Orlando, Fla. — Red Lobster® CEO Kelli Valade plans to resign from her position on April 15. Red Lobster will immediately begin a search for a successor.
Valade joined Red Lobster in August 2021. Under her leadership, she has created a new strategic framework and go-forward plan with a focus on the core guest and the need for value, as well as built out the executive team, adding the newly-created roles of chief marketing officer and chief information officer and recruiting a new chief financial officer.
“Red Lobster is a beloved, iconic brand with a loyal guest following and incredibly smart and talented employees,” says Valade. “My job as the brand’s leader has been to inspire and develop our people, while also leveraging the brand’s strengths and finding ways to build on them for even greater success. We’ve accomplished a lot in a short period of time, including building a great leadership team that alongside the board will carry the business forward to achieve our vision. I have truly loved my time here at Red Lobster. This was an incredibly difficult, but necessary, decision.”
“On behalf of the board, we thank Kelli for her service and accomplishments during her tenure as CEO, including navigating through the most recent wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has helped us assemble a talented and highly capable leadership team to lead us forward. We wish Kelli the very best in the future,” says Rittirong Boonmechote, chairman of the Red Lobster board of directors.
Following Valade’s departure, Red Lobster’s executive team will work closely with the board of directors to continue to drive the brand forward and ensure business continuity during the search for a permanent replacement. Paul Kenny, who is a member of Red Lobster’s board, will serve as the liaison between Red Lobster’s leadership and the board during this time of transition.
Red Lobster is headquartered in Orlando, Fla. For more information, visit www.redlobster.
SOURCE: Red Lobster Seafood Co.