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Ira
Blumenthal
is the president of CO-OPPORTUNITIES,
Inc., an Atlanta-based consulting company that
has counseled world class clients
such as Coca-Cola, Nestle, Kroger, McDonald's, Harrah's, Albertson's,
TGI Friday's, United Artists, Disney, Sara Lee, Wal*Mart,
Marriott, Circle K, Fairmont Hotels, Brinker, General Mills,
Hampton Inns and more…
Highly respected as a food and hospitality
industry visionary, Ira received one of the highest
honors in the industry as its 1990 recipient of "The
Key Person Award" (IFMA). His list of industry honors
and awards are many. He has also been featured and quoted
in virtually every hospitality and food industry publication
(foodservice AND retail), as well as media sources
such as "The Wall Street Journal," "USA Today,"
"BrandWeek," "People," CNN, "Entrepreneur"
and others… These media sources have used Ira as a food
and hospitality industry subject matter expert.
He is a published author.
. .the recipient of the coveted "George Washington Honor
Medal For Literary Excellence" (Freedoms Foundation).
. .the former host of a popular radio talk show ("SuccessTalk").
. .and has served as visiting university
instructor at BOTH The Foodservice Institute
(The University of Notre Dame) AND The Food Industry Institute
(Michigan State University). He has also guest lectured at
many institutions, including The Culinary Institute of America,
commencement exercises at the University of Houston and more…
Ira is also the first "Executive
in Residence" at Georgia State University's School of
Hospitality.
As a food industry leader,
he created the first restaurant-branded food court in an American
supermarket. . .is founder of the food industry's "Branding
Institute". . .has been credited as one of the early
pioneers of "home meal replacement". . .and has
led in the conversion of over a dozen foodservice brands into
retail consumer packages. . .and is a frequent speaker and
EDUCATOR on food, foodservice, retail and restaurant
related issues. Delivering over 75
speeches annually, Ira
has served as the "opener" for notables such as
President George Bush (Sr.), General Colin Powell, Tommy Lasorda,
Bob Dole, Lech Walesa and others…and has lectured on
four continents. He is highly respected as a knowledgeable
and passionate speaker.
While serving as the catalyst and dynamic strategist working
for The Coca-Cola Company and The National Restaurant
Association Educational Foundation, Ira
co-founded and is the former Executive Director of the Resource
Center For Workforce Solutions. Ira
also sits on the board of the Georgia Hotel & Lodging
Association.
On a personal note, Ira
is a committed leader in the fight against hunger. . .serves
on a number of industry boards… is a tireless community
activist and youth coach. . .and in his own youth, was a "World
Cup" athlete, as well as collegiate Football and Lacrosse
Coach. Originally from New York, Ira resides in Hot-lanta,
Georgia with his redhead Missouri bride, Kim. He is the father
of two daughters and three sons.
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