Communications Veteran Joins Foundation to Support Mission to Enhance the Stature of the Restaurant Industry
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced today that Steven Kramer has joined the Foundation as vice president of communications. Kramer brings more than two decades of experience in communications and marketing to the NRAEF and will aid in the Foundation’s mission to enhance the stature of the restaurant industry through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities.
“Steve brings extensive public relations and association experience and knowledge to the NRAEF,” said Rob Gifford, executive vice president of philanthropic initiatives for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. “Communications efforts are an integral part of supporting the NRAEF’s mission, and we’re confident that he will be a strong leader who can drive our messaging and awareness to new heights and help us reach new milestones.”
Kramer joins the NRAEF most recently from the Home Builders Institute (HBI), an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders, where he served as senior vice president of the residential construction academy for the past 10 years. Kramer was responsible for generating new programming ventures achieving more than $13 million in funding for the HBI, as well as garnering national exposure reflecting the organization’s expanding mission. Kramer previously held positions with Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Weber Shandwick, Ketchum and Burson-Marsteller.
“I am thrilled to join the Foundation team and eager to use my experience to develop new initiatives and compelling communications programs to further elevate the restaurant industry as a whole,” said Steven Kramer. “By telling the industry’s story of opportunity and promoting the NRAEF’s educational and community programs, we aim to attract a new generation of talent to fill the need for quality restaurant leaders and employees that will be created as the industry grows over the next decade.”
According to the National Restaurant Association, total restaurant and foodservice employment is projected to grow by 11 percent over the next 10 years. The NRAEF is committed to developing a highly-trained and professional talent pool through scholarships and educational programs such as ProStart, a two-year program that brings the industry and the classroom together to give 95,000 high school students nationwide a platform to discover new interests and talents, while opening doors to fulfilling careers.
With national and local support from industry members, educators, state restaurant associations and the NRAEF, ProStart reaches 1,700 schools. For more information on the ProStart program, visit www.nraef.org/prostart.
