WFF names Hala Moddelmog interim CEO

The Women’s Foodservice Forum has named former Arby’s president Hala Moddelmog interim chief executive, filling the post held by Fritzi Woods, who died Sept. 18.

Woods had been the chief executive of Dallas-based WFF for three years.

“With Hala’s rich experience in our industry and passion for the mission of the WFF, she is the perfect leader to guide the Women’s Foodservice Forum during this time of transition,” Laurie Burns, the WFF’s chair and a senior vice president at Darden Restaurants Inc., said in a statement. “We are grateful that Hala is willing to serve WFF in this critical leadership role.”

Moddelmog stepped down as president of Arby’s this month after serving as the brand’s president since May 2010. From 2006 to 2009, she was president and chief executive of breast cancer charity network Susan G. Komen for the Cure, after serving as president of Church’s Chicken from 1995 to 2004.

The WFF also said that Roz Mallet, chief executive of PhaseNext Hospitality and most recently chair of the National Restaurant Association, will lead the search committee for a permanent replacement for Woods.

Mallet will lead the search committee comprising members of WFF’s board of directors and executives from the restaurant industry.

“As Roz leads the search for our next CEO, we are confident that with her guidance we will identify and engage the ideal leader to continue to deliver on our mission of advancing women leaders,” Anna Mason, general manager and vice president of operations for the WFF, said in a statement. “In the interim, Hala will provide strong leadership and direction as we accelerate our strategic trajectory.”

The WFF has served the restaurant and foodservice industries for more than 20 years through development, education and networking events designed to elevate female executives.

Contact Mark Brandau at [email protected].
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