Spring 2013
Alumnus Jerry Murrell: The Founder of Five Guys Burgers
Alpena Community College alumnus Jerry Murrell is the
founder and chief executive officer of Five Guys Burgers
and Fries, one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in
the country. With more than 1100 restaurants in the United
States and Canada and locations planned for Great Britain,
one could say that Jerry has become the king of burgers,
selling 2.2 million burgers a week.
Jerry was raised in Alpena in a middle
class family and has fond memories of
the local popular burger shack called
Push ‘Em Up Tony’s, which only sold
burgers. He said, “Almost everyone in
town, except the uppity uppities, ate
the burgers because they were so
good.” Little did he know that this
burger shack concept would become
his entrepreneurial path.
He is a graduate of Catholic Central
High School. Jerry was responsible for
paying for his education and decided to
attend Alpena Community College,
where he earned an Associate of Arts
degree in 1964.
Together, the family agreed to use the $35,000 that had
been set aside for their sons’ education to open a burger
restaurant. Jerry and Janie, along with their sons, opened
their first take-out burger restaurant in Arlington, Virginia in
1986. Keeping his day job, Jerry utilized his business savvy
and formulated the plan, which included the name Five
Guys. Janie kept the books and worked with vendors from
her home office. Matt and Jim worked
long hours in the restaurant, along with
their brother, Chad (then 14).
The menu was limited, burgers and
fresh-cut fries cooked in peanut oil.
Their business philosophy was simple,
use quality ingredients, cook everything
fresh and made to order. They secured
the best baker in town for the buns,
created relationships with high-end
meat and produce suppliers, and
mastered the art of cooking a French fry
made from fresh Idaho potatoes. It
didn’t take long before customers were
lining up to order a burger, and Jerry
shares that they made money right
from the start.
Following his graduation from ACC,
For 16 years the Murrells ran five
Jerry transferred to the University of
restaurants in the metro Washington
Michigan, a school he had always
D.C. area and perfected their system.
dreamed of attending. To support
Nothing
but fresh food, no freezers,
Jerry Murrell, Founder and CEO
himself in school, Jerry worked in the
microwaves,
or timers are used in their
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
dorms and managed the kitchen at a
restaurants—a tradition that continues
fraternity house. His work in the frat house kitchen would
today. They have never changed the menu, except to add
lay the foundation for his burger empire 20 years later.
hot dogs. Five Guys Burgers with its hand-formed burgers,
fresh-cut fries, and unlimited free toppings, became a
Jerry graduated from the U of M with a degree in
phenomenon with a cult-like following among burger
economics in 1967 and began working for a life insurance
lovers.
company. He married in the 1970’s and moved to
Washington D.C. with his three sons, Matt, Jim and Chad
The “five guys” that lead the chain are the five Murrell
and started his own financial planning business. Jerry
brothers, Matt, Jim, Chad, Ben, and Tyler. Jerry’s sons
remarried and he and his wife, Janie had two more sons,
convinced him to franchise and in 2003, they began
Ben and Tyler.
offering franchise opportunities. After 18 months, Five
Guys Enterprises sold options for over 300 units and the
Jerry’s two oldest sons, Matt and Jim did not want to
success of franchising a local restaurant made national
attend college following their high school graduation.
news.
Jerry’s proud to share that they have never spent a
dime on advertising and relies on word of mouth.
However, they do get a lot of free press and Five Guys
has been featured in various magazines including
Forbes, USA Today, INC. and Business Week. They
received an extra publicity boost when President
Obama stopped by their Washington D.C. restaurant
for cheeseburgers in 2009.
Jerry uses the money he saves from not advertising
to give his employees as bonuses, which amounted
to approximately $16 million last year. Each shift has
an opportunity to earn a $1,000 bonus each week
through their secret shopper incentive program.
The Five Guys mission statement is as simple as its
menu. To compete in a restaurant industry that is
crowded with hamburger and French fries chains,
you’d better do hamburgers and French fries better
than anyone else. Indeed, Jerry has found their recipe
for success.
Jerry and Janie Murrell and their five sons.
To honor Jerry for his remarkable achievements since his early days at ACC, the ACC Foundation has named him the
recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Graduate Award. Established in 1998 by the ACC Foundation, this award honors ACC
graduates who have gone on to contribute to society through successful careers. The award will be presented to Jerry
during the 60th Alpena Community College commencement ceremonies on May 9, 2013.
