PAUL & JILL KIRWIN CONTRIBUTE $5,000 TO 2017 AHLEF’s ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN

Washington, D.C., January 11, 2018 – Jill and Paul Kirwin, president & CEO of Northcott Hospitality, contributed $5,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHLEF) 2017 Annual Giving Campaign. This is the Kirwin’s fifth personal donation at the six-diamond level.

A long-time supporter of AHLEF, the Kirwin’s have donated to the Annual Giving Campaign for nearly a decade. Indeed, Paul Kirwin has served on AHLEF’s Board of Trustees since 2013 and served as chair in 2017, a pivotal year for the Foundation. During Kirwin’s tenure as AHLEF Chairman, he oversaw the completion of the “Opening Doors to Opportunity” campaign that raised a record $8million. Additionally, he serves on American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Board of Directors and Audit Committee. An industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience, he has run Northcott Hospitality since 2010, which is a privately-held Minnesota-based company that builds, develops, and operates restaurant and lodging concepts throughout the U.S.

“I am honored of the opportunity to support AHLEF, not only as a donor, but also as Chairman,” said Kirwin. “Jill and I are proud to support the education and career aspirations of the next generation of industry leaders.”

“Paul has been instrumental in setting the direction of AHLEF over the last several years, particularly during the launch of a new campaign in support of the great work AHLEF does to support scholars and our workforce,” said Rosanna Maietta AHLEF interim president. “Paul and Jill have donated generously with financial resources and their time commitment to ensure the industry is well positioned for the future. We are so grateful to all they do for our industry and in underscoring the importance of giving back.”

The Annual Giving Campaign is AHLEF’s yearly fundraising initiative supported solely by the hospitality sector. Initiated in 1997, the program generates funds for AHLEF’s core programs that provide hospitality management students with academic scholarships, offer grants for pertinent industry research, and promote hospitality as a career of choice. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $21.5 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs. and the Foundation disbursed a record $851,500 in academic scholarships this year alone.

Support the Foundation by helping fund the future of the lodging industry. For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, Senior Vice President of Foundation Programs, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org, or visit www.ahlef.org.

 

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AHLEF is the industry’s philanthropic organization, dedicated to helping people build careers that improve their lives and strengthen the lodging industry. Founded in 1953, AHLEF is a subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and provides resources for hospitality-related education, career development, research and public awareness of the industry. Since its inception approximately $24 million has been awarded in the way of scholarships and research grants, as well as invested in key programs, such as career development and school-to-career, that directly affect the long-term goals and success of the hospitality industry. The Foundation is funded solely by contributions from generous individuals and companies who want to give back to the hotel industry and ensure a successful future. Learn more at www.AHLEF.org.