Steven Burge was born and raised in Texas, moving frequently throughout his childhood as the son of a high school coach. He attended West Texas A&M University, where he studied Physics while also serving in the Marine Corps Reserves for six years.

Steven’s career in the restaurant industry began at Joe’s Crab Shack, where he worked as a server and bartender before moving into management. His leadership abilities quickly became evident, and he traveled across the country opening new Joe’s Crab Shack locations. After four years in the seafood industry, he was recruited as an Area Coach for a Pizza Hut franchisee, a role that led him and his wife, Charlene, to Indianapolis. There, he advanced to Director of Operations.

Steven later joined a large multi-brand restaurant group operating over 150 restaurants, including Wendy’s, Denny’s, Long John Silver’s, Grandy’s, and McAlister’s. He spent 11 years growing within the organization until the restaurants were sold, leading him to Southern Rock Restaurants. He joined SRR as part of the acquisition of McAlister’s locations in Bedford, IN, and Vincennes, IN, and now serves as Director of Operations.

Steven is passionate about building strong teams and fostering a positive, people-first culture. Known for his upbeat attitude and well-timed dad jokes, he believes in creating workplaces where people enjoy coming to work. He follows in his father’s footsteps by coaching his son’s baseball, basketball, and football teams.

Steven firmly believes in the power of people and is committed to challenging his teams to embrace the idea that together, they can accomplish more than they ever could individually.

Ryan Downam has treasured his time of 30 years in the service industry which include Restaurants, Retail, Sales, and Grocery environments. Ryan’s college career started with his passion for small animals which led him to God’s Country of West Lafayette, IN at Purdue University (Boiler Up). He later switched fields to achieve his B.S. in Management & Leadership which has helped him grow within this industry. He has always had a passion for cultivating teams by protecting what is so important to our industry, “The Team, The Guest, & The Brand”. Being able to help teams impact guest retention, sales, & company financials, he has helped Southern Rock Restaurants grow to the largest franchisee of McAlister’s Deli. Ryan has helped advance the brand in team development, technology, and product through operational excellence, and profit improvements. Through his career he has helped lead teams to achieve sales of over 80 million dollars for his region. While developing the largest expanding area for SRR he has overseen over 1,600 team members & been involved with over 30 new restaurant openings.

Born in central Indiana & now calling Fort Wayne, IN his home with his wife, Kali. Ryan enjoys traveling with his wife, mostly by sea, as he loves the water & cruising. They also have three crazy French Bulldogs, (Finn, Wally, & Raya) that help them relax at the pool & create not stop terror at their lovely home.

Stacey’s remarkable journey spans over 30 years in the restaurant and retail industry, fueled by her unwavering passion for working with people.  From developing others to lead great operations and taking on multiple roles while collaborating on transformational projects she has a wide scope of experience . Stacey’s imprint on the Panera brand is profound, having opened over 45 restaurants, directed transformational operational procedural changes, created operational efficiencies through production design, and created a leadership growth model that continued to widen her scope to make a successful impact to Panera.  Along with work in the restaurant industry she holds a B.S. in science and started her master’s degree in becoming a family therapist.

Amanda Vondersaar was born and raised in Avon, Indiana, and now resides in Indianapolis. Her passion for the restaurant industry began at just 16 years old when she took her first job at Domino’s Pizza. Throughout high school, Amanda gained valuable experience working for various restaurant chains, building a strong foundation in hospitality and customer service.

She continued working in the food industry while attending Indiana State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. After graduation, Amanda accepted a position at a local wing restaurant, quickly rising through the ranks to become General Manager within her first year. It was in this role that she developed a strong understanding of leadership and operations management.

Eager to grow, Amanda joined the emerging full-service restaurant brand, The Stacked Pickle. Over the course of 4.5 years, she advanced into a multi-unit leadership position, overseeing two locations and contributing to the company’s development.

Amanda began her journey with McAlister’s Deli as an Assistant Manager and was promoted to General Manager in less than a year. Her strong leadership and operational excellence led to another promotion just two years later—this time to Area Director. In her current role, Amanda is dedicated to the continued growth and success of McAlister’s Deli, leading with a passion for people, development, and exceptional guest experiences.

Born and raised in Evansville, Indiana, Bobbi began her career in the restaurant industry at age 19 with Applebee’s. Starting as a server, she quickly advanced through the ranks, ultimately serving as a
salaried Kitchen Manager. In 2019, she joined McAlister’s Deli as an
Assistant General Manager and was promoted to General Manager just six
months later.

