Hartgen Named President CEO of Restaurant Association of Maryland

PAUL HARTGEN has been named president and chief executive officer of the Restaurant Association of Maryland. He replaces Marshall Weston, who had served as interim president as the Association searched for a replacement for Marcia Harris who died in September, 2007.

“After conducting a thorough national search for our next leader, we are pleased to have found Paul Hartgen whom we are convinced is most capable of leading the organization at this key stage,” said Lynn Martins, chairman of the board of directors and owner of Seibels Restaurant of Burtonsville, Md. “His hands-on, managerial experience will make all the difference as we continue efforts in making RAM the most effective and influential hospitality organization in Maryland and the region.”

With more than 25 years in the hotel and restaurant industry, Hartgen leaves the presidency of the Nevada Restaurant Association where he has served since August, 2005. Before that Hartgen was president of the New Hampshire Hotel Lodging and Restaurant Association. Hartgen will begin his new position June 30 at the Columbia, Md. headquarters for RAM. He is currently president of the International Society of Restaurant Association Executives.

“As someone who has worked collaboratively with RAM’s membership and staff from the outside, I am very much aware of this association’s strong reputation within the restaurant industry as being on the cutting edge of new and creative approaches for our industry,” said Hartgen. “As President and Chief Executive officer of RAM I am committed to continuing this tradition on behalf of the restaurant industry of Maryland.”