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CONNECTING THE CHART MEMBER COMMUNITY
SPICY SUMMER NEWS JULY/AUGUST 2025
VISIONARY TRAINERS TRANSFORMING HOSPITALITY
Leading with Purpose, Growing with Heart
2025 Commitment to People Recipient
Larry Ryback CEO, Jim ‘N Nick’s Community BBQ When Larry Ryback became CEO of Jim ‘N Nick’s Community BBQ five years ago, he didn’t arrive with sweeping changes. He arrived with curiosity. He listened. He asked questions. He learned what made the company’s culture so deeply rooted—and how it could grow without losing its soul. This respectful, people-first approach has become a hallmark of Larry’s leadership, and it’s still shaping every corner of the organization. “Two things set us apart: passionate team members and authentic food.” This clear, consistent message from Larry isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s a true north that connects every team member to the brand’s purpose. His belief in doing the basics with excellence, paying attention to the details, and staying consistent over time has helped build a culture that’s both high-performing and deeply rooted in Southern hospitality and scratch-made food. “We don’t have expenses. We have investments.” Larry’s long-term vision has also guided strategic investments in people and infrastructure. Under Larry’s leadership, the Training Department has grown from a single person to a team of eight, reflecting his belief in developing skills at every level. Another example is the Managing Partner program, which gives General Managers the chance to become business partners with a long-term stake in the company’s success. He has made calculated investments in other strategic positions, bringing in or promoting key talent needed to support the growth trajectory. In 2024 alone:
Team members were promoted to management roles Kitchen Managers were eleveated to Chef positions
Managers were hired
Chefs became General Managers
Behind those numbers are stories—of potential spotted, confidence built, and careers elevated.
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Regional Training Forum (RTF) Recap
Dallas/Fort Worth | 5.16.25
More than 50 CHART members and guests gathered for “A Taste of CHART” – a one-day learning summit hosted at the University of Texas Arlington by Kirstie Johnson and Dr. Michael Nalley, CHA, CHE, CHT. Participants gathered insights and learned from others during the Live Ask My Peers session, a thought-provoking discussion on service, adult learning, and career pathing. Big thanks to Cotton Patch Cafe for sponsoring lunch and to UTA for breakfast and parking! The next RTF will be held in October 2025. DFW members may contact Kirstie Johnson to be included in the CHART DFW LinkedIn group.
Meet Your Candidates for the CHART 2025-26 Board of Directors View candidate statements online now at chart.org > scroll to News > Announcements.
Electronic voting opens Monday, July 7. If you attended one of the last three in-person conferences (Charlotte, Chicago, or Louisville), you should already have received a link via email to vote electronically. Email susan@chart.org if you have any questions or did not receive your electronic voting link. If you will be joining us for CHART 108 in Redondo Beach, you can cast your vote on Tuesday, August 5 during the conference.
Dr. Jennifer Belk White, Ed.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CHT Vice President of Human Resources, General Hotels Corporation Also running for President-Elect
James Frank Manager, Field Training, Dine Brands Global (Applebee's) Also running for President-Elect
Kelly McCutcheon Group Director of Training, Whataburger Incoming President - no need to vote for Kelly!
Paul Miramontes Manager, Learning & Development, Galardi Group - Wienerschnitzel
Corban Nichols Vice President of Restaurant Excellence, Piada Italian Street Food
Audrey Benet Director of Training, GuestCounts Hospitality
Kim Evans Director of Training, Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Jaycie Chance Instructional Designer, Ballard Brands
Anna Mason Vice President of People Experience, A.Ray Hospitality
PresidenTalks Closing Thoughts: Lessons in Resilience from the Seahorse
Throughout history, seahorses have come to hold different meanings. The ancient Greeks saw them as a symbol of good luck, Celtic folklore identified them to represent bravery, the ancient Chinese believed they embodied power, and the Japanese viewed them as symbols of healing and abundance.
CHART President Dr. Felicia White, Ed.D, CHT A more modern cross-cultural reference for the seahorse is that of resilience. This is due to their adaptive behaviors such as the ability to swim upright and anchor themselves in the face of adversity. As I close out my term as president, I want to remind you of the lessons to take from seahorses (which, by the way, scientists estimate have been around for over 50 million years):
My new seahorse tattoo I got during my recent trip to Cozumel.
Remain upright, steadfast, and persevere...
