President, Peartrees Catering

Attended Western Michigan University, majored in business administration, and New York City College for Hotel and Restaurant Technology.

Jerry has been in hospitality management since 1963. He spent the first 12 years of his career working for Interstate United, Saga Food Service and Servomation, three of the largest food service companies in the industry. During that time he was responsible for multi-unit management in the areas of fast food, industrial feeding, college feeding, fine dining and sports concessions. Over this 12-year period he helped to develop systems and procedures and established a training center for restaurant managers and assistant managers. Jerry was also responsible for new restaurant site selections, lease negotiations and management in an area encompassing 9 states.

In 1975 he opened Management Systems, a consulting firm specializing in the hospitality industry. During this time some of his clients included: the San Diego Zoo, Riverside International Raceway, Los Angeles Forum, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, El Paso Civic Center, AFCO Community Developers and Fish House West Restaurants.

In 1976 Jerry and his wife Luanne had the opportunity to purchase stock in Wonder Valley Ranch, a 55-acre resort property in the foothills of Sequoia National Park in central California. They spent ten years helping to develop and manage the resort. After selling their interest they purchased a 20 room bed and breakfast inn in Laguna Beach. Four years later they had increased the guest occupancy 63% and increased the average room rate 62% by adding services and upgrading the inn.

In 1990 they purchased Peartrees Catering, which they incorporated in 1994. Since the purchase sales have increased over 1200% and Peartrees is now listed as one of San Diego's largest caterers, in the Business Journal's "Book of Lists". By 1998 they had outgrown their Golden Hill facility and decided to expand in the South Bay. They purchased an 8000 square foot building, which they remodeled. It is now one of the largest state of the art catering facilities in San Diego County, which includes a glass walled conference/tasting room overlooking the kitchen. Peartrees now has catering contracts with many venues including the city of San Diego, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and The Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, Legoland USA, museums in Balboa Park and the city of Chula Vista.

Jerry is formerly a vice president of the Economic Development Committee and a member of the board of directors of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, a member of the advisory board for the Academy of Travel and Tourism, a co-chair of the Centurion Committee for the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, a member of the board of directors for the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, a member of the Chula Vista Urban Development Committee board of directors, a former member of the board for the Industrial Recreation Council, a former member of the Chula Vista Cultural Arts Committee, the Chula Vista Restaurant Development Committee, member of the advisory committee for the Culinary Arts Program at South Western College, a member of the Holiday Bowl Committee, member of San Diego Unified Port Real Estate Advisory Committee, City of Chula Vista commissioner and a member of the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center board of directors.