Tell us about your career journey 

I’ve spent more than 30 years in the restaurant industry, which means I’ve seen just about everything—from packed dining rooms and grand openings to surprise equipment breakdowns and snowstorms. I started on the front lines and worked my way into leadership, and today I’m fortunate to serve as COO and Partner of Doro Restaurant Group. Every day brings a new challenge, which is probably why I still haven’t gotten bored. 

What do you enjoy most about leading operations? 

I enjoy solving problems before most people even know they exist. Operations is a lot like conducting an orchestra—except occasionally the violin is on fire; the drummer called out sick, and someone forgot to order the avocados. 

How would you describe your leadership philosophy? 

Work hard, be accountable, treat people with respect, and never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. Also, if there’s a problem, I’d rather hear about it early than read about it in a Google review. 

What are you most passionate about when it comes to building great teams? 

Finding great people and helping them grow. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone start in one role and develop into a leader. Great teams aren’t built by accident—they’re built through trust, support, and occasionally a few difficult conversations.