With more than 30 years of experience in the food service industry, Lee has been instrumental in guiding Darden Restaurants to its current position as the largest casual dining restaurant company in the world. Darden operates more than 1,193 Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones Restaurants in North America, employing more than 122,000 people.

Throughout his career, Lee has worked to help strengthen numerous educational programs and opportunities for future industry leaders. 

�The FIU School of Hospitality Management is proud to recognize Joe Lee for his exceptional contributions to this industry,� said Joseph J. West, FIU dean of Hospitality Management. �Joe�s many efforts as a champion of education will pay dividends for our students and many others for years and years to come.� 

FIU leaders created the Hurst Award as a tribute to the professor�s lifelong contributions to education and his extraordinary commitment to the FIU School of 
Hospitality Management. The award will be presented annually to select hospitality industry leaders who embody his values and commitments.

�This award means a great deal to me � I knew Michael Hurst for more than 20 years,� said Lee in accepting the honor. �What struck me most about Michael was his passion for excellence, for people and for the restaurant business. He was one of the most inspirational and helpful people I have had the privilege to know.� 

Lee accepted the accolade at a special Tribune Dinner on Sat., March 17, at the Loews Hotel on South Beach. He was honored along with the Mondavi Wines family before a capacity crowd at the sold-out, $300-a-plate event, which benefited the FIU School of Hospitality Management.

Located at FIU-Biscayne Bay in North Miami, the FIU School of Hospitality Management is widely recognized by industry leaders as one of the nation's top-rated programs.