Roaring Fork Leadership

James is a senior-level executive with extensive financial, accounting and administrative experience. He has been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with Roaring Fork Restaurant Group and its affiliated real estate companies for the past 6 years. During this time, James has been involved in the opening of 21 restaurants and acquisition of 14 real estate properties. His duties include overseeing the accounting, finance, IT, legal and real estate functions.

Prior to Roaring Fork, James spent four years as the CFO with EMSystems. EMSystems is a leading provider of technology solutions for the healthcare industry. During his term he was responsible for the development and leadership of the finance, human resources and administrative functions in the Milwaukee, Sacramento, and Harrisburg offices. James was instrumental in the acquisition of two companies, one product line and ultimately the sale of EMSystems to Intermedix.

Prior to EMSystems, James was a Senior Manager at a Milwaukee based regional CPA firm and CFO for a privately owned company operating out of Dallas and Milwaukee. His primary responsibilities included overseeing financial reporting, general accounting, tax reporting, and administrative functions.

James started his career with KPMG Peat Marwick, one of the nation's largest public accounting firms. While at KPMG, he earned his CPA license and served as an auditor and national instructor. James performed audit and advisory services to both private and publicly traded companies in various industries.

James received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a Certified Public Accountant and member of both the AICPA and WICPA societies. James resides in Menomonee Falls, WI and has two adult children. He enjoys attending Badger sporting events, concerts, and live theater. James is currently enjoying remodeling his home as well as restoring a reproduction of a 356 Speedster.

Ron is a leader in corporate restaurant management with extensive experience in executive development. He has been the President & COO of Roaring Fork Restaurant Group for the last 12 years and led the opening of 48 restaurants during that period. Roaring Fork Restaurant Group is the largest franchisee within the Qdoba Mexican Eats system and has been one of the fastest growing restaurant companies in the country.

Prior to his current position, he was the owner and founder of Personalized Management, a recruiting company specializing in retail and restaurant management. During that 7-year window, he worked with companies across the country helping them develop strong leadership teams.

Ron was also a Region President and Partner for R.T.M. Inc, an Arby’s franchisee, leading their operations in Portland, Seattle and Salt Lake City.

He began his career with Pepsi in their Pizza Hut division. While at Pepsi he worked in various operational capacities across the country in places such as Des Moines, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Chicago and Indianapolis. He was also an instrumental leader in their training department and on the forefront of helping Pizza Hut develop their emerging markets.

Ron lives in Wauwatosa with his wife and enjoys staying competitively engaged in activities such as biking and running. Ron has a passion for developing leaders through teaching, coaching and speaking.

Ron is also Chairman of the Qdoba Franchisee Association which represents the needs of over 80 Qdoba Franchise groups, with over 350 restaurants in the US and Canada.