The Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) is pleased to announce the organization’s Board of Directors for 2024. Officers from 2023 have committed to continue serving in 2024 with the transition of newly appointed president and CEO Stephanie Fischer. The executive committee includes board chair Justin Triplett, president and CEO for MBC Concessions; past chair Hank Clark, vice president of operations for Marlow’s Tavern and the Woodall; vice chair Alexis Kinsey, co-founder for Fork U Concepts; newly appointed treasurer Mike Dixon, chief financial officer for GoTo Foods; and secretary Joseph Hsiao, founder of H Restaurant Group.
“I’m honored to continue serving as the board chair for the GRA,” says Justin Triplett, GRA board chair. “Over the years, we have seen the association grow in depth and breadth, reflecting the dynamic landscape of Georgia’s restaurant industry. My dedication to this sector is rooted in a deep understanding of its challenges and opportunities, and I’m committed to fostering a community where every member can thrive.”
The GRA also welcomes 12 new board members for 2024, consisting of restaurateurs and industry leaders:
Paul Baldasaro, chief operating officer for Taco Mac: Baldasaro has more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Throughout his career, he has helped develop and grow casual dining brands. He most recently served as president and CEO of Hickory Tavern, a 25-unit sports bar brand based in Charlotte, where he led an operational transformation, successfully navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic, stabilized employee turnover and improved same-store sales. Baldasaro also served as COO for two Atlanta-based restaurant companies: Mellow Mushroom and Buckhead Life Restaurant Group. He joined Taco Mac at a time of rapid growth and opened three restaurants in 2023, including Macon and Dawsonville in Georgia and Pelham, Alabama. *Baldasaro previously served on the board from 2012–2015 and served as board…
Read the full article here
