The National Restaurant Association has announced the election of its new officers during the association's September board meeting in the nation's capital.
The new officers include:
- Chairman of the board of directors, Michael Gibbons, president and CEO of Mainstreet Ventures Inc. Mainstreet Ventures, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a regional restaurant chain that began as a single restaurant. The portfolio now features several diverse restaurant concepts operating in Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, Maryland and Florida, including Real Seafood Co., Ristorante Gratzi, Blue Pointe Seafood, Palio Ristorante, La Dolce Vita, Tidewater Grill, Ciao, Chop House, Zia's, Carson's American Bistro and Carson's Steakhouse.
- Vice chair, Sally Smith, president and chief executive officer of Minneapolis, Minn.-based Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., a position she has held for more than 13 years. Buffalo Wild Wings includes more than 610 restaurants in 41 states. Smith formerly held the position of chief financial officer with the company.
- Treasurer, Rosalyn "Roz" Mallet, president and CEO of Plano, Texas-based PhaseNext Hospitality, a franchise operating company. Mallet is currently changing her career track to move to the entrepreneurial side of business as the company's president and CEO. PNH's mission is to deliver fresh, high quality fast casual restaurant brands that meet the public's ever-increasing demand for higher quality food, service, hospitality and convenience to airport concessions programs and other non traditional venues.
Each will serve until January 2011. The chairman, vice chair and treasurer are volunteer positions held by members of the association's board of directors. When electing officers, directors consider the individual's level of participation in board activities, his or her leadership skills, stature and involvement in industry activities.
Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the association, welcomed each to the board, including the new chairman.
"We are excited to continue to grow membership and strengthen the National Restaurant Association's services under Mike's leadership," Sweeney said. "He will be instrumental in advancing the association's new strategic plan and promoting an expanded portfolio of member benefits that will strengthen the restaurant and foodservice industry as a whole. Mike's passion for the industry and vast experience will be extremely valuable to supporting our mission."
