The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), an organization founded to promote the business case for diversity and inclusion in the industry, awarded the Ernest Royal Pioneer Award to Lina Hu, President/CEO & Founder of Clipper Corporation. Lina Hu received this honor during MFHA’s Annual Conference on August 7, 2007 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, CA.

Ernest "Ernie" Royal was a trail-blazing pioneer for multicultural diversity in the hospitality industry. This award has been presented to individuals who best exemplify Ernie Royal’s pioneering spirit and commitment to leadership in supporting diversity, mentoring and providing career opportunities in the foodservice industry. Past recipients include Patricia Sowell Harris the Global Chief Diversity Officer for McDonald's Corporation, Herman Cain, President/CEO of Godfather's Pizza, Joe Lee, former Chairman of Darden Restaurants and former President of the National Restaurant Association, Buggsi Patel, Founder/President of Buggsi Management, LLC and former chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.

The award was presented by Gerry Fernandez, founder and president of MFHA. “Lina has truly embraced her responsibility as a role model and became a mentor to others,” said Fernandez. Lina Hu was also commended for her contribution and commitment to the development and advancement for women by forming the Asian and Pacific Studies Lina Hu Entrepreneur Scholarship at Loyola Marymount University which provides resources and inspiration to women who need help and have demonstrated the initiative to help others.

Upon receipt of the award, Lina Hu thanked MFHA for being an outstanding organization that helps promote and encourage other Minority Business Owner's and individuals to succeed. “This is a dream come true. I have always believed that to be a good leader, you must help and inspire other people. To come to a new country and be recognized for what I have done makes me feel like anything is possible."

About the Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance

The MFHA was founded in 1996 to act as a catalyst for change in the area of workforce diversity. Its mission is to stimulate and sustain the growth of multiculturalism and its economic benefits for the foodservice and hospitality industry by being the leading resource for information and tools to develop diversity programs. It provides diversity research, language learning tools, and other resources to assist in diversity development.

For more information, visit www.mfha.net