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FEATURE PROFILE: Feature from the FALL 2024 ISSUE of STAY Magazine
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Who is in this photo of HAFA 1975 grads?
The familiar faces spotted in this photo include David Larone of PKF Canada, which is part of now CBRE; Bob Desautels, founder of The Neighbourhood Group of Companies; and Iain Murray, retired faculty member at HFTM University of Guelph.
The familiar faces circled in this photo include from left:
Bob Desautels, faculty member at HAFA (1981-1991) and founder of The Neighbourhood Group of Companies (1991). In 1985, Desautels opened his first eatery, La Maison, a French restaurant that included one of Ontario’s few wine bars at the time. After three years, he sold the business to focus on teaching at University of Guelph. He reacquired the restaurant in 1990 and transformed the business into The Woolwich Arrow. The Neighbourhood Group’s restaurant roster now includes The Woolwich Arrow, two Borealis Grillhouse & Bar locations and Miijidaa Café + Bistro. Looking forward, as chair of the Neighbourhood Group of Companies, the major focus of Desautels’ activities will be to help the company expand concepts across Ontario.
David Larone is a senior managing director and practice lead with CBRE HotelsValuation & Advisory Services group in Canada. He is based in Toronto, but has responsibility nationally. Larone joined CBRE Hotels in 2015 with the CBRE’s acquisition of PKF Consulting Canada, where he was national managing director. Larone had been with PKF since 1975, and has over 40 years of hotel development, operational and investment advisory experience. He has worked extensively within the hotel and resort sector nationally and provincially in undertaking numerous operational reviews, development studies and appraisals on behalf of owners, developers and lenders. Larone has considerable experience with resort development and hotel valuations in the Caribbean and Latin America with recent experience in Belize, Panama, Dominican Republic, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Anguilla, Barbados, Grand Cayman and Bermuda.
Iain Murray isa retiredsenior faculty member of University of Guelph School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management. Professor Murray joined the HTM faculty in 1985 but was associated with the School since 1971. He has extensive experience in institutional foodservice both in Canada and the Middle East. He was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for almost a decade prior to working in health care for three years. Since joining the faculty of the School, Professor Murray has taught over 16 different courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, and has twice served as the Graduate Coordinator.
Please let us know if you recognize anyone else!
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