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Brinker promotes Valade to COOBrinker promotes Valade to COO

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

July 7, 2009

1 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

DALLAS Brinker International Inc. has appointed company veteran Kelli Valade as chief operating officer of its Chili's Grill & Bar and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina divisions.

Valade will oversee operations for more than 1,400 Chili's and On The Border restaurants nationwide. The position had been vacant for more than a year.

“Kelli's leadership skills, strategic vision and strong focus on results make her well suited for this latest challenge,” said Todd Diener, president of Chili's and On The Border.

Valade has been with Brinker International for 13 years, most recently as a senior vice president for human resources for the two brands. She also serves on the founders' board of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and Women's Foodservice Forum.

Dallas-based Brinker also is parent to the Maggiano's Little Italy chain.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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