TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, in cooperation with the National Restaurant Association, announces the first annual Cecil B. Day Ethics Award, created by the Day Family and Florida State University, to honor esteemed ethical leaders in the hospitality industry. This award was established to honor recipients who embody traits of a natural born leader with high levels of integrity and family values, both at home and the workplace.

Mr. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A restaurants and pioneer in the quick service restaurant industry, is the first recipient to be honored with this award at the International Society of Restaurant Association Executives (ISRAE) in Chicago on May 18, 2007.

Rarely does the industry recognize individuals who hold values of integrity, family, faith and the qualities that better guide employees and serve guests. Mr. Cathy is well-deserving of the award as it recognizes those who care for their community as well as the business world. With a deep belief in faith and family, he has ensured that all of his employees have Sundays available to attend church and enjoy quality time with family. Mr. Cathy's corporate purpose written in 1982, was "To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."

Cecil B. Day was involved in the lodging and restaurant business and opened his first Day's Inn in 1970 with the goal to provide travelers with clean, comfortable, moderately priced rooms and restaurants. As a natural leader and entrepreneur, Day relied on more than just business acumen and a vivid imagination. Perseverance and his unwavering commitment to faith-based values were the keys to his success. To Day, this meant treating everyone-from the modest employee to the shrewdest banker- with dignity and respect. He lived his life with honesty, integrity, compassion, patience, stewardship, persistence, and the humbleness of a servant leader.

Representing more than 10,000 operations across Florida, FRLA is committed to safe-guarding the needs of the hospitality industry and improving the business climate. Led by CEO, Carol Dover and an active Board of Directors, FLRA has influenced legislation that has saved the industry $1.2 billion in taxes and fees over the past decade.

For more information about the College of Business, please go to www.cob.fsu.edu.