OCEAN CITY -- Close to 200 members gathered at Harrison's Harbor Watch last week for the annual Installation of Officers and Board of Directors for the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA), which since 1971 has long been a tourism advocate and voice of industry.

During the meeting, Chris Trimper of Trimper’s Amusements was installed as the president; G. Hale Harrison of Harrison Group Hotels and Restaurants was installed as 1st vice president; and Bob Torrey, owner of Happy Jack Pancake House was installed as 2nd vice president. RAM's Restaurateur of the Year, Shawn Harman, owner of Fish Tales, reaffirmed his term as the Secretary-Treasurer.  

The three-year Board of Directors installed included Gary Figgs of Seacrets, Michele Knopp of Bull on the Beach and Patrick Staib of the Grand Hotel and Spa. Two-year Directors include Mark Elman, of The Clarion Fontainebleau Hotel, Will Lynch, owner of the Commander Hotel, and Austin Purnell of OCMotels. One-Year Directors include Caryl Cardenas, owner of Park Place Hotel, Doug Buxbaum, owner of Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon, and Dave Robinson of Boardwalk Hotel Group.

During the meeting, the OCHMRA’s annual scholarship was awarded to UMES student and Pocomoke resident Rachel Selby. She is currently employed at the Francis Scott Key Family Resort. The scholarship is presented annually to a UMES hotel and restaurant management student.

The Bank of Ocean City’s Tres Lynch Memorial Scholarship was presented to Wor-Wic student Stephanie Dalli Cardillo, who is in the school’s hotel and restaurant management program. John "Tres" Lynch, III, was a fourth generation hotelier and second generation OCHMRA Board member when he suddenly passed away.  

Additionally, outgoing president, Travis Wright, owner of The Shark on the Harbor, was presented with a plaque in appreciation for all his hard work and dedication as OCHMRA president.