people

Powerhouse Appoints New Vice President of Facility Maintenance Operations

by Katie Lee January 4, 2022

Crowley, Texas — Powerhouse, a national commercial infrastructure management services provider, has appointed Maria Clavijo-Demchalk as vice president of operations, facility maintenance. Clavijo-Demchalk is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience leading operations and service-focused teams. “Maria has a strong ability to build customer-focused teams and enhanced operational efficiencies,” says Robert Blake-Ward, principal, Powerhouse. “We are confident that Maria is the right leader to increase our facilities maintenance productivity and profitability and we are excited to have her join the team.” Prior to joining Powerhouse, Clavijo-Demchalk held …

January 4, 2022

franchise development News people restaurants

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Names New Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee January 3, 2022

Irving, Texas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has named franchise veteran Scott Shotter as its new chief operating officer. The Texas-based restaurant group is recognized for its Baja-style fare with nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 17 states. Most recently, Shotter served as president of Condado Tacos, and prior to that was CEO of Backyard Burgers. Notably, Shotter and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop CEO Paul Damico served together at Moe’s Southwest Grill as vice president and CEO, respectively, and led the team responsible for the explosive growth of the brand between …

January 3, 2022

News people vendors

JM Electrical Promotes Project Manager

by Katie Lee December 21, 2021

Lynnfield, Mass. — JM Electrical Company, Inc., has promoted Andrew Guarracino — a second-generation member of the Lynnfield, Mass.-based, family-owned electrical contracting firm — to the position of project manager. In his new role, Guarracino is responsible for estimating, negotiating and managing diverse electrical construction projects (including retail) throughout the Greater Boston area. Guarracino, who joined JM Electrical in 2006, now holds Master Electrician Licenses in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Prior to his promotion, Guarracino served as an assistant project manager, supporting the Operations team while drawing …

December 21, 2021

News people restaurants

Darden Restaurants Announces Upcoming CEO Transition

by Katie Lee December 20, 2021

Orlando, Fla. — Darden Restaurants, Inc. has announced that Eugene (Gene) I. Lee, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, will retire as CEO effective May 29, 2022. Lee will continue to serve on Darden’s board of directors as executive chairman until the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. At that time, Lee is expected to stand for re-election to the board and continue to serve as chairman in a non-executive capacity. The board has unanimously elected Ricardo (Rick) Cardenas, Darden’s current president and chief operating officer, as chief executive officer, as …

December 20, 2021

News people retailers

Smart & Final Names New President

by Katie Lee December 20, 2021

Commerce, Calif. — Smart & Final, the smaller, faster grocery warehouse store for household and business customers, has named Scott Drew as its new president. Dave Hirz, current president and CEO, has been with Smart & Final for almost 12 years and is retiring on February 1, 2022. Drew has been with Smart & Final since March 2010, serving as chief operating officer since June 2020. With almost 45 years in the grocery industry, he began his career in 1977 as a courtesy clerk. Prior to joining the Smart & …

December 20, 2021

News people restaurants

Good Times Restaurants’ VP of Operations to Retire

by Katie Lee December 17, 2021

Golden, Colo. — Good Times Restaurants Inc., operator of Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar and Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard, has announced the retirement of Scott LeFever, vice president of operations, effective March 31, 2022. The company has identified a candidate who is expected to join the brand in early 2022 and to succeed LeFever upon his retirement. “On behalf of the entire Good Times team, I would like to thank Scott for his numerous contributions to the company,” says Ryan Zink, president and chief executive officer. “Since his beginnings …

December 17, 2021

lighting News people vendors

Hera Lighting Welcomes New Regional Business Development Manager

by Katie Lee December 15, 2021

Norcross, Ga. — Hera Lighting has hired Kristen Francis as its new regional business development manager, covering the South Central Region. A graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, Francis previously served as director of sales for one of the top marketing firms servicing the meetings and trade show sector of the hospitality industry. “Considering her extensive B2B and hospitality background, Kristen will be a great asset to Hera Lighting and our customers. We’re fortunate to have her on the team,” says Brad Stewart, executive vice president of sales for Hera …

December 15, 2021

News people security/loss prevention software/technology vendors

Salient Systems Appoints First Chief Security Officer

by Katie Lee December 15, 2021

Austin, Texas — Salient Systems, a leader in open architecture video management software solutions, has named Keith Aubele CPP, LPP as the company’s chief security officer. Aubele brings decades of experience at leading retail organizations such as Walmart and The Home Depot to the CSO role, which is the first such position for Salient. A former director of loss prevention for Walmart Stores Inc., and senior vice president of loss prevention for The Home Depot, Aubele will guide Salient’s approach to customer needs in the rapidly changing security landscape, as …

December 15, 2021

News people retailers

JOANN Adds to Executive Leadership Team to Advance Operations, Inventory Management

by Katie Lee December 8, 2021

Hudson, Ohio — JOANN, the nation’s category leader in fabrics and sewing and one of the fastest-growing players in the craft space, has added two industry leaders to its executive team: Joe Thibault (senior vice president, store operations) and Lisa Wittman-Smith, senior vice president, inventory management & business insights. An experienced retail leader, Thibault was promoted to senior vice president, store operations in November 2021 after more than 19 years with the company. In his current role, Thibault oversees all field operations, including more than 850 stores. This includes responsibility …

December 8, 2021

franchise development News people restaurants

Shipley Do-Nuts Names New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee December 8, 2021

Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts, a leading do-nut restaurant franchisor and manufacturer of specialty food products, has hired Bob McGahan as its new chief financial officer. McGahan adds over 30 years of experience to Shipley’s already strong leadership team as the brand continues its robust growth. Most recently, McGahan served as CFO at private equity-owned Friedrich Air Conditioning Inc. and AirBorn Inc., and has also held management positions at Dell Inc. and Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. McGahan started at Shipley in November. “Bob knows how to aggressively grow a brand in a …

December 8, 2021

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