National Restaurant Association Names Industry Leader Kafarakis To New Senior Role In Innovation, Member Advancement

National Restaurant Association Names Industry Leader Kafarakis to New Senior Role in Innovation, Member Advancement

(Washington, D.C.) The National Restaurant Association is today announcing a new key member of its Executive Leadership team, Phil Kafarakis. Joining the association as its new Chief Innovation and Member Advancement Officer, Kafarakis has a proven record of leading business model transformation and global expansion for several major companies in the foodservice arena. In this new role at the National Restaurant Association, he will report directly to CEO Dawn Sweeney and will lead the evolution of the association's membership and marketing strategies. Kafarakis' role will focus on the expansion of partner products to improve member profitability, including the advancement of new insurance and workforce products.

Kafarakis steps into the position effective May 14.

Kafarakis' most recent experience was as Vice President, Food Service for McCormick & Co., where he was responsible for the launch of the McCormick for Chefs marketing platform. His background also includes senior roles with Cargill Incorporated, Aqua-Novus Corporation, Jones Dairy Farm and Kraft Foods Inc.

"Phil is widely known and respected throughout the world of foodservice and business for his innovative thought leadership and ability to grow businesses," said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. "We welcome him into this critical role at the National Restaurant Association, and look forward to his work to help continue to broaden the Association's strength and influence."

"I am tremendously excited about the opportunity to advance and contribute to the transformational work that the National Restaurant Association already has underway," said Kafarakis. "This is an outstanding leadership opportunity to make an impact and do work that really matters. It is a great privilege to continue to serve the industry that has given me so much."


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Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 980,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of more than 13 million employees. We represent the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocate on its behalf. We operate the industry's largest trade show (NRA Show May 18-21, 2013, in Chicago); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart); as well as the Kids LiveWell program promoting healthful kids' menu options. For more information, visit www.restaurant.org and find us on Twitter @WeRRestaurants, Facebook and YouTube.

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