The National Restaurant Association and its Educational Foundation have announced their boards for 2026, appointing new officers, directors, and trustees to lead the organizations.
Mike Axiotis, CEO and president of Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands, has been named chair of the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors. Carrie Leishman, president and CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association, will serve as chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees.
The leadership team for the Association also includes Vice Chair Jeanne Cretella, co-founder and president of by Landmark, and Treasurer Theodore “Teddy” Balestreri, executive vice president at Cannery Row Company. For the Foundation board, Susannah Ryan from PepsiCo Foodservice is vice chair and Greg Cocchiarella from Ecolab Inc. serves as treasurer.
Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of both organizations said: “As a cornerstone of American communities, the restaurant industry is a stabilizing force in our economy, with its resilience and strength standing as a benchmark for the nation’s overall business landscape. Mike Axiotis and Carrie Leishman bring deep experience and unrivaled dedication to our industry and the people we serve. Their leadership will guide the Association and Foundation boards to advance and promote the restaurant industry as an economic leader and as a space that brings people together.”
Each officer’s term lasts one year.
Axiotis has worked in hospitality for nearly four decades, starting with his family’s restaurant before joining Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands where he became CEO in 2018. He expanded LVRB from a single brand into multiple major brands while increasing revenue through diversification.
Cretella leads by Landmark in New Jersey and Pennsylvania with businesses ranging from restaurants to hotels. She focuses on building connections within local communities through charitable initiatives such as “Help Us Give,” while supporting educational programs across several institutions.
Balestreri oversees operations at Cannery Row Company including boutique hotels and well-known restaurants like The Sardine Factory. His career spans leadership roles within California’s hospitality sector.
Newly elected directors joining the Association board include representatives from companies such as Ford’s Garage (Billy Downs), El Arroyo (Ellis Winstanley), Parthenon Gyros (Erin Vranas), Ghai Management Services (Harsh Ghai), Golden State Foods (Hugues Labrecque), The Monarch (Jennifer Ray), Paradox (Joshua Secrest), The Hena Group (Kajal Patel), Bloomin’ Brands (Kelly Lefferts), Donatos Pizzeria (Kevin King), Lazy Dog Restaurants (Mark Heilig), Chick-fil-A (Reade Tidwell), Lawry’s Restaurants (Richard Frank), Ascent Hospitality (Ronald DiNella), Zaxby’s (Sharlene Smith) and Dine Brands (Susan Nelson).
Leishman has led Delaware Restaurant Association efforts recognized by national organizations for creating substance abuse awareness training specific to hospitality workers.
Ryan manages strategic partnerships for PepsiCo Foodservice’s national chain customers while holding various roles since joining PepsiCo in 2000. Cocchiarella at Ecolab supports foodservice through programs advancing education initiatives across several major industry groups.
New trustees appointed to the Foundation include Angela Melton-Fray of Dat Jerk Caribbean Chargrill; Carlos Bernal of Areas USA; Emily Williams Knight from Texas Restaurant Association; Jason Wallace at Hospitality Concepts; John Horne with Oysters Rock Hospitality; Melvin Rodrigue from Galatoire’s Restaurants; Sara Quinteros at Cowbell Seafood & Oyster; Scott Redler with Redler Hospitality.
