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Dave & Buster’s announces all-new executive leadership teamDave & Buster’s announces all-new executive leadership team

The company announces a revised leadership team of eight, with four new executives from Main Event Entertainment

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

July 11, 2022

2 Min Read
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Joanna Fantozzi

Dave & Buster’s announced Monday an all-new leadership team, including four new executives and four established D&B team members, many of whom now have new position titles. The announcement comes on the heels of Dave & Buster’s completion of the Main Event acquisition on June 29, 2022. The new executive leadership team under new CEO Chris Morris includes:

  • Antonio Bautista- chief international development officer (former senior vice president and head of international development at Dave & Buster’s)

  • Rob Edmund- chief people and legal officer (former general counsel, corporate secretary and senior vice president of human resources at Dave & Buster’s)

  • Steve Klohn- chief information officer (former CIO of Main Event Entertainment)

  • Les Lehner- chief procurement officer and head of Main Event Development (former executive vice president and chief development officer of Main Event Entertainment)

  • John Mulleady- chief development officer (former senior vice president of real estate and development)

  • Michael Quartieri- chief financial officer, position unchanged

  • Tony Wehner- chief operating officer (former COO of Main Event Entertainment)

  • Ashley Zickefoose- chief marketing officer (former CMO of Main Event Entertainment)

“At Dave & Buster’s, our people, at every level of the organization, are core to everything we do and achieve,” Chris Morris said in a statement. “The depth of expertise and proven track record of this team is a testament to the incredible talent across our two brands, and I look forward to all that we will achieve together.”

Related:Dave & Buster’s opens Coca-Cola market with automated checkout

The appointments will be effective Aug. 1, 2022, and incumbent leaders will stay on during the transition period as Dave & Buster’s combines executive teams from both brands into one c-suite of leaders.

Steve Klohn will be replacing JP Hurtado, who previously served as senior vice president and chief information officer, Tony Wehner will be replacing Margo Manning as chief operating officer and Ashley Zickefoose will be replacing Brandom Coleman III as chief marketing officer. The rest of the team either remains unchanged or has new titles.

More information will likely be available during Tuesday morning’s investor relations call.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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