COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 12, 2018) – Restaurant and foodservice industry leaders and representatives gathered last week in Columbus to celebrate the installation of Sam Lindsley of Michael Symon Restaurants as the 90th Chairman of the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA).
"I'm incredibly humbled and thrilled for this opportunity to be the at the helm of Ohio's restaurant and foodservice industry. This is going to be an exciting chapter for all of us as we move forward together, " Lindsley said, who for 10 years was chief operating officer of Michael Symon Restaurants — a Cleveland-based restaurant company with seven concepts, 18 restaurants and annual sales of $35 million.
Lindsley continues today as Director of Consult with Michael Symon Restaurants and is specializing in food and beverage consulting and executive search with Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace.
Previously, Lindsley spent nine years with Hospitality Restaurants in Cleveland, where he was general manager of the Blue Point Grille. He also worked at The Cleveland Athletic Club, The Country Club in Pepper Pike and Muirfield Village Golf Club.
"The ORA will benefit from his insights into the restaurant and foodservice industry, as well as his passion for hospitality. Our staff is excited about working with Sam as we ascend from a good association to a great group of consultants focused on promoting, protecting and partnering with our members to help them succeed in their businesses and beyond," said ORA President & CEO John Barker.
Lindsley will serve in his role as Chairman through June of 2020.
In addition to Lindsley's installation, several new board members were inducted, and several changes were made in the Executive Committee. Sheila Trautner of Taste Hospitality Group, assumed the role of Vice Chairman while 2016-2018 Chairman Jamie Richardson of White Castle System, Inc., now serves as the association's Immediate Past Chairman. Mike Haunert of Sysco Cincinnati remains Treasurer while Gary Callicoat of Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern moves into the leadership role of Secretary.
President & CEO Julius Dorsey of Dorsey & Co. in Cleveland, Co-owner Prakash Karamchandani of Balance Pan Asian Grille in Toledo, Attorney Kerry Boyle of Isaac Wiles Law Firm in Columbus, Manager of Public Affairs Blaire Luciano of Wendy's in Columbus and Assistant Vice President Jeffery Hundt of Ecolab in Cleveland were each inducted to the board for a three-year term.
From left to right: Jamie Richardson of White Castle, Sam Lindsley of Michael Symon Restaurants and John Barker of the Ohio Restaurant Association.
About the Ohio Restaurant Association
For nearly 100 years, The Ohio Restaurant Association is the leading business trade association promoting, protecting and partnering with Ohio’s $20.9 billion restaurant and foodservice industry. The ORA represents the third-largest private sector employer in the state, including 22,000 locations and more than 575,000 employees, and helps members build customer loyalty, rewarding careers and financial success with a range of services and thought leadership. For more information, visit ohiorestaurant.org.
