Wyndham Vacation Ownership competitors

Gene Lee was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Darden Restaurants, Inc. in February 2015 after serving as Interim CEO since October 2014. Gene brings more than 30 years of restaurant operating experience to the role, which ranges from early stage high-growth concepts to large high-volume chains.

Ned Lyerly was named Chief Executive Officer in April 2019, heading two brands, Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., with a global footprint of over 3,900 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 42 foreign countries and U.S. territories. Lyerly leads CKE’s overarching business, people and development strategies to drive growth and profitability, bringing more than 35 years of restaurant operating experience to the role. Previously, Lyerly was the company’s President, International, responsible for the growth of the CKE international footprint to 900+ restaurants. Prior to that role, he was Executive Vice President of Global Franchise Development where he oversaw franchise development for the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. brands in the United States and around the world. Over his 35 year career with CKE, Lyerly has held positions in many functional disciplines including: Senior Vice President International, Vice President International, Director - International Finance and Marketing, Director - Domestic Finance (Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.) Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis (Imasco USA, Inc. / Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.). Lyerly is a Certified Franchise Executive and currently serves as a member of the International Franchise Association’s International Leadership Council. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Don Fox is a restaurant industry veteran with 46 years of experience, predominately in the QSR and Fast Casual segments. His first job was scrubbing pots and pans at the dish sink of a local Italian restaurant in NJ. He began his management career in 1976 with Six Flags amusement parks. In 1980, he embarked upon a 23 year career with Burger King Corporation, which included assignments in R&D and field operations. Don joined Firehouse Subs in 2003 as Director of Franchise Compliance, rose to COO in 2005, and became CEO in 2009. Under his leadership, the brand has grown to over 1185 restaurants in 46 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. In 2011, Fox was awarded the Operator of the Year Award by Nation's Restaurant News. In 2013, he became a member of the National Restaurant Association's Board of Directors (now in his eight year of service) and received the association's Advocacy Award. Also in 2013, he received the Silver Plate Award from the International Food Manufacturers Association, and was named the #1 executive in the Fast Casual segment by FastCasual.com. In 2018 and 2019, he earned a spot on the list of the Florida 500 - Florida's Most Influential Business Leaders, Also in 2019, he was named an Industry Titan by Women's Food Service Forum. A board member of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association since 2013, he served as its chairman in 2017. He serves on boards in both the non-profit and for-profit arenas, both within and outside of the restaurant industry (among them, the Army Historical Foundation). Fox is also a published author. Among his works: "Patton's Vanguard - The United States Fourth Armored Division"​, published in 2003 (soft cover edition released in 2007) and "Final Battles of Patton's Vanguard," published in 2020. Fox is a frequent speaker and panelist at conferences and events both within and outside of the restaurant industry.

Mike DeFrino works at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and a COO at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and is based in Ross, California.