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| PROVIDENCE, R.I. - April 24, 2002 - Phil Bakes, chairman and CEO of
FAR&WIDE Travel Corporation, spoke with students of The Hospitality
College at Johnson & Wales University about the tourism and travel
industry as part of the Distinguished Visiting Professor program on March
27.
Bakes said the travel industry is on its way back, but that the growth is uneven and unpredictable. Bakes credits his company's vision as the key to remaining stable in the market. "A vision unifies people. September 11 was a big set back for the travel industry, but within eight days we had looked at our company and made several changes to our domestic travel packages. It gave our employees confidence that we were had a unified vision of the future," said Bakes. "Johnson & Wales has vision. This University is looking to the future, and that's very impressive." Bakes also served in the public sector in the 1970's as a Watergate Special Prosecutor, general counsel to the Civil Aeronautics Board and counsel to the U.S. Senate Antitrust Subcommittee. In June 2001, he earned the prestigious title of "Entrepreneur of the Year" as the recipient of the esteemed Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award that recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. In addition, the Association of Travel Marketing Executives honored Bakes in May 2000 with their celebrated Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement.  "Phil's
visit to Johnson & Wales was great for our students," said Dick Brush,
dean of The Hospitality College. "It is an incredible opportunity for our
students to meet with an industry expert like Phil Bakes. His experience
in travel and tourism is unique and extremely helpful in the educational
process."
During Bakes' visit, Kristen Hanner, a sophomore majoring in travel and tourism with a 3.8 GPA, was awarded a Distinguishing Visiting Professor scholarship from Johnson & Wales. Hanner, a native of New Fairfield, Conn., is a teaching assistant at the Johnson & Wales information center at T.F. Green Airport. The Distinguished Visiting Professor (DVP) program draws top executives from both the hospitality and business fields to Johnson & Wales to share their knowledge with students. The DVP Hall of Fame includes: William Fisher, president and CEO of the America Hotel & Motel Association; Marilyn Carlson Nelson, vice chair and CEO, Carlson Holdings Co.; and William S. Norman, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of America. The Hospitality College at Johnson & Wales - America's Career University® - boasts the largest enrollment nationally of students preparing for careers in international hotel and tourism management, hotel management, food and beverage management, sports/entertainment/event management and travel-tourism management. Students are currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs in hospitality. |
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Jodi Hoatson Senior Publicist 401-598-1848 http://www.jwu.edu |