(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is thrilled to announce their new 2017 Chairman of the Board and 2017 Executive Committee for the current calendar year. Beginning on January 1, Don Fox, Chief Executive Officer for Firehouse of America, LLC, will serve as FRLA’s 2017 Chairman of the Board. Fox will preside over the FRLA, one of the state’s largest trade associations, representing more than 10,000 members in the hospitality industry.
Fox is Chief Executive Officer of Firehouse of America, LLC, in which he leads the strategic growth of Firehouse Subs, one of America’s leading fast casual restaurant brands. Under his leadership, the brand has grown to more than 1,040 restaurants in 44 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, and is recognized as one of the best franchises in the country. Fox sits on various boards of influence in the restaurant community, and is a respected speaker, commentator, and published author. He was recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as 2011’s Operator of the Year. In 2013, he received the prestigious Silver Plate Award from the International Food Manufacturers Association (IFMA), was recognized by FastCasual.com as the No.1 Executive in the fast-casual restaurant community, and received the National Restaurant Association’s Advocacy Leadership Award.
“Don Fox is a proven leader, with decades of restaurant experience and tremendous passion for the hospitality industry. FRLA is truly fortunate to welcome such a distinguished trailblazer to lead our association through 2017. With Chairman Fox at the helm, and our extremely proficient 2017 Executive Committee, I am confident Florida’s hospitality industry will overcome diverse challenges and enjoy numerous achievements in the year ahead,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
“I am so humbled for the opportunity serve as the Chairman of Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality trade association and excited to collaborate with several accomplished industry peers. My priority focus for the year is to motivate members of our association, and operators in the restaurant community, to concentrate on their team members and employees who really make the industry run. My overall goal will be to protect the industry from burdensome government regulations and to preserve Florida’s competitive edge as the leading destination for more than 106 million visitors,” said Don Fox, CEO of Firehouse of America, LLC and 2017 FRLA Chairman of the Board.
FRLA congratulates the following 2017 Executive Board Members:
| 2017 FRLA Executive Committee | ||
| Don Fox | Chairman | Firehouse of America, LLC, Jacksonville |
| Kevin Speidel | Vice Chair | Hilton Worldwide, Fort Lauderdale |
| Chau Nguyen | Secretary-Treasurer | Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, Orlando |
| Olivia Hoblit | Director 2016-17 | Seaside Amelia Inn, Amelia Island |
| Alan Palmieri | Director 2017-18 | Marlow’s Tavern, Orlando |
| Sheldon Suga | Director 2017-18 | Hawk’s Cay Resort, Duck Key |
| Lino Maldonado | Immediate Past Chair | Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Fort Walton Beach
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Learn more about the 2017 FRLA Executive Committee here.