FRANZ  DORNINGER

Mr. Dorninger is a native of Oberösterreich (Upper Austria.)  He moved to Dallas in 1983 and then to San Diego in 1985.

Franz received an education in restaurant and hotel management, accounting, and business.  He worked as General Manager of one of Austria’s largest retaurant and hotel chains for 10 years.

After moving to San Diego, he acquired the House of Munich, which is currently undergoing a complete remodel and scheduled to open as San Diego's first Austrian restaurant, Edelweiss Restaurant, in April 2002.  Since 1991, Franz has also operated the picturesque Lake Cuyamaca Restaurant and Store in Julian.

Franz has served as President of the Austrian-American Council, San Diego, since 1995, and was instrumental in helping inaugurate the national Austrian-American Day, observed every September 26.

That same year, he organized the first Austrian Maifest in Julian, which has since become a popular annual tradition.  In 1996, Julian became the Sister City of Heiligenblut, Austria, an effort spearheaded by Franz.

Mr. Dorninger was recently awarded the prestigious Silver Cross of the Republic of Austria, the nation’s highest honor for national accomplishments abroad.