(BOSTON) – The Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) announced on Wednesday, June 20, at its annual board meeting that Patricia Bando, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services at Boston College, has been inducted as the organization’s new Chairman of the Board. After serving as the First Vice President, Bando replaces former Chairman David Colella. Colella, Vice President and Managing Director at The Colonnade Hotel, has served as Chairman for the past year. As the Chairman of the Board, Bando intends to remain focused on the MRA’s key initiatives while actively expanding the organization’s membership. 

One of Bando’s main tactics in expanding membership in the MRA is to in increase awareness. She plans to focus on making sure the younger generations are aware that the MRA is a unique organization within the food service industry. As a primary resource for information and food service operation standards, the MRA provides its members with the tools necessary to succeed in the industry. It advocates on behalf of members at all levels of government, provides educational opportunities for future leaders and industry professionals, and offers cost-saving programs that help improve everyone’s bottom line. In addition, networking opportunities are always available to help develop and maintain important relationships. Out of more than 14,000 eating and drinking establishments in the state, 1,750 MRA members represent 5,500 of these restaurants. Bando aims for this to be common knowledge among everyone in the industry during her term.

“Succession is an important goal in our workplace and it also needs to be considered in the future of this association,” says Bando. “We are as much a people business as we are a food business. It is timely and relevant to magnify the communication of our industry’s important role in the state and national economy as employers . . . we need to develop opportunities to entice, enrich and establish junior operators of our businesses into the use of MRA services.”

Bando is currently the Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services at Boston College. She is responsible for the university’s enterprise operations, including dining, catering and concession services, conference services, and more. Prior to Boston College, Bando worked as the Director of Dining at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She has also worked in various food service and hospitality positions in New Jersey and New York City. A registered and licensed dietitian, Bando earned her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics from Michigan State University and her Master of Arts degree in food service administration from New York University. Her work as been recognized with many awards, such as the 2011 New England Food Service Publishers Award and the 2011 Massachusetts Restaurant Association Food Service Operator of the Year Award. Bando has served on the MRA’s Board and Executive Boards in various capacities over the past nine years.

About the Massachusetts Restaurant Association:

Founded in 1934, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) is a trusted not-for-profit trade association committed to the advancement of the food and beverage industry in our state. The MRA helps operators succeed by providing information, education, government advocacy, cost-savings programs, and networking opportunities. Together with the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the MRA works to promote current and future industry leaders. For more information, visit www.massrestaurantassoc.org.

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