Washington Hospitality Association & Washington State University honor three for their contributions to the industry

By Lisa Leinberger, photos by Lisa Ellefson

At the Washington State Hospitality Conference held in Tacoma Nov. 17, three longtime industry leaders were honored for their contributions to hospitality. The three are Frank Welton, Budd Gould and Randy Irvine.

FRANK WELTON, BURTENSHAW AWARD

Frank Welton, former regional vice president of Hilton International, helped transition the Washington Lodging Association into the Washington Hospitality Association and was its first board chair from 2017-18.

“When it came to leadership, he has this steady hand and commitment to doing it right that really made the merger a success,” Anton said.

“But beyond that, we are also really recognizing that he might be lodging’s top if not one of its top mentors,” Anton said. “An incredible number of hoteliers came up to me and made it a point to say Frank was one of the best mentors they had ever had.”

“Frank is inspirational. Frank convinced me to take my first GM job sight unseen. He can really inspire people to be their best,” Eric Walters, vice president of Operations West Pyramid Hotel Group said in a video presentation at the award ceremony. “He would always encourage me to look beyond.”

“He is highly respected, always was, and he touched the lives of countless people that worked for him. He helped grow a lot of careers,” said George Schweitzer, regional director of operations of Coast Hospitality.

BUDD GOULD, BURTENSHAW AWARD

Budd Gould founded Anthony’s Restaurants. In 1973 he opened his first steak and lobster restaurant in Bellevue, Wash., and has grown the business to 35 restaurants across Washington and Idaho. He received the Burtenshaw Award.

“We are not recognizing Budd for the incredible growth and vision of his company,” Anton said. “It’s his leadership he’s

BURTENSHAW AWARD showed to his team and the industry and to his communities. And his tireless commitment to industry education.”

Anton said that Gould always has a strong commitment to the communities his restaurants served and closing the restaurants for a fundraiser is part of the culture of Anthony’s. All of his stores pick a local charity that is important to them.