John is the founder and partner of Hospitality Leaders Group, LLC, specializing in CEO coaching, organizational development, leadership effectiveness, cultural alignment, and strategic planning.  Recently, John served as the president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, where he successfully navigated the association and the industry through the challenges posed by the pandemic.  The PRLA represents Pennsylvania's 26,000 restaurants, 1,500 hotels, and 50 destination marketing organizations and promotes, protects, and enhances the hospitality and tourism industry within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond.  It serves as the unified voice for the travel and tourism industry in the Commonwealth and is recognized as one of the most significant hospitality associations in the United States.

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John's transformative leadership was evident as President & CEO of Quaker Steak & Lube, where he steered the casual dining chain into one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the United States.  Before that, he held executive roles at ClubCorp, Bristol Hotels & Resorts, and Intercontinental Hotels Group, overseeing operations and human resources.  John's commitment to community service is highlighted by his term as Mayor of Plano, Texas, during which the city experienced rapid growth, attracting over fifty new companies and earning recognition as one of the nation's safest and most business-friendly cities.

John's industry leadership is a testament to his expertise and influence.  He has chaired the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, received appointments to state commissions by Governors Bill Clements and George W. Bush, held a board position with the National Restaurant Association, and made significant contributions to Cornell University as a Council member, a regular guest lecturer, and executive-in-residence at the School of Hotel Administration.  He serves as a director on the Cornell Hotel Society Global Board and the Penn State School of Hospitality Management Advisory Board.  He is also a director on the Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands Board and the ShiftOne Board.

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John's career in the hospitality industry began as a short-order cook and progressed through various roles, including executive chef, catering director, general manager, corporate executive, and CEO.  He has authored nearly 200 articles on leadership, service, and other subjects and is a sought-after speaker.  John graduated with distinction from Cornell with a Bachelor of Science and enjoys family time, golf, reading, and writing.​​