The Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation, led by active Boards of Directors and several impactful committees, supports eight chapters across the state. These industry leaders host events and meetings throughout Colorado, fostering community connection and deepening relationships for the benefit of all local restaurants and allied partners. We invite you to join our community today!
Colorado Restaurant Association Board of Directors
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.
Interested in being considered for a leadership role? Reach out to Sonia Riggs, President & CEO, today!
Interested in presenting to the CRA/CRF Board of Directors?
2022-2023 CRA Board of Directors leadership includes:
Executive Committee
- Chair: Daniel Ramirez, Ramirez Hospitality Group
- Immediate Past Chair: Beth Gruitch, Crafted Concepts
- Vice Chair Government Affairs/Chair Elect: Marc Steron, Shanahan’s Steakhouse
- Vice Chair, Communication: Peter Hoglund, Frasca Hospitality Group
- Vice Chair, Convention & Events: Dana Query, Big Red F Restaurant Group
- Vice Chair, Membership: Carrie Hart, Snooze, an AM Eatery
- Vice Chair, At Large: Jason Gumer, Monarch Casino Blackhawk
- Vice Chair, At Large: Aileen Reilly, Apple Blossom and Coperta
- Vice Chair, Colorado Restaurant Foundation: Chris Weil, FOODMatch, Inc.
- Controller: Laura McGinley, Wahoo’s Fish Taco
- Treasurer: Sam Aghbashian, Watercourse Foods, City, O’City, Make, Believe Bakery
- Secretary: Andy Quarm, Republic National Distributing Company
- CRA President & CEO: Sonia Riggs
Elected Directors
- Mark Brinkerhoff, Brinkerhoff Hospitality
- Todd Clark, Matsuhisa Colorado
- Catherine Cooney, Cooney Consulting & Recruiting
- Christopher Davis-Massey, ChoLon Restaurant Concepts
- Adam Deutschmann, Bargreen Ellingson
- David Driscoll, Broadmoor Resort
- Ryan Fletter, Barolo Grill
- Jason Ganahl, G-Que Barbeque & Ice Cream Farm
- Patrick Hartnett, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- John Imbergamo, The Imbergamo Group, Inc.
- Heidi Klein, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Colorado
- Jason Lessnau, SOMIP inc. DBA McDonalds
- Kenneth Monfort, Montfort Companies
- Franco Pisani, Paravicini’s Italian Bistro and Sopra Antipasto Wine Bar
- Rob Rita, US Foods
- Dana Rodriguez, Work & Class, Super Mega Bien, Cantina Loca, Casa Bonita
- Rich Schneider, Raquelitas Tortillas
- Mark Stanley, Phantom Partners Corp. (Culver’s)
Colorado Restaurant Association Chapters
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.
Mile High Chapter Learn more
Durango Learn more
Breckenridge Learn more
Boulder County Learn more
Steamboat Springs Learn more
Pikes Peak Learn more
Telluride Learn more
Northern Colorado Learn more
Boulder County Chapter
2023 Officers
President
Alicia Harmon, Frasca Hospitality Group
Vice President
Petey Helm, Concepts Restaurants
Secretary
Vacant
Treasurer
Joseph Self, Food Safety Heroes
Breckenridge Chapter
2023 Officers
President
TJ Messerschmitt, Fatty’s Pizzeria
Vice President
Anthony Bulfin, Salt Creek Steakhouse & Club
Secretary
Dick Carleton, MiCasa Mexican Restaurant
Treasurer
Dick Carleton, Hearthstone
Durango Chapter
2023 Officers
President
Joel Hayes, Steamworks Brewing Co.
Vice President
Vacant
Secretary
Tori Ossola, The Mahogany Grille
Treasurer
Seanan Culloty, Manna Culinary
Mile High Chapter
2023 Officers
President
Patrick Hartnett, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Vice President
Josh Becerra, The One Group
Secretary
Tori Mateer, KTM Restaurant Group
Treasurer
Catherine Cooney, Cooney Consulting & Recruiting
Northern Colorado Chapter
2023 Officers
President
Robert Duran, Blue Agave Grill
Vice President
Jeff Brown, The Still Whiskey Steaks
Treasurer
Christy Taylor, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
Secretary
Vacant
Pikes Peak Chapter
2023 Officers
President
Rebecca Taraborelli, Rasta Pasta
Vice President
Jenny Sherman, Odyssey Gastropub
Secretary
Ben Word, Ben E. Keith Foods
Treasurer
Mallory Cullen, Outback Steakhouse
Steamboat Springs Chapter
2023 Officers
President
Nick Sharp, Rex’s Family of Restaurants
Vice President
Patrick Funk, Destination Hospitality
Secretary
Mark Stanford, Truffle Pig
Treasurer
Hannah Hopkins, Besame and Mambo
Telluride Section
2023 Officers
President
Lucas Price, La Cocina de Luz
Secretary
Neal McKinely, Baked in Telluride
Colorado Restaurant Foundation Board of Directors
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.
Executive Committee
- Chair: Daniel Ramirez, Ramirez Hospitality Group
- Vice Chair: Chris Weil, FOODMatch Inc.
- Vice President, Fundraising: Ashley Hoffman, Restaurants of America
- Vice President, Education: Rich Schneider, Raquelitas Tortillas
- Vice President, Health & Wellness: Melissa Brooks, Breckenridge Wynkoop
- Vice President, At Large: Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar and Taco Party
- Controller: Lauren Roberts, Watercourse and City O’ City
- Secretary: Mallory Cullen, Outback Steakhouse
- Treasurer: Emily Biederman, Secret Sauce F&B
- Executive Director: Sonia Riggs, CRA President & CEO
- President: Laura Shunk, CRF President
Elected Directors
- Justin Adrian, Vibe Concepts
- Truett ‘Blaine’ Bailey, In the Weeds
- Kevin Burke, The Culinary Creative Group
- Audra Dunleavy, Cherry Creek Innovation Campus
- Jenifer Freeman, Swire Coca-Cola
- David Goetz, Service Systems Associates
- Nikki Kolakowski, Eclectic Activation
- Karen Kristopeit-Parker, The Butchery
- Heather Lundy Nelson, Khesed Wellness
- Dr. Eric Olson, School of Hospitality, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Luis Ramirez, Ramirez Hospitality Group
- Julie Stone, Work Options