Anchor yourself in the face of adversity...
AND Be like the seahorse...be resilient.
CHART Members at the National Restaurant Association Show 2025
5+ CHART Member speakers took the educational stage, plus 1 awesome reception, co-hosted with our Alliance Partner IFBTA
Meet Your Redondo Beach Conference Team
Wrapping up the rest of our conference team…we let ChatGPT lend a hand—and a sense of humor! To help you get to know the awesome volunteer crew behind our upcoming conference, we asked about their favorite pastimes: beach vibes, dance music, and travel dreams. ChatGPT took it from there, crafting some fun summaries that show off their personalities.
< COMMUNICATIONS & PROJECT MANAGER Keith Strew | Senior Director of Learning and Development | On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Keith’s ideal beach day? Tossing horseshoes, drink in hand, Amanda by Boston on blast (his wife’s name, so yes—he dances). He’s heading to Hawaii soon, eyeing his bucket-list dream of swimming with sharks. If things go sideways, he jokes, his wife just might feed him to those sharks.
HOSPITALITY CO-DIRECTOR > Jaycie Chance | Instructional Designer | Ballard Brands
Jaycie recharges in the sun like it’s their power source—then dives in to swim, collect shells, and soak up joy. Thoughtful, creative, and always down for a Pink Pony Club dance break, they’re leveling up Hospitality like it’s their favorite side quest. Scuba’s next on the bucket list, then Japan—for the food, the culture, and all things anime.
< SILENT AUCTION CO-DIRECTOR Winona Bullis | Director of Field Training | GoTo Foods
Winona just got back from Greece, but the real vacation starts when Let’s Go Crazy plays. She’s the kind of person who lights up the room and brings the energy, so great ready for a lively Silent Auction. With her energy, every day feels like a Lovely Day … and nobody’s escaping Mr. Brightside .
FACILITIES CO-DIRECTOR > Shannon Ciccotelli | Director of Training and Development | Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ
Shannon’s idea of the perfect beach day involves lounging with a margarita, vibin’ tunes, and her best friend nearby. Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody always sparks laughter thanks to an epic inside joke. She’s dreaming of snowboarding thrills and the stunning Amalfi Coast—where food and ocean views unite!
< REGISTRATION CO-DIRECTOR Kate Stiteler | Corporate Director of Training | Sonesta Hotels
Whether body surfing, snorkeling vibrant seas, or dreaming of luxury train adventures through Europe on the Orient Express, Kate’s fueled by curiosity and adventure. With a deep love of history, if she could visit the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, she would be riding the perfect wave of life!
SERVICE EVENT CO-DIRECTOR > Shanlee Kasson | Executive Vice President of Operations Integration | Teriyaki Madness
< HOSPITALITY CO-DIRECTOR Kevin McCarthy | Executive Vice President of Field Training, Operations, and Training Development | Teriyaki Madness Kevin’s all about the waves—boogie boarding by day, Danza Kuduro by night. He’s got energy, rhythm, and skydiving on his list (because why not jump out of a plane?). Europe’s calling next—for the culture, the vibe, the history. Shanlee’s beach bliss is simply sitting still, soaking in the waves she misses living landlocked. She’ll dance to anything, no questions asked! Hair styling is a mystery she’s eager to crack (choosing color is not her strong suit!). Iceland’s calling her next, partly for the epic hotdogs she's heard about and the adventure!
VOLUNTEER CO-DIRECTOR > Steven Haynes | Corporate Director, Field Training | Whataburger
Steven’s perfect day involves a beach chair, relaxing waves, and a well-earned nap. He’s long dreamed of playing guitar—or maybe drums—but says his musical brain is permanently out of office. Still, Gonna Make You Sweat hits and suddenly he is younger again, attempting dance moves no one asked for. Rome tops his bucket list for the ruins, the history… and let’s be honest, the pasta doesn’t hurt either.
< REGISTRATION CO-DIRECTOR Kristy Gamble | Manager of Training | RaceTrac
Kristy finds peace in the water; nothing grounds her quite like the beach. She’s always up for The Wobble (because we wobble but don’t fall down), and one day she’ll hike every waterfall in Georgia (doing the work to get the prize). Thailand’s next on her list—ready to push boundaries and grow with every step.
