Jason Pirock, Corporate Director and Head of Marketing at Springboard Hospitality, is an award-winning marketing executive with over 16 years of experience transforming brands like Hyatt and Target. Formerly the VP of Marketing at Aparium Hotel Group, he built and led the marketing department. In his current role, Jason oversees brand development, …

Andy Shallal is the Founder and CEO of Busboys and Poets, a restaurant group known for its intentional intersection of art, culture, and politics, featuring mindfully sourced food, drinks, books, and event programming. Andy is a dedicated advocate for progressive business and labor practices and is actively involved in several boards, including the…

Chris Moyer is the Senior Director of Communications at Visit Detroit, where he utilizes his storytelling abilities and expertise in connecting people to bring visitors to the Detroit area. He is a seasoned communications strategist with nearly two decades of experience in government, clean energy, and economic development across the US and UK. As …

Stacy Ritter is the President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, where her primary responsibility is to attract visitors and promote tourism to the Fort Lauderdale area. Over the years, Stacy has held various positions, such as Florida State Representative, Broward County Commissioner, and Broward County Mayor. With her expertise in budgeting, government…

Jonathan Newar is the Co-founder and CEO of Captain Experiences. He has transformed his frustration over the complexities of finding, vetting, and booking fishing trips into a successful venture. Under his leadership, Captain Experiences has emerged as the largest fishing trip booking platform in the US, boasting over 80,000 trip hours since its 20…

Emmanuel Burgio is the Principal and Founder of Blue Parallel, a boutique travel company that specializes in providing luxurious adventure experiences to destinations that include Latin America, the Mediterranean, and Antarctica. Emmanuel graduated from the London School of Economics and then worked in investment banking in New York City. Due to hi…

Jason Brandt is President and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA). He specializes in association management and government affairs at state and local levels. His duties at ORLA include launching innovative programs and products that assist the hospitality industry in being profitable. Before his tenure with ORLA, Jason was the…

Ken Griffin is the Director of Golf Sales and Marketing at BOYNE Resorts. Compared to his colleagues, Ken is relatively new to the Michigan-based BOYNE Golf team but has interacted with the company for over 25 years, including more than 15 as an employee. In his current position, he leads the development of nationwide marketing strategies that have…

Ritu Mathur is the VP of Marketing at Amy's Kitchen, a prominent producer of organic and plant-based foods. With over a decade in the food industry, she previously served as a Senior Director at Cliff Bar, initiating a value-based equal pay campaign for Luna Bar. She collaborated with the US Women's National Soccer Team and Venus Williams to advoca…

Catherine Heald is the Co-founder and CEO of Remote Lands, an ultra-luxury travel provider to destinations in Asia. Catherine is a serial entrepreneur with a background in software engineering and technology. She founded three notable software companies and had a stint in sales at Apple. Her drive to escape mediocrity and boredom led her to establi…

Leonard Hoops is the President and CEO of Visit Indy, Indianapolis, Indiana's official destination management organization. He oversees the growth of central Indiana's convention, tourism, and event business, which contributes nearly $6 billion to the economy. Under his leadership, Indianapolis became a top city for conventions, with Visit Indy con…

Cody Worden is the Area Director of Sales and Marketing at Grand Hyatt Vail. With over two decades of experience, Cody has worked with hundreds of sales professionals, enriching his expertise and deepening his understanding of the sales industry. He’s been a sales and marketing leader at two key resorts in the Vail Valley. Cody is an outdoor enthus…

Lorna Bush is the Senior Vice-President at Fineman PR, a division of Off Madison Ave. With a specialization in brand PR, consumer marketing, and crisis communications, Lorna has extensive experience working in diverse sectors, from food and beverage brands to outdoor destinations to public health organizations. Her expertise includes crafting commu…

Matthew de Gruyter is the Co-founder and CEO of Next Level Burger, America's first 100% vegan and plant-based burger joint. Before delving into the world of vegan fast casual food, Matthew honed his professional acumen in private equity and venture capital, notably serving as an executive for oil and gas venture firms. His journey, from a US Marine…

Spike Stevens is Chief Technical Officer at LighthousePE, a behavior-based AI platform that creates one-to-one personalized messages and experiences in real-time at scale. He boasts a rich 25-year history in the marketing and advertising sector and has steered LighthousePE's design and technology since its onset. Spike's previous endeavors in marke…

Stan Adams is the Executive Director of Sports at Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports (TTS), where he strategizes ways to attract and host high-profile, revenue-generating sports events for the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He started his career in the sports tourism industry as an intern for TTS in 2015, then served as a sports marketing representative i…

Lee Marcum is the CEO of Jack’s Donuts, based in New Castle, Indiana. Founded by his grandfather in 1961, he is a third-generation owner of the business. Over the past decade, Lee led Jack’s transformation from a $250K-per-year single-store to a multimillion-dollar brand with more than 20 locations across the US. What you’ll learn in this episode: …

