Lodging Leader is Fall WSU Burtenshaw Lecturer

PULLMAN, Wash. — William P. Fisher, president and chief executive officer of the American Hotel
& Motel Association, will present “Creating Creativity Creatively” as the fall Burtenshaw Distinguished
Lecturer at Washington State University. His presentation is set for 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the
Todd Hall Auditorium. The WSU Hotel & Restaurant Administration Program hosts the lecture series
twice yearly, in the fall in Pullman and in the spring in Seattle.
As AH & MA’s president and CEO, Fisher implements and directs service to the American lodging
industry. He provides leadership and guidance in the development of programs and activities of value to
association members. He works directly with the officers, board of directors and member state associations
to help determine the direction of the industry.
“Dr. Fisher brings a wealth of knowledge about the lodging industry to our students and guests at the
Burtenshaw Distinguished Lecture,” says W. Terry Umbreit, hotel & restaurant administration program
director. “His wide range of experience in higher education is tremendous. We are truly honored to welcome
Dr. Fisher as our guest.”
Fisher joined the AH & MA in October 1996 and previously served as the chief staff officer of the
National Restaurant Association for more than 17 years. He was executive vice president for finance and
administration for Service Systems Corporation (now Marriott Service Systems) from 1977-1984. He
holds three degrees from Cornell University, including a master of business administration and a doctorate
in educational administration. He was an assistant professor at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration
and taught accounting, finance and general management courses. He also served as a hospitality industry
consultant for Gaurnier Associates.
Fisher received the “Champion of Education Award” by the industry’s Council on Hotel, Restaurant,
and Institutional Education (CHRIE) in 1996. He is a former Air Force officer, and author of “Fisher’s
Laws: The Thinker’s Guide to Management Action.” He has also edited books related to the hospitality
industry.
The Burtenshaw Distinguished Lecture Series began in 1981 and is sponsored by D. Jerry and
Angelina Burtenshaw of Mercer Island in memory of their son, Calvin Brett.
The WSU Hotel and Restaurant Administration is 66 years old and has been part of the WSU College
of Business and Economics since 1946. Students in the undergraduate four-year degree program can study
in Pullman, Seattle, or as part of an affiliation with an institute in Brig, Switzerland. Students at WSU can
major or minor in hospitality studies through the program.
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