VOLUNTEER CO-DIRECTOR > Anna Mason | Vice President of People Experience | A.Ray Hospitality
Whether she’s reading or chasing a soccer ball across the sand, Anna finds her balance between fun and calm (even if she’s still working up to rollerblades). Shut Up and Dance is the household anthem, turning chores into dance breaks. Next stop? Mykonos—for beauty, history, and laid-back vibes.
< FIRST TIME ATTENDEE CO-DIRECTOR Angelina Sabatini | Manager of Training | Live Nation Entertainment
Angelina’s always up for a little adventure—whether she’s walking the shoreline in search of unique seashells or dancing to Living My Best Life . She’s eyeing pickleball as her next competitive hobby, and while choosing a bucket list trip is tough, today’s top pick is the Maldives for its crystal-clear waters. She’ll be bringing all this playful energy to our FTAs!
Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers P.O. Box 2835 Westfield, NJ 07091 chart.org (800) 463-5918
Please send content to flipCHART Managing Editor | Lisa Marovec, lisa@chart.org Deadline is 1st of the month for the next month’s issue | Back issues: chart.org Larry Ryback ...continued from page 1
“Do it every day, or it goes away.” This patient approach to building operational excellence before accelerating growth demonstrates his commitment to sustainable success. Larry often says, "We took our time to build rigor. Now we have it, and can ramp up because the business is ready to have unit growth in a healthy manner." Whether Larry is visiting restaurants, participating in training sessions, or leading operational reviews, he uses each interaction as a chance to coach, encourage, and reinforce the company’s values. “Keep the base healthy.” Larry’s care for people extends well beyond the restaurant floor. The BBQ U Family Fund supports team members through unexpected hardships, creating a true sense of family within the company. It’s another example of how he removes barriers and creates pathways for people to thrive—not just at work, but in life. “Shine and be people's heroes." At Jim ‘N Nick’s, guest recovery is more than fixing a problem—it’s encouragement to create a special moment that shines. Larry empowers team members to be heroes in those situations, turning challenges into chances for connection.
Larry’s long career leading respected hospitality brands has taught him that growth is never just about numbers. But the numbers are really, really good! Jim ‘N Nick’s opened seven new restaurants last year, boasts an impressive 20% year-over-year growth, and cares for a thriving team of over 3,500 team members across 53 restaurants. As the company prepares to open eight new restaurants in 2025, Larry’s strategy is clear: don’t grow for growth’s sake. Grow because the team is ready. Grow because the foundation is strong. Grow because people are at the center. CHART is proud to honor Larry Ryback with the 2025 Commitment to People Award—a leader who shows, day after day, that the best way to build a business is to support and grow the people who work there. Larry will be honored at CHART 108 in Redondo Beach at the Commitment to People dinner on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
2025 Member Milestones
Congratulations to all! These members will be recognized for their longevity with CHART in Redondo Beach.
5-year Members Jesse Boehm, Inspire Brands - Buffalo Wild Wings Winona Bullis, GoTo Foods Kim Evans, Hopdoddy Burger Bar Eboni Harris, US Air Force Jay Hartwig, Fox Restaurant Concepts Alec Karakolis, Inspire Brands - Buffalo Wild Wings Christopher Osgood, Inspire Brands Bouran Qaddumi, Church's Texas Chicken Chris Ruiz, CHT, Inspire Brands - Buffalo Wild Wings Maria Serrato, Del Taco Keith Strew, On The Border
Lifetime Members Laurie Haynes, Apple American Group - Applebee's Chris Shand, Silver Diner Development LLC Bill Story, Landry's Restaurants, Inc. 15-year Members Gabe Hosler, FMP Colby Hutchinson, Sekisui House Fouad Jomaa, Jason's Deli David Myers, CHT, Valvoline Chip Romp, National Restaurant Association
10-year Members Elke Bosworth Lexi Burns, Twin Peaks Restaurants Kimberly Carson, Rosen Hotels & Resorts Matt Kubarek, InTown Suites (was left off the 2024 list) Braxton Luzier, Live Nation Entertainment Trey Pease Rachel Richal, Inspire Brands - Buffalo Wild Wings Sarah Roha, Twin Peaks Restaurants Kara Ruchti, Kalahari Resorts Matthew Steele, CHT, Galardi Group - Wienerschnitzel
If you believe you should be recognized this year, and don’t see your name on this list, email susan@chart.org.
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