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ATLANTA—Regynald Washington, decorated leader in the hospitality industry, committed philanthropist and champion for education, will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration degree by Georgia State University at the May 2, 2024, commencement ceremony for the institution’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business.
During his distinguished career, Washington was president of Paradies Lagardère Dining Division, a travel retail organization, and previously served as chief executive officer of Hojeij Branded Foods Inc., a Morgan Stanley Private Equity portfolio company. He earlier held a variety of roles at The Walt Disney Company over his 12 years there, including vice president of worldwide food and beverage operations for Disney Parks and Resorts. Washington has been chairman of the board of the National Restaurant Association and is currently an active past chairman.
In addition to decades of investment in and volunteering for various education institutions, Washington is a prominent supporter of Georgia State, including contributing a $1 million personal gift to the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration. The school honored this generous donation by naming the Regynald G. Washington Master of Global Hospitality Management program, which provides graduate students with scholarships and opportunities for expanded global experiences. Washington also currently serves as a trustee for the Georgia State University Foundation board.
“Regynald Washington, in his distinguished career and decades-long commitment to the Atlanta community as corporate leader, dedicated philanthropist and champion for creating educational opportunity, embodies the trailblazing achievement and impact Georgia State works daily to make possible for its students,” said Dr. M. Brian Blake, president of Georgia State University. “We are honored to confer on him an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration and greatly appreciate his passionate commitment to Georgia State.”
Washington began his career at the age of 13 working as a bus attendant in the Florida Keys. He graduated from Florida International University cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality Management at the age of 19, the youngest graduate of the university at that time. During his career, Washington’s commitment to excellence, along with hard work and determination, led to professional success, prominence within his industry and recognition from his peers. He received the 2022 “Legends & Leaders” Impact Award by The Elliot Leadership Institute, the 2019 International Foodservice Manufacturers Association’s Gold Plate Award – the highest award in the restaurant and foodservice industry – and the 2019 Georgia Restaurant Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also been inducted into the College of Diplomats of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
Washington is a trustee of the Culinary Institute of America and serves on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board of the Chaplin School of Hospitality Management at Florida International University. He also is a member of the Board of Business Executives for Tamarix Equity Partners and is on the board of directors for Apex Holdings. An avid music lover, Washington serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Sinfonietta.
During the 1980s, Washington raised funds and initiated ProStart in Georgia, a premier two-year culinary arts program teaching high school students both culinary techniques and management skills. This program now operates in all 50 states and provides opportunities for more than 145,000 students annually and supports future leaders in food service efforts to build careers and continue their education in related fields.
Washington has been recognized for his professional achievements and philanthropic work by some of the nation’s highest educational institutions, including being awarded with honorary faculty status at Michigan State University and Purdue University. He is the Lifetime Conti Professor at Penn State University and received the Outstanding Achievement Torch Award, Florida International University’s highest honor. Washington also received the Honorary Alumnus Award from Georgia State’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business.
Explore the unique educational, research and cultural opportunities available to students that make Georgia State a university for all at gsu.edu. Learn more about Georgia State’s spring 2024 commencement at commencement.gsu.edu.