National Restaurant Association Appoints Officers, Board Members

The National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation announced on Thursday their 2024 board officers, directors and trustees.

Jeff Lobdell, president and founder of Restaurant Partners Management, will serve as chair of the National Restaurant Association board of directors, and Shaun Beard, senior vice president of SAVOR Hospitality, will serve as chair of the NRAEF board of trustees.

Shaun Beard

Jeff Lobdell

Vice Chair Richard Schneider, chief development officer of Areas USA, and Treasurer Mike Axiotis, CEO and president of the Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group, complete the association’s board leadership.

Other NRAEF officers include Vice Chair Bill Kohl, principal of Greenwood Hospitality Group, and Treasurer Carrie Leishman, president and CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association.

Each of the officers will serve a one-year term.

The National Restaurant Association also added several members to the board. The newly elected directors include:

• Madelyn Alfano, Maria’s Italian Kitchen
• Dagmar Boggs, The Coca-Cola Co.
• Greg Flynn, Flynn Restaurant Group
• Michael Gonda, McDonald’s Corp.
• Victoria Gutierrez, Sysco
• GJ Hart, Red Robin Int’l.
• John Horne, Oysters Rock Hospitality, Anna Maria Oyster Bar and Cafe L’Europe
• Bill Kitsilis, Axios Hospitality
• Amber Moshakos, LM Restaurants
• Sam Sanchez, Third Coast Hospitality

In addition to naming its new board officers, the NRAEF also introduced its new board trustees. They include Mateo Cidre of Sobao Bakery & Restaurant and Damian Hanft of Inspire Brands.