Jeremy Gursey is the President of Coffee Manufactory, a brand that’s goal is to make better coffee and make coffee better. His objective is to build a global brand that strives to perfect coffee roasting, tea production, and preparation. For several years, Jeremy served as the personal coffee chef for Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise. He also prepared c…

Allison Brown is the Director of Marketing at Discover Long Island. She uses her ability to deliver strategic solutions, drive consumer loyalty, and propel brand awareness to produce marketing initiatives that provide economic impact for the Long Island, New York area. Previously, Allison owned AGB Productions, a consulting firm she established tha…

Nicholas Falcone is the CEO of NDM Hospitality, which he founded in 2011 with a vision to become a multi-faceted hospitality, real estate, and technology conglomerate. He is an innovator and recognized leader in Florida’s tourism and hospitality industry by creating new ways to manage real estate and take vacations. Nicholas is also the CEO of Rent…

Andrew Jaffe is the Chief Marketing Officer at Snooze an A.M. Eatery, a highly disruptive restaurant concept that seeks to evolve the morning dining experience through culinary innovation, friendly service, and an eclectic and energetic atmosphere. During his time with Snooze, the brand has grown from 20 to more than 60 locations. With experience i…

Ryan Lynn is the Senior Vice President of Brand Development and Marketing at The Dirty Buffalo, an award-winning restaurant that was featured on both the Food Network and the Travel Channel. Ryan specializes in public relations, community engagement, media relations, and social media marketing in the restaurant and music industries. As an eight-yea…

Jarrett McGovern is the Chief Creative Officer and Co-founder of RISE Brewing Co., which started in the kitchen of his Manhattan Apartment. Founded in 2014, Jarrett’s mission was to create the best-tasting organic products on the planet and make them available to everyone. The brand has grown into a thriving company, and its beverages, including al…

Venae Watts is one of the two fifth-generation owners of Minerva Dairy, where she combines her aptitude for creating the richest, creamiest batch of butter with her knack for unmistakable branding and shrewd business instincts. She is responsible for overseeing production, sales strategy, and marketing. Thanks to Venae’s vision, the 128-year-old Mi…

Kathryn Moos is the Co-founder of OWYN, one of the fastest-growing plant-based health and nutrition companies in the US, whose name stands for “Only What You Need.” She is also the Managing Partner at Groundswell Ventures, which addresses critical problems in the areas of health and wellness and climate and sustainability. A former professional soc…

Steve Kraus is Founder and Partner at Press Coffee, which he and his wife, Tram Mai, launched in 2008. Their passion and commitment for great coffee built a loyal customer base, and Press Coffee’s care and preparation set it apart from the competition. Steve’s wife is a local news anchor in Phoenix, and they are parents to twins Zak and Zoey. What …

Steve Greer is the Chief Marketing Officer at Urban Plates, a chef-driven fast-casual restaurant chain in Southern California serving craveable and nutritious made-from-scratch plates, salads, sandwiches, and bowls. He uses creative and strategic thinking, extensive practical experience, and strong communication skills to engage a wide variety of i…

David Eha is the Director of National Accounts at Restaurant Technologies (RT). With 25 years in the restaurant business, he is responsible for developing new partnerships with industry leaders and national restaurant chains to provide automated systems for some of the worst back-of-the-house processes. In his role, David takes the lead in implemen…

Mindy Riesenberg is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Grand Canyon Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park. She has over two decades of experience as a leader in nonprofit marketing at major art museums across the US, including the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, The Walters Art Museum in Bal…

Zach Hempen is the Director of Digital Marketing at Your Pie Franchising. Born in 2008 in Athens, Georgia, Your Pie offers a pizza with a crust created through traditional brick oven cooking with unique toppings, including avocado, pickles, and peaches. In the marketing space for over a decade, Zack possesses sales, management, strategy, social med…

Greg Thomsen retired as Managing Director at agron, Inc., the exclusive licensed dealer for adidas products, at the beginning of 2023. Greg is an outdoor industry icon who earned the Lifetime Outdoor Retailer Inspiration Award from Outdoor Retailer in 2019 for inspiring countless generations to embrace the outdoors. With his accomplishments at Nike…

Jeff Grogg is the Founder and Managing Director of JPG Resources and the Founder and President of Snackwerks. Previously, he was a member of the executive team responsible for growing the Kashi cereal brand from $25 million to $750 million within nine years. He founded JPG Resources to help build businesses across the food industry. JPG works to pr…

Micha Magid is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue. A graduate of NYU Stern School of Business, Micha started his career as an Associate in the mergers and acquisitions department at JP Morgan Chase. He then moved on to the hedge fund industry and spent 10 years managing investments. What started as an investment later became a ful…

John Brunnquell is the President, CEO, and Founder of Egg Innovations, the nation’s largest exclusive originator of 100% free-range and pasture-raised eggs. At age 53, he earned a PhD in avian ethology — the study of bird behavior. A third-generation farmer, John is on a mission to make the world a better place for chickens, people, and the planet.…

