate of East Tennessee State University where he received a degree in Health Administration and later attended graduate school there in the Counseling and Guidance Program. In 1992, he was awarded the Certified Association Executive Designation (CAE), which is the association industry’s highest designation.
In August 2000, Wolfe was honored by Lodging Magazine by being included in the “75 Profiles in Leadership” edition, a who’s who of 75 individuals who have made major contributions to the hospitality industry. Wolfe was also featured in Association Management Magazine for his marketing ideas.
Wolfe is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the International Association of Exhibition Managers (IAEM). He is on the IAEM Program Committee, as well as its Technology Subcommittee. He has served on the Texas Society of Association Executives board of directors, is currently on the board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and is on the Hospitality Technology Curriculum Advisory Committee for the University of Delaware. He has been an instructor for the Academy of Association Management on topics including education, association law, finance and technology. He has also presented a number of seminars to other association and meeting groups including the International Society of Hotel Association Executives, CHRIE and IAEM.
Wolfe began his association career with the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) in 1987 as director of education. Wolfe also served as a consultant to members on regulatory issues and was a member of a number of state commissions relating to the foodservice industry.
Find more information about the Paragon Award and HFTP on the HFTP web site or call (800) 646-4387 or (512) 249-5333.
Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and IT personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,300 members around the world. HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in 1952 as the National Association of Hospitality Accountants.
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