Awards & Recognition
★Past President of Council of State Restaurant Associations
★Emmy winner in anchor talent category (unrelated to restaurant industry)
★Chair of Board for California Restaurant Association Foundation
Notable Facts
→CEO of California Restaurant Association since 2004, representing 25,000 restaurants statewide
→Led CRA through COVID-19 pandemic, gaining more members during crisis than any other period
→Past President of national Council of State Restaurant Associations
→Two-term Board Director for National Restaurant Association
→Previously legislative director for California Manufacturers Association representing Fortune 500 companies
→Built CRA Political Action Committee into one of largest small-business trade association PACs in California
→Raised $18 million from restaurant industry to fight Proposition 72 in 2004
→23+ years with California Restaurant Association as of 2022
→Board adviser to Cal State University Hospitality & Tourism Management Education Initiative
→Vice Chairman of Operations for Visit California tourism commission