OWNERSHIP TEAM
Dan Snyder - Since 2007
Snyder is Owner of the Washington Redskins football team and founder and Chairman Emeritus of inVentiv Health (NASDAQ: VTIV). His RedZone Capital Management Company LLC maintains the Johnny Rockets chain of restaurants, along with Dick Clark Productions and Coastal Luxury Management. Additionally, Snyder is founder and Managing Member of the Board of Red Zebra Broadcasting, LLC. He is a partner with Tom Cruise in Cruise/Wagner Productions, the actor's production company, and was an Executive Producer of Cruise's 2008 film "Valkyrie." Snyder is active in a variety of other private business ventures, both as an investor and as an advisor to management.
Dwight Schar - Since 2007
Schar is Co-Managing Director of RedZone Capital Management LLC and is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of NVR, Inc., the fifth-largest homebuilder in the United States. The company is comprised of the building operations of Ryan Homes and NVHomes. Also under the NVR umbrella is NVR Financial, which is comprised of NVR Mortgages and NVR Settlement Services. The company is based in Reston, Virginia, and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, Schar is a Co-owner of the Washington Redskins and on their Board of Directors. Schar has been extremely active in the greater Washington community, involved in numerous business and educational groups.
Norm Chirite - Since 2007
Managing Director of RedZone Capital Management Company LLC since 2006, and in such capacity is responsible for all investment and portfolio activities under the direction of the firm's founders. Mr. Chirite previously was a partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York City, where he practiced corporate law from 1987 until 2000. He served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Washington Football Inc. from 2002 until 2005. Mr. Chirite serves as Chairman of the Johnny Rockets Group, Inc. and as a director of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc., Dick Clark Productions Inc., Iogen Corporation, K-2 Pure LLC and a number of other privately held companies.
Joe Theismann - Since 2008
Entrepreneur and former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins, Theismann spent the last decades working for ESPN on their NFL broadcast and currently works for the NFL Network as an analyst broadcasting the Thursday Night NFL games and is co-host on the NFL Network show, Playbook. Since 1975, he has overseen the popular Washington DC restaurant that bears his name. A graduate of University of Notre Dame, Theismann is also a member of the Sports Advisory Board of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Chirs Guthrie - Since 2009
Chris Guthrie serves as a Principal of RedZone Capital which he joined in 2007. He provides financial oversight for the Fund's portfolio companies and serves as a director of The Johnny Rockets Group, Inc. Prior to joining RedZone Capital, Guthrie spent seven years with PricewaterhouseCoopers in its Transactions Services and Assurance groups where he led both due diligence and audit engagements. He received a BBA in Finance and a Masters in Accounting from the University of Texas and is a Certified Public Accountant.
John Fuller - Since 2010
President/CEO/CFO: Originally hired as the CFO of Johnny Rockets, in April 2008, Fuller previously managed business finances for restaurant companies that include Rubio's, Del Taco and CKE Restaurants. "My vision is to embrace our Guest-focused model that recognizes and addresses every level of customer within the organization, from the top down, and to bring greater market penetration by delivering the right Johnny Rockets concepts in the right locations." Fuller received a BA in Economics from UCLA and resides in Southern California. Assuming the President and CEO position just 11 months prior, he was featured in the international CBS hit series, "Undercover Boss," in December 2010.
Executive Team (By Last Name)
Marc Abenoja - Director, International Operations
An integral part of Johnny Rockets, since June 1993, Abenoja has vast experience with the brand. He served as a Certified Training Manager, for seven years, showing the ropes to hundreds of international and domestic restaurant managers. He was also a key element in the brand's successful expansion on the East Coast, including Florida, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Atlanta, Tennessee and Virginia, as well as what are now 11 restaurants on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships. From there, he became Johnny Rockets' District Manager for Florida and Tennessee, then Corporate Training Manager, in 2000. In that role, he revamped the entire training system for both hourly and management positions and created effective procedures for new restaurant openings. In his current position as Director of International Operations, Abenoja oversees day-to-day operations and has managed all training aspects of new openings in markets that include the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cyprus, Chile, Germany, Panama, Philippines and South Korea.
Chris Carver - SVP, Operations
With Johnny Rockets since July, 2007, Carver has held the Franchise Operations titles of Director, Executive Director and Vice President. He has worked diligently toward - and succeeded in - creating mutually beneficial relationships throughout the Johnny Rockets Franchise community and has been key in managing the effectiveness of the newly formed Franchise Leadership Council. Prior to joining the Company, Carver was an educator, franchisee and executive with brands that include Togo's and Allied Domecq, now Dunkin Brands. He holds Masters degrees in both psychology and education.
Steve Devine - SVP, International Development
Steve brings a multitude of experience with franchising and restaurant operations. He currently works with international franchise partners to develop their restaurants and territories through proven sales and operations methods, as well as effective brand building and leadership skills. His passion for guest satisfaction is reflected in his success with market development, training and the popularity of the Johnny Rockets experience, worldwide. Prior to joining Johnny Rockets, in 2001, Steve led restaurant operations for Sizzler, Wrapsters and Kenny Rogers Roasters.
