FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Becky Paquette
Schafer Condon Carter
303-722-7063
WOMEN’S FOODSERVICE FORUM
ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP FOR 2008-2009
Linda Pharr, Chief Foodservice Relations Officer,
Batrus Hollweg International,
Elected WFF Chair
New WFF Board of Directors Elected
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 15,
2008)
– The Women’s Foodservice Forum’s
(WFF) new 2008 – 2009 executive committee leadership was just announced at the WFF Annual
Leadership Development Conference in Washington, D.C. Linda Pharr, Chief Foodservice
Relations Officer of Batrus Hollweg International, was elected chair of the organization. An active member since 1994, Pharr proudly serves
on the WFF Board of Directors and has volunteered on numerous WFF committees.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Linda as the
new WFF chair,” said Mary Bentley, WFF president. “She brings such insightful experience in
organizational effectiveness, a personal commitment to teambuilding and relationship nurturing
which in turn, has resulted in having a deep passion for results in all areas of her work. She will
be a key asset to the WFF organization as it celebrates its milestone 20
th anniversary.”
During her one-year term, Ms. Pharr’s goals are to
build on the WFF’s industry impact in gender-diversity while preparing the organization and
industry for the next generation of women leaders.
The Women’s Foodservice Forum also announced the
new WFF Executive Committee and WFF Board of Directors for 2008 – 2009. The following WFF
Board of Directors were named to the WFF Executive Committee:
Linda Pharr – WFF chair and chief foodservice relations officer of Batrus Hollweg
International;
Mary O’Broin, WFF chair-elect and vice president of marketing, Americas for
Unilever Foodsolutions;
Fritzi G. Woods, WFF vice chair and chief executive officer and president of
PrimeSource Foodservice Equipment, Inc.;
Maureen Hurley, WFF secretary and executive vice president and chief
administrative officer of Rich Products Corporation;
Lorna Donatone, WFF treasurer and president of the School Services Division for
Sodexo, Inc.
Other members of the executive committee
include:
Mary Bentley,
president of the Women’s Foodservice
Forum;
Mike Archer, president and chief operating officer of T.G.I. Friday’s USA;
Veena Puri, former senior vice president for ARAMARK Education;
Gretchen Sussman, former vice president of business development for Sara Lee
Foodservice; and
Carin Stutz, former executive vice president of operations for Applebee’s
International, Inc.
Others serving on the 2008 – 2009 WFF Board of Directors are as follows:
Doug Barber, senior vice president for restaurant operations at Cracker Barrel Old
Country Store;
Wendy Beck, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Whataburger,
Inc.;
Caroline Scranton Bell, founder, Scranton Bell Associates;
Debi Benedetti, certified executive coach, Beyond the Possible;
Jean Birch, former president of Romano’s Macaroni Grill;
Laurie Burns, president of Bahama Breeze;
Catherine Corley, vice president of marketing and insights for Sam’s Club;
John Flood, senior vice president of sales and marketing for King & Prince
Seafood Corporation;
Deb Fratrik, former chief operating officer of bd’s Mongolian Grill;
Dr. Debra Gmelin, corporate director for the Leadership Institute at Humana Inc.;
Chris Lowe, president of Coca-Cola North America’s FoodService Division;
Dr. Susan Mangels, president of Lexington College;
Joyce Mazero, partner and practice group leader for Haynes and Boone’s Franchise
and Distribution Group and Restaurant and Foodservice Industries Practice Group;
Lynette McKee, CFE and vice president of franchising and new business development
for Dunkin Brands;
Paul Moskowitz, executive vice president of human resources for the Dean Foods
Company;
Susan Nestegard, senior vice president and chief technical officer of
Ecolab;
Vivian Ross, vice president of labor relations for McDonald’s Corporation;
Thomas Sampson, senior vice president and president of Kraft North America
Foodservice Division;
Jane Sumner, vice president of PepsiCo Foodservice; and
Julie Swan, vice president, finance, specialty businesses for SYSCO
Corporation
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The Women’s Foodservice Forum is the premier leadership development
community for collective insights and connections that empower women in the Foodservice industry to
envision and achieve their highest potential. With more than 3,700 members from all segments of the
foodservice industry, including restaurant operations, manufacturing, distribution, publishing and
consulting, Women’s Foodservice Forum is committed to helping elevate women leaders. Through highly
beneficial keynote addresses and workshops at the Annual Leadership Development Conference,
Regional Connect events, mentoring and more, WFF provides members with the tools needed to make a
positive difference in their careers. For more information about Women’s Foodservice Forum, please
visit the website www.womensfoodserviceforum.com.