Stay Connected With the CRA & CRF Community

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is led by a group of dynamic restaurateurs and vendor partners who represent every type of restaurant our state has to offer – from single-unit independents to fast-food franchises – and the diverse communities they serve. The CRA Board of Directors is made up of individuals who not only successfully run their own businesses, but have volunteered countless hours of effective leadership to the CRA and its chapters, the Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF), and the industry as a whole. Our directors represent the very best of the hospitality industry in Colorado, and we thank them for their dedication.

2021-2022 CRA Board of Directors 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: Richard Schneider, Raquelitas Tortillas
• Treasurer: Laura McGinley, Wahoo’s Fish Taco
• Controller: Christopher Davis-Massey, ChoLon Restaurant Concepts
• 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
• 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 Wine & Spirits of Colorado
• Kenneth Monfort, Montfort Companies
• Todd A. Moore, Centerplate – A Sodexo Company
• Franco Pisani, Paravicini’s Italian Bistro / Sopra Antipasto Wine Bar
• Mark Stanley, Phantom Partners Corp. / Culver’s
• Melissa Strong, Bird & Jim
• Chris Weil, FOODMatch Inc.

The CRA has eight chapters across the state, through which members can network, share ideas, focus on local issues, host events and educational programming, and foster a strong community of industry leaders. Chapters work to support important local political initiatives, local schools, charities, and other worthwhile organizations.

Independently governed chapters are located in Denver (the Mile High Chapter), Boulder, Breckenridge, Durango, Northern Colorado, Pikes Peak, and Steamboat Springs; Telluride has a section. Do you operate in a region without a formal chapter or section? The CRA has you covered with statewide advocacy representation and events strategically focused on restaurant-rich areas.

Educating Tomorrow’s Industry Leaders Today

Established in 1987, the Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors made up of restaurants, industry experts, and K-12 and post-secondary hospitality educators. As the philanthropic foundation of the CRA, the CRF’s mission is the training and support of all individuals in the foodservice industry, as well as those individuals entering the industry.

Officers

• Chair: Beth Gruitch, Crafted Concepts
• Vice Chair: Richard Schneider, Raquelitas Tortillas
• VP Fundraising Committee/Vice Chair Elect: Chris Weil, FOODMatch Inc.
• VP Education Committee: David Coder, Sysco Denver
• VP Health & Wellness Committee: Justin Adrian, Roadhouse Hospitality Group
• Secretary: Melissa Brooks, Breckenridge Wynkoop
• Treasurer: Lauren Roberts, Watercourse and City O’ City
• Executive Director: Sonia Riggs, CRA President & CEO
• President: Laura Shunk, CRF President

Directors

• Christine Chassen, Event Specialists, Inc.
• 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
• Nikki Kolakowski, Eclectic Activation
• Karen Kristopeit-Parker, The Butchery
• Amie Mayhew, Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association
• Lauren O’Brien, ChoLon Restaurant Concepts
• Anthony Ochoa, Buckhead Beef
• Maureen Pearman, Skyport Hospitality
• Lauren Feder Rosenberg, Blackbelly and Santo
• Sherise Velasquez-Chew, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits