Leading Executives in Catering Services
Palmer Brown
President & CEO, North America. , Compass Group North America
Became CEO of Compass Group North America on December 1, 2023, leading the region for the world’s largest contract catering company following Gary Green’s retirement.
Company bio | Company (US) leadership
Andy Lansing
CEO, Levy. , Levy (Compass Group)
Longtime head of sports and entertainment caterer Levy, which serves 200+ venues across North America; credited with decades of growth under Compass Group ownership.
Company leadership | Levy site
Ed Brown
Chief Executive Officer. , Restaurant Associates (Compass Group)
Chef-turned-executive who became CEO of Restaurant Associates in 2022, steering premier corporate, cultural and events catering nationwide.
Company bio | Compass leadership
Fedele Bauccio
Chief Executive Officer & Cofounder. , Bon Appétit Management Company (Compass Group)
Industry icon and sustainability pioneer who co-founded BAMCO and championed farm-to-fork sourcing and climate-forward policies across 1,000+ cafés.
Company leadership | Company overview
Tony McDonald
Chief Executive Officer. , Eurest (Compass Group)
Leads Compass’s flagship business & industry dining brand in the U.S., winning global clients and elevating sustainability and workplace dining experiences.
Company leadership | Eurest news
Nathalie Bellon‑Szabo
Global CEO, Sodexo Live!. , Sodexo Live! (Sodexo)
Global chief of Sodexo’s events, sports and leisure brand, integrating Centerplate and delivering hospitality for iconic venues and mega‑events worldwide.
Global leadership | Sodexo corporate
Belinda Oakley
Chief Executive Officer, North America. , Sodexo Live! North America
Took the helm in 2023 and leads 20,000+ team members across 150+ stadiums, convention centers and attractions in the U.S. and Canada.
North America leadership | Announcement
Alison Birdwell
President. , Aramark Sports + Entertainment
Heads Aramark’s stadiums, arenas and attractions business; known for bringing frictionless tech and local flavors to fan dining at scale.
Division site | Aramark S&E (article w/ quote)
Jamie Obletz
Group President, Sportservice, Patina Group & U.K. , Delaware North Sportservice & Patina Group
Oversees Delaware North’s sports hospitality division and Patina Restaurant Group, guiding strategy for 50+ U.S. venues and premium restaurant/catering brands.
Newsroom profile | Leadership release
John (JK) Kolaski
President. , Patina Group (Delaware North)
Veteran hospitality builder leading Patina’s rebrand and growth across Disney, Lincoln Center, Empire State Building and marquee event catering.
Company bio | Appointment release
Tom Funk
President, Hospitality. , Legends
Appointed in 2024 to lead Legends’ global hospitality businesses spanning venue concessions, premium clubs/suites and catering.
Press release | Trade coverage
Shervin Mirhashemi
Chief Executive Officer. , Legends
Chief executive of the global premium experiences company expanding into venue management (ASM Global) while scaling integrated catering, retail and premium services.
Company profile | Background (wiki)
Paul Fairhead
Chief Executive Officer. , Guckenheimer (ISS)
Former chef leading ISS’s corporate dining brand in North America; recognized for cutting food waste 50%+ and pushing plant‑forward programs.
Pamela Brunson
President. , Wolfgang Puck Catering
Newly noted as President in 2025; drives premium special‑events and workplace catering including the Oscars Governors Ball with Wolfgang Puck’s team.
Press (partnership) | Company LinkedIn
Liz Neumark
Founder & Chief Executive Officer. , Great Performances
Founder‑CEO of NYC’s leading boutique caterer; sustainability champion (Katchkie Farm) with exclusive cultural venue partnerships and major gala credentials.
Adam Noyes
Chief Executive Officer. , Proof of the Pudding
Heads one of the Southeast’s largest event, sports and convention caterers, expanding at PGA tournaments, arenas and D1 college venues.
Company team page | Company news
Eric Michael
President & Creative Director. , Occasions Caterers (Compass Group JV brand)
Co‑founder who serves as president/creative director of one of Washington, DC’s most sought‑after high‑end off‑premise caterers.
Profile/press | Company contact
Susan Lacz
Principal & Chief Executive Officer. , Ridgewells Catering
Principal‑CEO of the 95‑year‑old DC powerhouse behind presidential inaugurations and city‑defining galas; led expansion into venue management at the Mellon Auditorium.
Company leadership | Company press
Maximilien Pellegrini
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. , Elior North America
Installed as CEO (May 10, 2024) to accelerate growth of Elior’s U.S. catering brands spanning cultural institutions, events and corporate dining.
Elior NA leaders | Appointment release
Warren Thompson
Chairman & President. , Thompson Hospitality (strategic partner to Compass Group)
Leads the largest minority‑owned foodservice and catering company in the U.S.; 25+ year strategic partner to Compass, expanding diverse‑supplier impact in contract dining and catering.
Compass + Thompson (overview) | Thompson Hospitality JV site
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