News

Pizza restaurateur chairs NRA education arm

January 25, 2018

Metro Pizza co-founder and owner Sam Facchini has been appointed chair of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. The announcement came as the NRAEF swore in new officers to its boards of directors and  trustees. Facchini is among numerous brand leaders selected to fill leadership roles with the largest restaurant organization in the U.S. today.  

A separate news release said that Jay Stieber, who serves as EVP and general counsel for multibrand operator Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, will chair the National Restaurant Association board. 

The NRA board has approximately 60 voting directors from all areas of U.S. foodservice. The body collectively guides the NRA in its actions. 

NRA board officers include the new vice chair, Wolfgang Puck Worldwide CEO Joe Essa and the new treasurer, Galatoire's Restaurants President and CEO Melvin Rodriguez. Other newly elected directors include: 

• Norman Abdallah, CEO, Del Frisco's Restaurant Group, Southlake, Texas
• Mike Axiotis, President, Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group, Allentown, Pa. (Red Robin franchisee)
• Genna Gent, Vice President, U.S. Government Relations, McDonald's Corp. in Washington, D.C.
• Steve Johnson, President and CEO, HMSHost Corp., Bethesda, Md.

 Aside from Facchini, NRAEF has installed new vice chair Roark Capital Group Managing Director Geoff Hill and treasurer, Louisiana Restaurant Association President and CEO Stan Harris.

In addition, the NRAEF added these newly elected trustees:

• Roger Kaplan, founder, RK Innovation, Dallas, Texas
• Curtis Wilson, Vice President and General Manager – National Client Group, American Express Company, New York City