Food Trends Consulting ~ About Us

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Bill Near, President
FOOD TRENDS CONSULTING
2995 Fairfield Drive North
Allentown, PA 18103
Telephone/Fax: (610) 821-5578
Cell: (610) 392-6518 bnear@foodtrendsconsulting.com

FOOD TRENDS CONSULTING President Bill Near has more than thirty years of diversified experience within the hospitality and leisure-time industries, including: Entrepreneur, Corporate Executive, Educator and Culinarian.

EDUCATION:

	MBA, Baldwin-Wallace College.
	B.S., Restaurant and Institutional Management, Bowling Green State University.
	A.A.S., Food Service Administration, Erie Community College.

CULINARY TRAINING:

	Hilton Hotels: Completed a three year culinary apprenticeship.
	French Culinary Institute: Graduate - Grand Diplome.
	Culinary Institute of America: Completed 300 hours of specialty instruction.

CORPORATE EXECUTIVE:

	Vice President and General Manager, Cedar Fair LP. Responsible for the transition and development of a newly acquired $70 million business.
	Senior Vice President, Cedar Fair LP. Provided leadership for 2,800 employees including Vice Presidents, Division Directors and Department Heads in a complex business environment.
	Vice President, Marketing, Cedar Fair LP. $100 million business with a $7.0 advertising budget.
	Vice President, Operations, Cedar Fair LP. Provided a wide variety of services for up to 60,000 daily customers.
SERVOMATION	Vice President, Food Services: Servomation of Western NY. Launched and developed a food service management division for a major vending company.

EDUCATOR/ADJUNCT PROFESSOR:

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ENTREPRENEUR:

Owned a successful restaurant and catering business for 12 years;
Pete's Family Restaurant, Toledo, OH.