ACC Reinstates Cross-Country
After an 18-year hiatus, Alpena Community College
officials have reinstated cross-country at the College. Mark
Jacobs, an Alpena resident and avid runner, was named
coach of the ACC Lumberjacks cross-country team.
Coach Jacobs has an extensive athletic background
which includes being a member of the college football
team at Ferris State University and running over 20
marathons. In addition, he has served as an individual
running coach for seven years, coached junior high crosscountry for two years, and for the past three years, he has
served as the head coach of The Woods Indoor Track Club
in Alpena.
The 2012 ACC cross-country team coached by Mark Jacobs.
In July of 2012 with less than one month before the first
practice, Coach Jacobs aggressively sought out students to form ACC’s team. He admits that building a cross-country
team was a challenge due to the fact that a majority of student athletes had already committed to colleges earlier in the
year. His recruiting efforts paid off; Jacob's eight-member team included three former high school cross-country runners,
two ACC basketball players, an All-State indoor high jumper, a soccer player, and an All-American bowler.
To prepare for the meets, the team had a rigorous practice schedule which included running seven days a week. Coach
Jacobs said, “Despite the fact that half the team had never run more than four miles, I could not have asked for a better
group of individuals to build the foundation for great things to come.”
By the end of the season, the team has improved their personal record by over 17 minutes. As important as the great
athletic season, the runners also had a great academic semester, garnering a 3.1 overall team grade point average.
ACC’s cross-country team finished ninth out of twelve teams in the region, and Coach Jacobs is proud of his young
team’s accomplishments. His goal is to not only build a competitive team, but to build a national powerhouse. Coach
Jacobs said, “With hard work and support, this is attainable.”
A Cross-County Boosters Club will be established through the ACC Foundation to help the team with funding, which will
enable them to become more competitive in the state and region. To make a donation, contact jacobsm@alpenacc.edu or
ACC Foundation Executive Director Penny Boldrey at boldreyp@alpenacc.edu or call (989) 358-7297.
"Building A Powerful Future"
Campaign Announced
The Alpena Community College Foundation Board of Trustees
recently initiated a $600,000 fundraising campaign. With a theme of
"Building a Powerful Future," the campaign will help the College
fund the new Electrical Power Technology Center project.
This $5 million project will include the renovation and expansion
of the World Center for Concrete Technology to accommodate the
new Electrical Power Technology Center, placing two of ACC's wellrespected, flagship technical programs in side-by-side facilities.
The 21,000 square foot expansion and renovation project will encompass three classrooms, two technical labs, a
computer lab and five faculty offices. In addition, the expansion will include an indoor high lab for power pole training,
and new interior spaces will create an appealing environment to elevate student learning. A garage will also be
constructed to store and maintain instructional
equipment such as bucket trucks and a backhoe.
The transformation of the College’s highly-regarded
Utility Technology & Technician (UTT) programs will
enable more students to enroll in both the traditional
utility technology programs and in new programs
incorporating renewable energy sources and smart grid
technology. In addition, it will ensure ACC’s UTT
students are prepared for these increasing in-demand
occupations.
The Electrical Power Technology Center is a partnership between the State of Michigan and private
financial resources. To date, 85% of the $5 million has
been committed. You can be a part of this exciting
project. Whether you are a graduate of ACC or a
supporter of the College, your gift makes you a partner
in our mission to serve lifelong learning needs by
providing educational opportunities to the residents of
Northeast Lower Michigan. We encourage you to
consider a gift to help us meet our goal and make the
Electrical Power Technology Center project a reality for
our students.
Alumni Gifts Committee Established
An Alumni Gifts Committee has been established to assist
the Alpena Community College Foundation with its "Building
a Powerful Future" Campaign. Jackie Krawczak, Executive
Director of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce and an
ACC alumna, has been selected to chair the Alumni Gifts
Committee. Jackie said, “ACC gave me a solid foundation on
which to build my career. I want to give back to them so they
can help form a solid foundation for other students.”
Back row (L-R): Bradley Somers, Robert Coombs, Roger Bauer,
Kim LaBrecque, Sue Fitzpatrick Front row (L-R): Carol Shafto,
Vicki Sylvester-Keller, Felonie Keller-Somers & Jackie Krawczak
Jackie has assembled a great team of alumni to assist with
the campaign. They include Roger Bauer, Dr. Robert Coombs,
Lisa M. Dietlin, Andrea Dutcher, Sue Fitzpatrick, Kim
LaBrecque, Carol Shafto, Felonie Keller-Somers, Cristie
VanMassenhove, David Zeller, Bradley Somers, Betty Werth
Westrope and Vicki Sylvester-Keller. Jackie added, “I hope we
can count on you to share that same sense of pride for and
commitment to such a wonderful organization as ACC. “
Leaving a Legacy:
Remembering Grace Genschaw
Grace C. Genschaw, a lifelong Alpena resident, made a significant
donation to the Alpena Community College Foundation in 2010 and
created several scholarship funds. The Grace C. Genschaw Scholarship
Fund provides four annual scholarships of $1,000 and one $500
scholarship to students pursuing an associate's degree or certificate in
any program offered at ACC.