Tim Hackbardt - SVP, Marketing
In his current position since January, 2010, Hackbardt was the founding partner of the White Barn Group, a strategic marketing agency based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, providing services to 30+ national and regional brands including multi-unit restaurant companies such as Dine Equity, Carlson Restaurants, Steak 'n Shake, Bob Evans Farms and BJ's Restaurants. Hackbardt also served as lead marketing executive for a variety of restaurant chains, including Vice President of Marketing for Rubio’s Restaurants, Inc. and Del Taco, Inc. He has worked for, or with, a total of 17 different restaurant brands ranging from fast food to premium casual dining concepts.
Alan Hinson - Executive Director, Legal Services and Secretary
Originally joined Johnny Rockets in November 2004 as Manager, Development Services. He was promoted to his current position in June 2008, and is responsible for preparing, reviewing and negotiating all franchise and development contracts for the company. He was elected Secretary of the Corporation in June 2008. Prior to joining Johnny Rockets, he served as Real Estate Contracts Manager for CKE Restaurants, Inc., for almost eight years.
Cozette Koerber - VP of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communications:
Koerber manages the reputation and overall voice of the Johnny Rockets brand. She also oversees the Public Relations, Internal Communications and Social Media activities for the Company and serves as its corporate spokesperson. Heralding from world-class lifestyle brands that include Jenny Craig, Sony, Domino's Pizza, Eddie Bauer and PETsMART, Koerber specializes in creating a cohesive tone and message platform for growing global companies.
David Kreizinger - Vice President, Finance
As of June, 2011, Kreizinger is responsible for monitoring and reporting the performance of the Company and oversees the Accounting and Human Resources departments. Kreizinger was the VP of Hotel Finance for Sunstone Hotel Properties, since October, 2005. Prior to that, he was Controller for Scantron Corporation and Edwards Theatres Management. He earned his CPA while with Ernst & Young and graduated from University of California Santa Barbara. Kreizinger currently lives in Irvine.
Ray Masters - SVP, Purchasing
After successfully contributing to the rapid growth and IPO of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Masters joined Johnny Rockets in June of 2010. He has made remarkable progress in upgrading the quality and safety of the Company's key raw materials, including ground beef and poultry, and he simultaneously consolidated and upgraded their global distribution network, spearheading the transition to a global distribution network. He also brings significant experience in the areas of manufacturing, restaurant operations and all areas of supply chain solutions.
Lacy Novell Morris - Executive Director, Information Technology
With Johnny Rockets, since 2008, Morris has been incremental in revamping and launching the Company's reporting and communication systems, gift and credit card programs, Web site overhaul, e-Commerce solutions and acquisition of valuable new hard and software to streamline operations. Prior to joining the Company, he spent 8 years at Rubio's Restaurants, first as Project Manager and then as Store Systems Technical Manager. He was also a Principal Developer at SkyPoint Technologies. Morris is a Multiple Industry Certified Solutions Expert, specializing in the development of Corporate Enterprise Systems and public website development. His 15 years of experience have proven beneficial to every department within the Johnny Rockets organization.
Paul Nishiyama - VP, Corporate Restaurant Operations
Nishiyama is a seasoned veteran of the restaurant industry, with over 21 years of experience, and oversees both Johnny Rockets' Company-owned restaurant operations and IT department. Before coming on board with Johnny Rockets in 2008, he was integral in growing the Rubios Restaurant chain from 2 stores to a successful 180 locations. He has helped develop Johnny Rockets IT systems by launching various, advanced software, hardware and telecom systems suitable for both corporate and franchise stores and became head of Company restaurants, in August 2011.
Cris Pangan - VP, Development
Under his direction, Johnny Rockets has made great strides in developing new floor plans and design standards for a variety of new venues. Since joining Johnny Rockets, in 2010, Pangan has cultivated relationships with and earned the respect of several key internal and external constituents. His 21 years of experience includes various domestic and international positions with Yum Brands, such as Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and Chevy's, as well as Asia Franchise Brands.
Terri Pattillo - Executive Director of Human Resources
Pattillo helps make Johnny Rockets the place Where the Good Times Roll daily. Through her strong leadership abilities and professionalism, Terri drives organizational vitality and facilitates company-wide problem solving strategies. Terri works closely with her management team to provide value added resources to all company employees and helps make everyday a Great Day at Johnny Rockets!
Brett Willis - Senior Vice President, Franchise Sales
Hired in May, 2011, Willis brings with him an impressive background within chains that include Arby's and Sonic Drive Ins. With those companies, Willis managed sales activities that resulted in numerous franchising and development agreements that led to hundreds of new restaurants. He earned his Bachelor of Business from Oklahoma State University and his MBA from University of Oklahoma.
