Ellyn Luros-Elson and Ken Wasco to be Featured Jill M. Gift Lecturers at the ASHFSA Annual Conference

Ken Wasco and Ellyn Luros-Elson are going to wake up attendees to the power of focus and personal potential at the 2007 40th Anniversary ASHFSA Conference, June 3-6, in Sarasota, Florida. Ellyn, a registered dietitian, is the founder and driving force behind Computrition, Inc., one of the nation’s top 500 women-owned businesses. Over the past 20 years, Computrition has grown into a multimillion-dollar, international software systems company specializing in foodservice and nutrition management software for the hospitality and healthcare industries. Ellyn is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the West Los Angeles Veteran’s Administration Dietetic Internship. In 2005, she became the first women ever to be honored with the International Food Service Executives Association’s Industry Award of Excellence for her significant contributions as an industry leader. In 2006, Ellyn was honored with the NACUFS’ Daryl Van Hook Award and the University of Alabama’s Jack Davis Professional Achievement Award. Ellyn is the past-president of the American Dietetic Association Foundation and a past recipient of the ADA’s Medallion Award. This past year she and her co-author Ken Wasco published their first motivational book, “Live Like You Mean It.”

Ken, an accomplished and experienced healthcare and food service speaker, is currently the senior marketing manager for customer professional development for Gordon Food Service. He is a motivator, marketing specialist, educator and author. Combining his talents in food service direction and marketing, Ken reiterates the idea of ongoing accomplishment within a daily routine. This message has been delivered to innumerable healthcare and food service conferences, as well as some 3,000 skill enhancing workshops spanning the United States and Canada. Ken has delivered the opening address at four AHFSA national conferences and belongs to a distinguished league of presenters by serving as the 2004 Jill M. Gift Lecturer. As an educational entertainer, Ken weaves academic theory and work place reality into humorous, uplifting and enthusiastic sessions that wake up audiences to the power of focus and personal potential. For more information, go to www.ashfsa.org.

Jill M. Gift was a leader in ASHFSA during the 1980’s and early 90’s, serving on the board of directors and as president-elect before losing her battle with cancer in 1991. She embodied excellence in operations and continuous improvement. Jill was very dedicated to the profession, the industry and the society. Ken Wasco and Ellyn Luros-Elson join a distinguished legacy of presenters by serving as this year’s Jill M. Gift Lecturers. Ellyn and Ken have recently published their first motivational book, “Live Like You Mean It.” Ellyn and Ken will be available for a book signing immediately following their presentation.