May 12, 2009
Contact: Annika Stensson (202) 973-3677, Maureen Ryan (202) 331-5939

(Washington, D.C.) The National Restaurant Association is honoring Amy Igloi Matsuno, owner of Amy's on the Bay in Port Orchard, Washington, as the recipient of its Faces of Diversity American Dream Award at a ceremony to be held during the Association's upcoming 2009 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. The Association's Faces of Diversity awards celebrate diversity and inclusion in the restaurant-and-foodservice industry and among the industry's 13 million employees. Four winners in two categories—the American Dream Award for individuals and the Inspiration Award for restaurant companies—are being recognized for inspirational success stories and exceptional efforts to embrace diversity.

"The story behind Amy Matsuno's success is inspiring," said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the Association. "Despite facing adversity at such a young age, Amy learned to overcome obstacles and create her own triumphs. Opening a business at the age of 25 is extraordinary. Her entrepreneurial spirit and determination to succeed has made Amy's on the Bay the thriving business that it is today."

At just three years of age, Amy Matsuno's biological parents died leaving Matsuno in a Korean orphanage where she contracted a high fever that caused hearing loss. She was adopted and moved to the United States where testing revealed a 33 percent hearing loss in one ear and a 36 percent loss in the other. Matsuno used hearing aids and started speech therapy.

Despite adversity, Matsuno excelled in school and in sports. With her father's guidance, Matsuno knew she wanted to be her own boss one day, which led her to the restaurant industry. At just 25, Matsuno opened her own restaurant. Matsuno and her husband Grant now own and operate Amy's on the Bay in Portland, Washington, a steak and seafood restaurant with Asian influences.

The Faces of Diversity awards program, created by the National Restaurant Association in partnership with PepsiCo Foodservice, celebrates the restaurant industry’s successes and inspires restaurateurs to embrace inclusion and expand diversity efforts. The American Dream Award honors individuals from diverse backgrounds who, through hard work and determination, have realized the American dream. The Inspiration Award honors restaurant companies that have exhibited leadership and vision as an advocate of diversity and inclusion.

Joining Amy Matsuno in receiving the Faces of Diversity American Dream Award are Ben and Virginia Ali, Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C.; and Siraj Virani, Dunkin Donuts franchisee, Chicago. McDonald's Corporation is receiving the Faces of Diversity Inspiration Award. For more information about the Faces of Diversity awards program, visit www.restaurant.org/diversity.

The Faces of Diversity Awards ceremony will be held at the 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® in Chicago on Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m. during the General Session & Keynote Executive Panel.

Celebrating its 90th year, the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals. NRA Show 2009 will be held May 16-19, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event attracts attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 100+ countries, and showcases more products, services, innovative ideas and other growth opportunities than any other industry event. For more information, visit the Show Web site at www.restaurant.org/show.