WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Restaurant Association announced today that Kelly Benedetti has been promoted to vice president of State and Industry Relations and Tim Ehlert has been promoted to manager of State Relations and Save American Free Enterprise (SAFE) Fund.
Benedetti became director of the SAFE Fund in 2005, after starting at the Association in 2004 as SAFE manager. SAFE's mission is to mobilize, educate and execute the restaurant industry's political efforts at the state level in cooperation with the National Restaurant Association, state restaurant associations, multi-unit companies and allied partners.
Benedetti is originally from Hilliard, Ohio, and is a graduate of Bowling Green State University where she earned a degree in education.
Ehlert joined the Association in 2006 as Coordinator for State Relations and Grassroots.
Originally from Cut Bank, Mont., Ehlert earned a political science degree from the University of Montana. In his role as Manager of State Relations and SAFE, Ehlert will report to the vice president of State and Industry Relations.