In 2022, Bobbi took the next step in her career by joining Southern Rock Restaurants, where she was soon promoted to Area Director. She now oversees seven McAlister’s Deli locations across Indiana,
Kentucky, and Illinois.

Outside of work, Bobbi enjoys spending quality time with her four-year-old son.

Brittany was born and raised in Speedway, IN, and currently resides in Avon, IN with her husband and three children. Her career in the food industry began at 16, and she quickly developed a passion for leadership and team development. She started her management journey at Starbucks before spending 10 years with Panera Bread, where she advanced from Associate to Training General Manager. Her first Area Director role was with Moe’s Southwest Grill, where she gained valuable multi-unit leadership experience.

Since June 2022, Brittany has served as an Area Director with Southern Rock Restaurants, where she currently oversees eight locations across the Indiana market. In 2024, she was honored with the Area Director of the Year award, recognizing her dedication to operational excellence, food safety, and the growth of her teams.

Outside of work, Brittany enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids, discovering new places, and exploring unique restaurants — always with a coffee in hand.

Cathy Vogt is a seasoned hospitality professional with a deep-rooted passion for great service, community, and team leadership. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Cathy’s love for sports, fast horses, and good bourbon mirrors her dynamic personality and enduring local pride.

She studied Hospitality Studies at Western Kentucky University. Cathy began her career in hotel management with Hyatt Regency, where she developed a solid foundation in guest services and
operations. Her journey continued through leadership roles with respected brands such as Chi-Chi’s, The Olive Garden, and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, each experience deepening her expertise in the restaurant industry.

In 2004, Cathy joined The Heritage Group, overseeing the growth of their McAlister’s Deli operations from five to twelve locations. In 2023, she brought her experience and energy to
Southern Rock Restaurants, where she currently serves as Area Director. Leading eight McAlister’s Deli locations across the Louisville and Southern Indiana market, Cathy’s leadership was recognized with the prestigious Area Director of the Year award.

Cathy is driven by her commitment to operational excellence, team development, and delivering memorable guest experiences. She continues to be a key contributor to the growth and success of
Southern Rock Restaurants.

Chris Graves is a Southern Rock Area Director, covering the East Tennessee market. He is no stranger to the hospitality profession, as he has been in the industry since an early age. He was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and began his professional career 28 years ago working as a dishwasher at the McAlister’s Deli location in Hattiesburg. Working for McAlister’s Deli has been his first and only job. After completing his degree in Business Management at the University of Southern Mississippi, Chris was presented with an opportunity to relocate to Jackson, Mississippi for a leadership role. Once arriving in Jackson, he was promoted to multiple positions within the span of 3 years, including Assistant General Manager, General Manager, Manager of Training, and Manager of Ops Services. Chris and his family relocated to Knoxville, TN in 2015 to join Peak Restaurant franchise group. He has been employed with Southern Rock since 2023.

Chris resides in Tennessee with his wife Carla, and their two Weimaraners (Trooper & BB, both 9). In his free time, he enjoys traveling, relaxing on the patio, landscaping, playing sports and grilling.

Chris grew up in West Virginia and attended West Virginia University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Tourism, and Management. He began his career at Mardi Gras Casino as an Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, a role he held for three and a half years.

Looking for new challenges, Chris relocated to Oregon to join Buffalo Wild Wings, where he served in a dual role as a New Restaurant Opening Coordinator and Area Leader. During his time there, he played a key role in launching 36 new locations for the brand. His strong leadership and passion for people led to a new opportunity in Indianapolis, where he was asked to take over a newly acquired, struggling market. Thanks to his hands-on approach and ability to inspire teams, the market saw significant improvement.

In 2020, Chris joined Southern Rock Restaurants as an Assistant General Manager and was quickly promoted to General Manager. His continued growth within the company led to his promotion to Area Director, first overseeing a new market in Cleveland, Ohio, and later transferring to Michigan to lead operations in a fast-growing market. These roles have allowed Chris to do what he does best—develop people and help them reach their full potential.

Known for his high energy, approachable leadership style, and genuine care for his teams, Chris continues to make a lasting impact wherever he goes.

In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors and exploring his new home state of Michigan.

With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Chris Holloman brings a deep passion for guest service, team development, and operational excellence. Since joining the company in 2021 as a
General Manager, he has grown into the Area Director role, leading multiple locations with a hands-on approach grounded in integrity,
accountability, and teamwork.

