University Park, PA, September 20, 2010 –The Penn State School of Hospitality Management (SHM) has named Everette James, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as the Walter J. Conti Professor of Hospitality Management in Penn State's College of Health and Human Development, starting spring semester 2011. James is the seventy-third Conti Professor.

“We are pleased that Mr. James has accepted this honor. He has led many important initiatives in the Department of Health. His experience working with the foodservice industry to improve the health of Pennsylvania children will resound with our students and supports the College of Health and Human Development’s mission,” says Dr. Bert Van Hoof, director of the School of Hospitality Management. “He will be a valuable asset to Penn State by serving as Conti Professor.”

Conti professors supplement Penn State 's School of Hospitality Management faculty with industry knowledge and expertise, serve as advisors to the director of the School, and interact with students in educational forums. They visit the school to present guest lectures in hospitality management and to speak at graduate and undergraduate colloquia.

As Pennsylvania's top health regulator, James is responsible for carrying out the Department of Health’s mission to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent injury and disease, and assure the safe delivery of high-quality health care for all Pennsylvania citizens. He leads the state agency that regulates all of the commonwealth's hospitals, nursing homes, and managed care plans; operates sixty state health centers; and carries out numerous disease prevention and control programs. He created the nationally acclaimed Active Schools program, which works with schools to engage children in daily moderate to vigorous physical activity and teaches them about the benefits and health risks of overweight.  James has also led statewide efforts to improve nutrition environments in school cafeterias and vending machines.

James received a bachelor degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his law degree and master of business administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.