PANELISTS

Chris Demery | Chief Technology Officer | Blaze Pizza

Recently appointed in Q1 of 2021, Chris Demery serves as Blaze Pizza’s Chief Technology Officer. Chris is an industry veteran with extensive experience leading off-premises and consumer-facing platforms for nationally-recognized food service brands. Spearheading the brand’s technology efforts, he consistently leverages his expertise to develop and execute strategic initiatives supporting Blaze’s ongoing innovation. Prior to joining Blaze, Chris most recently served as senior vice president at P.F. Chang’s, where he was responsible for developing the roadmap of its new Chang’s GO off-premise prototypes. He also spent six years at Bloomin’ Brands overseeing the company’s external facing technology and spearheading crucial strategic initiatives.

Steve Felson l VP of Operations | Bonchon

Steve Felson is the Vice President of Operations for Bonchon International with oversight for the brand’s Operations, Training, Food Safety and Restaurant Opening teams. Steve has more than 20 years’ experience across multiple restaurant industry segments spanning a number of roles. Prior to joining Bonchon, Steve worked with the fast-casual chain BurgerFi leading Operations, Training and Marketing and, prior to that, as the Director of Field Training and Restaurant Openings for Denny’s restaurants. Steve received a B.A. degree in English from Stetson University.

Danielle Porto Parra | CMO, VP Marketing | McAlister’s Deli

Danielle Porto Parra joined McAlister’s Deli as the head of Marketing in 2020, with responsibility for culinary & menu innovation, brand experience, digital, media, and growth strategies. Danielle has been in the hospitality and retail industry for more than 20 years, working in leadership roles at top companies including Petco, Build.com and Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Throughout her career, she has led company growth through a combination of brand experience and product innovation, personalized marketing, breakthrough creative, and digital transformation. Most recently, Danielle worked as Chief Marketing Officer & SVP of eCommerce for automotive aftermarket brands Pep Boys, AAMCO, Precision Tune, and Auto Plus.

MODERATOR

Stu Greer | Enterprise Account Executive | SOCi

Stuart Greer is an Enterprise Account Executive at SOCi and is responsible for partnering with and helping improve the customer retention & acquisition online strategy for SOCi’s largest clients. In addition to this Stuart has owned multiple businesses, has over 20 years of sales and business development experience, and an MBA in Marketing. With these experiences, Stuart tries to sit on the business owners’, marketers’, and operators’ side of the table to help them find new and inventive ways to improve their short and long-term objectives.