Richard Bangs is the Chief Adventure Officer at Steller, the Chief Creative Officer at White Nile Media, and the Co-founder of Mountain Travel (MT) Sobek. He was part of the co-founding team at Expedia and served as its editor-at-large. Richard authored 19 books, including his most recent, The Art of Living Dangerously. In 2006, he launched a PBS s…

Jeff Fenster is the Founder and CEO of Everbowl, a San Diego-based acai bowl and juice chain that makes healthy superfoods accessible and affordable for everyone. Focused on disruptive start-ups, Jeff is a pioneer in the quick-serve restaurant category. Having established Everbowl in 2016, he is driving its growth nationwide through retail and fran…

Pete Levangie is the President and CEO of Bay State Milling Company, a business that provides access to healthy, delicious, and responsibly sourced and produced food ingredients. The company is 125 years old, spanning five generations of family ownership, with nearly $1 billion in sales. Over the last 30 years, Pete has accumulated a deep backgroun…

Roger Hurni is the Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Off Madison Ave. He brings a unique perspective as a behavior strategist, creative visionary, and branding expert to the clients he serves. Roger knows that unprecedented results are achieved by optimizing the three variables of human behavior. This basis is the foundation he uses to…

Betsy Hamm is the CEO at Duck Donuts, where she previously served as COO and Marketing Director. Known for her ability to motivate and engage teams to achieve positive results, Betsy leads the development and direction of Duck Donuts’ short and long-term goals, oversees and guides the day-to-day operations and marketing, and is in charge of financi…

Jonathan Weathington is the CEO of Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar. Starting out of a 960-square-foot former hair salon, the Shuckin’ Shack little beach bar hangout has expanded into seven states and multiple locations. Jonathan has been featured on television and in publications, including FSR, The Wall Street Journal, and Good Morning America. When he …

Paul Macaluso is the President and CEO of Another Broken Egg Cafe, a chef-inspired breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant with hand-crafted cocktails, spiked cold brews, mimosas, and a full bar. Before joining the team at Another Broken Egg in 2019, Paul held a variety of executive and senior-level positions throughout his 25-plus-year career and …

David Greenfeld is the Co-founder and CEO of Dream Pops, a plant-based, dairy-free, superfood popsicle in flavors like vanilla matcha, mango rosemary, and chocolate with lion's mane mushrooms. As an investment banker prone to late-night ice cream binges, David noticed a lack of ice cream options in the vegan section at the grocery store. As a belie…

Jeff Grass is Chairman and CEO at HUNGRY Marketplace. HUNGRY is an online marketplace that connects independent chefs with the office catering market and is the first platform to provide business catering and live events through a network of local chefs. As a four-time entrepreneur, Jeff is an engaged business leader motivated by big, game-changing…

Julie Wade is the Senior Director of Marketing at Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe. Her background includes franchise development, brand marketing, product development, and franchise relations in the food and beverage industry. At Taziki’s, Julie uses two decades of experience in advertising, strategic planning, marketing, and social media to elevate di…

Dan Shapiro is the CEO of Krispy Krunchy Foods. He started his career as a third-shift cashier at a convenience store and worked his way up the ranks by getting promoted simply because he always showed up on time. Taking a leap of faith, Dan joined Krispy Krunchy Foods, taking the company to the top of the nationwide quick-service food industry. Wh…

Chris Artinian is President and CEO at Condado Tacos. Established in 2014, Condado Tacos offers a full dining experience that includes tacos, margaritas, and tequilas at a great price. Adding to the 39 current locations, Chris has plans to open at least 12 new restaurants in 2023, of which six will be in new markets for the company, and by 2026 the…

Steve DiFillippo is the Owner and Chef of Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse. In 1985, when Steve was just 24, he purchased Davio’s when it was a family restaurant in Boston's trendy Back Bay. Across the US, from Boston to Texas, he's grown Davio's to 12 locations, becoming one of the country's most sought-after restaurants. That first restaurant …

Leo Chris Kasuya is the Director of Strategy and New Ventures at Irresistible Foods Group (IFG). IFG is a family of authentic food and beverage brands, and Leo’s role is to develop and execute strategic initiatives focused on the enterprise and operating its long-term growth and success. Leo leads acquisition and investment opportunities, internati…

Mike Evans is the Co-founder of Grubhub, which he started in his spare bedroom in 2002 and grew into the multi-billion-dollar online food delivery service that it is today. After going public as an IPO, Mike left the company in 2014. He then rode his bike across the US and began authoring Hangry: A Startup Journey, a memoir about founding Grubhub. …

Roger Hurni is the Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Off Madison Ave. He brings a unique perspective as a behavior strategist, creative visionary, and branding expert to the clients he serves. Roger knows that unprecedented results are achieved by optimizing the three variables of human behavior. This basis is the foundation he uses to…