News

Multi-QSR brand executive will chair NRA board this year

January 25, 2018

A top executive with multi-QSR operator Lettuce Entertain You has been installed as chair of the NRA board this year, according to a press release from the organization announcing the swearing in of officers to its boards of directors and trustees. 

Lettuce Entertain You EVP and General Counsel Jay Stieber is among numerous brand leaders selected to fill leadership roles with the largest restaurant organization in the U.S., and its educational foundation, NRAEF.

The NRA board has approximately 60 voting directors from all areas of U.S. foodservice. The body collectively guides the NRA in its actions. NRA board officers include new vice chair Wolfgang Puck Worldwide CEO Joe Essa and new treasurer Galatoire's Restaurants President and CEO Melvin Rodriguez. Other newly elected directors include: 

• Norman Abdallah, CEO, Del Frisco's Restaurant Group, Southlake, Texas
• Mike Axiotis, President, Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group, Allentown, Pennsylvania (Red Robin franchisee)
• Genna Gent, Vice President, U.S. Government Relations, McDonald's Corp.
• Steve Johnson, President and CEO, HMSHost Corp., Bethesda, Maryland

Pizza restaurateur and Metro Pizza co-founder and owner Sam Facchini will chair the NRAEF board. Other newly installed officers include Roark Capital Group Managing Director Geoff Hill as vice chair; and Louisiana Restaurant Association President and CEO Stan Harris as treasurer.

In addition, the NRAEF added these newly elected trustees:

• Roger Kaplan, founder, RK Innovation, Dallas, Texas
• Curtis Wilson, Vice President and General Manager – National Client Group, American Express Company, New York City