Distinguished Alumni Award

2020 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Lenny Freund

How many of us can point to a simple activity we did as children that transformed into a career, a family business and successful life? Lenny Freund, State Fair Community College’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni recipient, can do just that. Not only did SFCC have an impact on Freund’s formative years but also laid the educational foundation for a career that began in the Roadrunner concession stand. “When I was in grade school, my parents took us to a Roadrunner basketball game,” Freund reflected. “Just before the halftime, Keith Hoskins (son of Booster Club member Bob Hoskins) asked me if I wanted to help at the concessions stand, serving sodas and popcorn. For the next 7 or 8 years, I don't think that I missed a game. Even though I was a volunteer, I just loved the environment and the people. Little did I know at the time that I would be around the food concession business for the rest of my life.” Freund was born in Sedalia, the youngest of four siblings. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School and later earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1980 from SFCC. He transferred to Central Missouri State University, now named University of Central Missouri, and while there he accepted an offer to be a food service operations manager at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. That decision set the course for Freund to become a successful and respected entrepreneur with 40 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Freund spent 10 years with Six Flags Theme Parks holding various positions including, director of revenue, vice president and general manager at different locations. For several years, Freund worked at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels, Texas.

It is a huge honor to be named SFCC’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year, and one I never expected,” Freund said. “When I look at the list of past recipients, I’m even more humbled. Throughout my life I have been blessed in many ways, but having Sacred Heart School, SFCC and Sedalia on my resume, well that’s a pretty good foundation.

In 2007, he and his wife, Susan, founded Freund Family Foods, a successful traveling food concession business that operates at numerous fairs, festivals, airshows, concerts, and amusement parks across the country. In 2008, Freund started the consulting firm North Star Food & Beverage Associates with colleague, Ken Whiting. They provide services and guidance that align with their mission to “build relationships.” Dozens of their food and beverage clients have improved operations at various venues. For the past 15 years, Freund has spoken at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions convention. More than 40,000 people from around the world attend this annual event. Also, he is a frequent speaker at the annual Amusement & Theme Park Food Service Conference. Traditionally, the Distinguished Alumni recipient is recognized and given the opportunity to address graduates and guests at the commencement ceremony held in May. However, in March, SFCC canceled commencement because of COVID-19. In place of the public ceremony, Freund traveled to Sedalia and recorded a short video to accept the award and provide a message to the graduates. “It is a huge honor to be named SFCC’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year, and one I never expected,” Freund said. “When I look at the list of past recipients, I’m even more humbled. Throughout my life I have been blessed in many ways, but having Sacred Heart School, SFCC and Sedalia on my resume, well that’s a pretty good foundation. “SFCC was a wonderful foundation, not only for my education but also just being around good people who care. One of my favorite expressions is ‘I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.’ The faculty and staff at SFCC have always done a great job, and they do care about helping students reach their goals.” Freund and Susan reside in Newnan, Georgia, and have seven adult children, several of whom work in the family business. His graduation comments can be viewed on SFCC’s YouTube channel.