Since the inception of the scholarship fund a total of eight students
have benefitted from Grace’s selfless act. Grace attended several
annual scholarship receptions which were hosted by the ACC
Foundation and had the opportunity to meet many of her scholarship
ACC students Karen Bobola and Josh Melberg meet
recipients. She said, “There is nothing more rewarding than helping
Grace Genschaw at a scholarship reception.
students follow their dreams of pursuing higher education as they prepare
for a profession and lifework. It is my privilege to help these students this year and future years.”
Grace raised her four children, Charles, Ronald, Gayle, and Todd, while working full-time as a secretary with Alpena
Public Schools. During her 30-year tenure with APS, she worked at Bingham, Oxbow, and Sunset Schools as well as at
Central Office until her retirement in 1995.
Sadly, Grace passed away on December 31, 2012 at the age of 82. Her family continues to honor her memory and fulfill
her wish to help students by naming the ACC Foundation as one of the beneficiaries of her memorial contributions. Grace’s
legacy of helping students, as well as her belief in the power of education will continue at ACC in perpetuity.
John Berg Student Assistance Fund Helps Students in Need
There is much more to funding a college education than tuition and books. Most students are faced with additional
expenses such as rent, car payments, food and gas. Emergencies and unplanned events can leave students in financial
difficulties that affect their academic and personal lives.
Alpena Community College faculty and staff encounter students every day who are struggling to pursue their
educational goals despite financial hardships or unexpected crises. It’s not unusual for the ACC Foundation to receive a
call from a faculty or staff member requesting financial assistance on behalf of a student.
Penny Boldrey, ACC Foundation Executive Director, said, “Many of our students are under tremendous financial
pressure. Numerous requests involve the need for gas money, text books, car repairs, and many other non-tuition-related
needs. All are barriers to a students’ academic success. Recently, the needs have become more basic, and we’ve seen an
increase in the requests for assistance with food.”
Thanks to the John R. Berg Student Assistance Fund, the ACC Foundation can provide students with one-time financial
assistance to help meet basic, urgent and immediate needs so they can succeed in school. John Berg was a custodian in
Van Lare Hall for ten years and was well-known for his hard work and friendly manner. He had a wonderful rapport with
ACC’s students and developed a reputation for his listening skills and willingness to help students in need.
The John R. Berg Student Assistance Fund was established with memorial contributions made to the ACC Foundation
by John’s colleagues and friends shortly after his death in 1997. Continued support for the John R. Berg Student
Assistance Fund comes from designated gifts primarily donated by ACC’s faculty and staff.
The fund provides a safety net for many deserving students experiencing financial hardships. A typical request for
assistance ranges from $50-$100 and comes from a faculty or staff member who is familiar with the students’ needs.
However, all requests regardless of the amount are evaluated on an individual basis. Over the past three years a total of
75 students have received assistance which totaled approximately $5,000.
Golf Event Tees Off
on August 24 at
River’s Edge Golf Club
Mark your calendars for the 2013 Robert M. Granum Memorial Scramble for
Scholarships to be held at the River’s Edge Golf Club on August 24. This
four-person scramble costs $90 per person. Proceeds provide scholarship
support to ACC students. For more information, call (989) 358-7297 or visit
the ACC website at www.alpenacc.edu.
ACC Announces New Marine Technology Program
Alpena Community College received a $2,835,000 grant
from the United States Department of Labor Employment
and Training Administration which provided funding for its
new Marine Technology Program. The program is for
students interested in careers working on the Great Lakes,
on ocean-based research vessels or in industries related to
the blue economy, with
particular emphasis on
Remote Operated Vehicle
(ROV) operations and
applied robotics.
The program features an
on-water component,
coursework related to
ocean issues and underwater archeology, skilled
trades required to design
and build ROVs, and the
opportunity for an internship. The on-water portion
of the program takes place
at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which is
located just one mile from ACC’s main campus. Thunder
Bay NMS protects one of America’s best-preserved and
nationally-significant collections of shipwrecks. At Thunder
Bay NMS, students explore maritime history, experience
practical, hands-on sessions teaching underwater surveying
and recording, spend time on Great Lakes research vessels
and have the option of completing scuba diving courses.