Known for a calm and resilient leadership style, Chris prioritizes a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered. Whether developing future leaders or enhancing guest experiences, he operates with empathy, curiosity, and a firm belief that great hospitality starts with putting people first.

A proud father of four daughters, Chris finds balance and inspiration in the outdoors—golfing, camping, fishing, hiking, biking—and enjoying live music. These moments outside of work fuel a lifelong commitment to learning, leading, and living with purpose.

I grew up in Virginia Beach, VA. While loving the beach life, I had a love for playing soccer and being a musician. In between my individual loves in life, I also loved
becoming a part of my Family’s restaurants. My Uncle, my mentor, being a Chef and F&B Director of Resort Hotels taught me an exponential wealth of knowledge. I studied English Literature and Art History in college, but having not lost my passion for the Hospitality Industry, I pursued this as my life’s work. I relocated to the Midwest finding my way to Grindstone Charley’s (an up-and-coming Franchise in Indianapolis) as a GM and eventually leading the Training/Development department for ten years. One day I landed in Kentucky due to my spouse’s business
opportunities leading me to Logan’s Roadhouse. Fast forward Fourteen years and three first class kids of my own, I left the company after having a very successful tenure as a GM and corporate MIT training location. Upon leaving Logan’s, I was an Area Director with a Dunkin Donuts Franchisee, until
they unfortunately sold. In 2018, I became a GM with McAlister’s Deli under Heritage Enterprises. In my role with Heritage Enterprises, I continued to delve into my passion
for developing people, but 2023 changed everything.

Having been promoted to an Area Director coming off a very successful two years under SRR as a GM, I look forward to continue growing the culture of people first and
fostering SRR Foundations in all of TEAM.
Amp it Up!

Cody began his career at McAlister’s Deli in February of 2013 as a team member in Joplin, MO.
Within that first year he was quickly promoted to a shift manager and then to an assistant manager before moving to Topeka, KS with his family to help open a new location there. As an
assistant manager in Topeka he was able to work on the skills that were needed to become a General Manager. This promotion would come a few years later in April of 2018 after once again moving his family to open another location in Council Bluffs, IA. After six years in Council Bluffs Cody was once again promoted to area director. He has 7 locations across Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri.

Eddie Marr was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi where he graduated from Tupelo High School before attending North East Community College for General Business and Accounting. He started his restaurant career at Soda Fountain before joining Pizza Hut in 1976. In his 33 year tenure with Pizza Hut Eddie worked his way up from store manager to multi-unit supervisor in Mississippi then he became the Director of Operations under the Region Manager for the Little Rock Arkansas Region.

Eddie came on board with McAlister’s Deli in January 2010 in Grenada, Mississippi where he excelled as a General Manager until he became an Area Director for North Mississippi in September of 2013.

Heather Espy is a seasoned operations leader who has been with McAlister’s Deli since 2007. She currently oversees 10 locations across West Tennessee and North Mississippi, where she drives performance through strategic leadership and team development.

With a sharp focus on guest experience, financial accountability, and team engagement, Heather leads initiatives to improve key performance metrics including speed of service, food cost control, labor efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Her leadership style emphasizes hands-on coaching, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Heather is also deeply committed to cultivating a strong leadership pipeline, providing ongoing training and mentorship to general managers, shift leads, and rising team members to support long-term growth and operational success.

Heather is proud to be from Memphis and loves all things Memphis. When not working, you can find her supporting the Memphis Tigers, Memphis Redbirds and Memphis Grizzlies (let’s not forget those St. Louis Cardinals).

Ken was raised and still resides in Central Missouri.  He graduated from State Fair Community College with an Associate of Arts in Business then went on to University of Missouri of Columbia to earn a bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant management. Ken has a passion for teaching and leading his teams to grow and develop their skills.   For over thirty years he has worked on his development and those of his team.  It is a great pleasure for him to see his team members getting promoted up the ladder.  Ken’s restaurant career has been spent with Applebee’s and Panera Bread as Assistant Manager, being promoted to General Manager and then Training General Manager.  Ken joined the Southern Rock family in 2015 as a General Manger of the Jefferson City location, then moved to the Columbia, Missouri deli and was a mentor for the Jefferson City location. In 2019 he was promoted to Area Director and his region includes central Missouri and part of St. Louis.  Ken has a highly talented team and that is dedicated and passionate as well, that he is very proud of.     

In his free time, Ken spends time with his golden retrievers, family and friends.

