The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is led by individuals actively involved in our industry. The people who serve as directors have not only successfully run their own businesses, but have volunteered countless hours in effective leadership within the CRA and the Colorado Restaurant Foundation. The directors represent the hospitality industry in Colorado, and we thank them for their dedication. 

Interested in being considered for a leadership role? Reach out to Sonia Riggs, President & CEO @ sriggs@corestaurant.org

2021-2022 Leadership includes:

Executive Committee

• Chair, Beth Gruitch, Crafted Concepts
• Immediate Past Chair, Scott Engelman, SEAdvisors, Truffle Pig, Carl's Tavern
• Vice-Chair Government Affairs/Chair Elect, Daniel Ramirez, Los Dos Potrillos
• Vice-Chair Communication, Dana Query, Big Red F Restaurant Group
• Vice-Chair Convention & Events, Aileen Reilly, Apple Blossom and Coperta
• Vice-Chair Membership, Rayme Rossello, Comida
• Vice-Chair At Large, Rick Stucy, Wheeler Restaurant Group, LLC (Burger King)
• Vice-Chair At Large, Marc Steron, Shanahan's Steakhouse
• Vice-Chair Colorado Restaurant Foundation, Rich Schneider, Raquelitas Tortillas
• Treasurer, Laura McGinley, Wahoo's Fish Taco
• Controller, Kenneth Monfort, Monfort Companies 
• Secretary, Jason Gumer, Monarch Casino Blackhawk
• CRA President & CEO, Sonia Riggs

Directors

• Mark Brinkerhoff, Brinkerhoff Hospitality
• Clay Caldwell, Mo' Betta Gumbo
• Todd Clark, Matsuhisa Colorado
• Catherine Cooney, Cooney Consulting & Recruiting
• Adam Deutschmann, Bargreen Ellingson
• Ryan Fletter, Barolo Grill
• Jason Ganahl, GQue BBQ & Ice Cream Farm
• Troy Guard, TAG Restaurant Group
• Carrie Hart, Snooze AM Eatery
• Peter Hoglund, Frasca Hospitality Group
• Greg Howard, Patty Jewett Bar & Grill
• John Imbergamo, The Imbergamo Group, Inc.
• Heidi Klein, Southern Glazer's Wiine & Spirits of Colorado
• Todd A. Moore, Centerplate - A Sodexo Company
• Franco Pisani, Paravicini's Italian Bistro / Sopra Antipasto Wine Bar
• Larry Reinerth, Reinerth Enterprises Inc. 
• Rayme Rossello, Comida
• Mark Stanley, Phantom Partners Corp. (Culver's)
• Melissa Strong, Bird & Jim
• Chris Weil, FOODMatch Inc.

Chapter/Section Presidents

• Boulder County, Tony Milazzo, Sundown Saloon
• Breckenridge, TJ Messerschmitt, Twist / Relish
• Durango, David Woodruff, El Moro Spirits & Tavern
• Mile High, Ashley Hoffman, Restaurants of America
• Northern Colorado, Skip Bassett, Culver's
• Pikes Peak, Travis Blaney, Streetcar 520
• Steamboat Springs, Nick Sharp, Rex's Family of Restaurants
• Telluride, Lucas Price, La Concina de Luz

Past Chairs

• KC Gallagher, Little Pub Company
• Tom Carlson, Cool River Coffee House
• Paul Aylmer, Epicurean Group
• John Beck, Texas Roadhouse
• Doug Besant, Zephyr FDB, LLC
• Rob Dawe, Lansdowne Arms
• Tom Flanagan
• Robert Hahn, Asset Sources
• Rob Haimson, Magnum Properties, LLC
• Steve Kanatzar, The Airplane Restaurant
• Chase Kintz, Big Cheese Colorado, Inc.
• Karen Kristopeit-Parker, The Fresh Fish Company
• Matt Larson, Kenny’s Steak House
• Tom Lund
• Joseph Madril
• Dennis McCann, J.D.’s Bait Shop & Sports Grill
• Mark Moses, Outback Steakhouse
• Ed Novak, Zane's Bistro
• Brian G. O’Rourke, Modern Real Estate
• Steve Passow, Steve Passow Agency, LLC
• Gary Prell, Centerplate
• Craig Reed, The Broadmoor
• Mark Valente, Sanborn and Co. 
• Tom Walls, Trinity Grille
• Roland Wayment
• Richard Weil, National Restaurant Consultants
• Rich Yoke, Egg & I

Director Emeritus

• H.A. Andy Divine, University of Denver
• Tom Garrett
• Jerry Goodwin
• Ed McCallum
• Mike Nemeth
• Eddie Robinson, Robinson Management
• Alan Seidenfeld, Parliament Hills Vineyards Ranch

Exchange Directors

• Colorado Tourism Office, National Restaurant Association, Sonia Riggs, CRA
• Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association, Amie Mayhew

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Colorado Restaurant Foundation Board of Directors

Officers

• Chair, Beth Gruitch, SEAdvisors, Truffle Pig, Carl's Tavern
• Vice Chair, Rich Schneider, Raquelitas Tortillas
• VP Fundraising Committee, Sherise Velasquez-Chew, Souther Glazer's Wine & Spirits
• Education Committee, OPEN
• Secretary/Treasurer, Chris Weil, FOODMatch Inc.
• President, Laura Shunk, Ex-Officio
• Executive Director, Sonia Riggs, Ex-Officio
• President, Laura Shunk

Directors

• Justin Adrian, Roadhouse Hospitality Group
• Melissa Brooks, Breckenridge Wynkoop
• Christine Chassen, Event Specialists, Inc.
• Dave Coder, Sysco Denver
• Mallory Cullen, Outback Steakhouse
• Jorge de la Torre, Kitchen Network
• Audra Dunleavy, ProStart Teacher, Grandview High School
• Jenifer Freeman, Swire Coca-Cola
• David Goetz, Service Systems Associates
• Troy Guard, TAG Restaurant Group
• Greg Howard, Patty Jewett Bar & Grill
• Steve Kanatzar, The Airplane Restaurant
• Andrea Knight, The Noshery
• Nikki Kolakowski, Eclectic Activation 
• Karen Kristopeit-Parker
• Amie Mayhew, Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association
• Lauren O'Brien
• Anthony Ochoa, Buckhead Beef
• Maureen Pearman, Skyport Hospitality
• Lauren Rapp, TwoParts Events
• Lauren Roberts, Watercourse, City O' City
• Lauren Feder Rosenberg, Blackbelly Market & Santo