FSTEC NexGen announced the appointment of nearly 30 foodservice technology leaders to its Advisory Board April 15. Advisory Board members represent a cross-section of industry experts and include an experienced mix of restaurant chain and foodservice management executives, educators, and industry media professionals whose role is to shape the conference program and overall event experience. FSTEC NexGen, the industry’s only all-inclusive technology education and networking event, is being held September 22-24 at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“We’re very pleased to have the backing of these industry leaders with the goal to deliver a superior event,” says Rob Grimes, chairman and chief executive of FSTEC. “Having these minds support and provide their expertise will ensure we create a valuable experience while delivering relevant technology education and true business opportunities.”
Board members support the show via formal and informal meetings as well as in-person by attending the event. Jeff Chasney, executive vice president of Strategic Planning and chief information officer for CKE Restaurants Inc. commented, “I look forward to serving on the FSTEC Advisory Board each year because my feedback is carefully weighed to ensure FSTEC tackles issues directly affecting the foodservice industry. Together with the vendors participating in the showcase, I leverage my FSTEC experience to build a strong strategic vision for my technology needs that allow me to continually implement innovation in my organization.”
Foodservice Operators board members are: Steve Barrow – Luby’s Fuddruckers Restaurants, Vice President, Information Systems; Karen Bird – Buffalo Wild Wings, Vice President, Information Technology; Jeff Chasney – CKE Restaurants Inc., Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning & Chief Executive Officer; Jack Clare – Dunkin Brands International, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer; Amy Cross – ARAMARK, Chief Information Officer, Sports, Leisure & Corrections; John Doyle – Ruby Tuesday, Inc., Vice President, Information Technology Corporate and Restaurant Systems; Jeff Gengler – Papa Murphy’s International, Vice President, Business Technology; Kelly Maddern – Burger King Corporation, Chief Information Officer; Darla Morse – SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Chief Information Officer; Patti Reilly-White – Darden Restaurants, Chief Information Officer; Jim Sappington – The McDonald’s Corporation; Corporate Senior Vice President & Global Chief Information Officer; Steve Schell – Starbucks Corporation, Vice President, Retail Technology & Enterprise Collaboration; Joe Tenczar – Hard Rock Café, Chief Information Officer; Don Vietti – Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Vice President, Retail Technology & Enterprise Collaboration; Rob Watkins – Compass Group North America, Chief Information Officer; and Don Zimmerman – The Wendy’s Company, Chief Information Officer.
Educators/Media/Associations include: Ron Blum, M.S. – Johnson & Wales University, Faculty Advisor; Cihan Cobanoglu, Ph.D., CHTP – University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee, Dean, College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership; Fred DeMicco, Ph.D. – University of Delaware, Professor & ARAMARK Chair, Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management; Mehmet Erdem, Ph.D., CHTP – University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Director of Hospitality Technology & Innovation; Joe Finizio – Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) President & Chief Executive Officer; Mike Kasavana, Ph.D., CHTP – Michigan State University, NAMA Endowed Professor in Hospitality Business; Alan Liddle – Nation’s Restaurant News, Managing Editor, Special Projects; Toby Malbec – ConStrata Technology Consulting, Managing Director; David Matthews, National Restaurant Association, Executive Vice President, Innovation & Membership Advancement; Peter Nyheim – The Pennsylvania State University, Senior Instructor in Hospitality Management, School of Hospitality Management; Ron Paul – Technomic, President & Chief Executive Officer; Peter Romeo – CSP Information Group, Vice President, Foodservice Group; and Rick Van Warner – Parquet Public Affairs, Senior Partner & Principal.
Formerly the popular FSTEC, the new FSTEC NexGen is the only cross-segment technology event that focuses on an exchange of ideas and best practices in a relaxed setting that delivers top-notch, relevant technology-focused education, networking, and a vendor technology showcase.