In addition to the on-water component of the program,
Marine Tech students experience a variety of hands-on
technologies used in commercial and scientific work in labs
on ACC’s main campus. 3-D modeling, machine design,
metal cutting, robotics, and electrical studies are core
courses students will experience. Students completing the
two-year program will earn an Associate in Applied Science
in Marine Technology degree. The degree will enable them
to have access to a
variety of jobs and
careers such as ROV
Technician, Shipboard Technician,
Design Engineer,
Hydro-graphic
Surveyor, Marine
Electronics
Technician, and
Marine Research
Technician.
The ocean economy is large and diverse, accounting for
20% of our national economy and supporting one in six
jobs in the United States. The need for qualified ROV
technicians will continue to grow as the industry adapts to
new technology. In addition, employment of surveying and
mapping technicians is expected to grow 19% from 2008
to 2018. For more information, contact David Cummins,
instructor and advisor for the Marine Technology Program,
at (989) 358-7224.
Dave Zeller Named Alpena's Outstanding Citizen
Alumnus David Zeller was named the 2012 Outstanding Citizen of the
Year by the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce during their annual
dinner on February 21, 2013. This award has been given annually since
1983 to individuals for their exemplary volunteer efforts and for their
commitment to making a positive impact on the Alpena community.
As Dave walked to the stage teary-eyed to accept the award, he was
given a standing ovation by a crowd of over 400 individuals. His
nominator, which is kept a secret, wrote, “Serving his family and others
is Dave’s way of life, and Alpena should be proud of his dedication and
love for our community.”
Dave's list of accomplishments and community service is extensive.
Over the years, he has served on the board of more than a dozen
local and statewide organizations. He has also served as President
Dave Zeller and his wife, Lori
on more than half of those boards including the Northeast Michigan
Rehabilitation & Opportunity Center, Alzheimer’s Association-Northeast
Michigan Chapter, Alpena Area Chamber Ambassadors, Alpena Lions Club, Macker Backers of Alpena, Michigan Applied
Users Group, Michigan Liberty Users Group, Lumberjack Booster’s Club, and Independent Insurance Agents of Alpena.
Dave has received many honors throughout his career including the Alpena Community College Fellow of the College
Award in 1991. He was recognized by ACC for his leadership efforts in organizing the Lumberjack Booster’s Club to provide
financial assistance to maintain the College’s athletic programs. In addition, Dave has served on the Alumni Gifts
Committee of the College’s Pathways to the Future Campaign and the Building a Powerful Future Campaign.
As a lifelong Alpena resident, Dave is a graduate of Alpena High School and a 1976 graduate of Alpena Community
College. For the past 37 years Dave has worked as an Independent Insurance Agent for various agencies, and he is
currently employed with Alpena Agency, Inc. He is married to his wife, Lori, and has two adult daughters, Sarah and Stacy.
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ACC Honors Bobby Allen
Alpena Community College retired the #32 jersey of
former Lumberjack basketball player Bobby Allen in a
surprise ceremony held on February 4, 2013. The honor
was bestowed upon Coach Allen prior to the ACC
women’s basketball game against St. Clair Shores in
the Park Arena.
Bobby, a former all-region, all-conference and allstate player, was a forward with the Lumberjacks from
1988 to 1990. He went on to play basketball for Lake
Superior State University from 1990-1992. For the past
11 years, Bobby has served as ACC Women’s
Basketball Head Coach, and he is in his 20th season as
Assistant Coach for the ACC men’s basketball team.
When Bobby is not on the court, he is in court where
he works as a probation officer for the Family Division
of the 26th Circuit Court, which includes Alpena and
Montmorency counties.
ACC women's basketball coach, Bobby Allen, was surprised and
honored by family and friends at a ceremony in February.
Retiring a player's number is the highest individual honor a program can bestow on a player, and this is only the second
time it has been done in ACC's 60-year history. ACC athletic director and men’s basketball head coach Frank McCourt said,
“Bobby Allen represents the highest quality of sportsmanship, hard work, and dedication that represents what ACC
athletics is all about.”
On hand for the surprise were Bobby’s family members along with his daughter, Teonna Knapp, who plays basketball on
the ACC women’s team. Following the presentation Bobby said, “There are not words to express how I feel right now. I’m
just speechless.”