Marc Mann is a seasoned restaurant leader with over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Starting his career as a dishwasher, Marc’s journey is a powerful example of dedication, resilience, and upward mobility. He has grown through every level of restaurant operations to
become an accomplished Area Director overseeing multiple locations.

Throughout his career, Marc has consistently delivered strong results, growing sales by an
average of 5–8% across various units. He has led teams with some of the lowest turnover rates in previous brands, a direct reflection of his leadership style and people-first approach. His success in opening multiple high-performing units and maintaining tight cost controls underscores his operational excellence.

Marc is passionate about the process of serving guests and takes pride in building environments where exceptional hospitality and operational efficiency go hand in hand. He believes that well-designed systems and procedures are essential to driving profitability—not just for business, but for every team member’s personal and professional growth.

At the core of Marc’s leadership philosophy is a deep commitment to people’s development. He believes in investing in the future growth of his team—both personally and professionally—and takes pride in mentoring individuals at all levels to help them reach their full potential. Marc’s focus on building strong, engaged teams is not only key to his success, but also to the long-term success of the organizations he serves.

Melissa Myers, a Carmel, Indiana native, began her professional journey in retail at just 16 years old. She entered the food industry in 2006  with the Carmel McAlister’s Deli, where she held a variety of roles including Catering Coordinator and Assistant General Manager. In 2017, she relocated to Fishers, Indiana and stepped into the role of Training General Manager the following year.

Since 2024, Melissa has served as the Area Director of the North Indy Market, now overseeing six locations. As she enters her second year in this role, she remains passionate about leadership development and is dedicated to building strong teams and cultivating future leaders within her market.

Melissa currently resides in the quiet town of Pendleton, Indiana with her two sons, Remy and Rigby. Outside of work, she enjoys collecting comic book memorabilia, playing video games, and diving into a good book.

As a lifelong Ohioan, Nick began his career in the Hospitality industry at the age of 16. Beginning at Arby’s Restaurant Group, he started as a Team Member and quickly moved into the position of Assistant Manager, then Restaurant Manager by the time he was 21. Spending a total of 12 years growing with the company, and becoming a Certified Training Manager, he began his journey as a multi-unit leader. Starting with Dunkin Donuts, he sharpened his tools as his career progressed by assisting in opening 3 new restaurants and was then given the task of overseeing all 3. An opportunity arose with a local Cleveland hospitality group to further his development as a multi-unit leader. He then spent 3 years at Rascal House as a District Manager which included opening a new location, and helping a franchise group grow in size by implementing many systems used to sustain rapid growth. It was at that point that Nick found SRR and jumped at the opportunity to open a new location as a GM for McAlister’s Deli. Some time after opening our Middleburg Heights location, Nick began  to help other stores and build relationships. Nick then moved into his Area Director role a year later in a new developing market of Cleveland, OH. He enjoys the outdoors, collecting trading cards, and spending time with his wife Jenna and their son.

Phil Sisemore began his career at the age of 16, starting as a cook/cashier with Wendy’s. Transitioning from Wendy’s, a shift leader role at KFC followed. A former regional manager from Wendy’s assumed leadership of Bojangles in Chattanooga and recruited Phil as an assistant manager. Over time, Phil advanced to general manager and then to TGM. In 2000, an opportunity arose at Applebee’s where Phil joined as an assistant manager, subsequently progressing to GM. Noteworthy achievements include successfully revitalizing 3 underperforming locations and contributing to the opening of 5 new Applebee’s locations.

Rachel is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 25 years of industry experience. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, she began her career with Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans, where she built a strong foundation in restaurant operations.

Rachel then spent 15 years with Logan’s Roadhouse, taking on various management and new restaurant opening roles, and developing a deep passion for leadership and team development. In 2018, she joined Southern Rock Restaurants as a General Manager. Her natural ability to mentor others quickly stood out, earning her a role as a Training General Manager.

In 2019, Rachel was promoted to Area Director for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. Her dedication to the brand and her team has since earned her the “Area Director of the Year” award—twice.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends

Scott Morris Born in Indianapolis and raised in Southern Indiana, Scott’s passion for the restaurant industry began early. While attending college, he started as a part-time cook at Hooters Restaurants—a role that quickly evolved into a full-time position when he accepted the Kitchen Manager role within six months.

Over the next three decades, Scott honed his leadership skills across multiple restaurant concepts, including Hooters, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and Scotty’s Brewhouse. In August 2019, he joined the Southern Rock Restaurant family as the General Manager of the Bloomington, IN McAlister’s Deli. Under his leadership, the location achieved record-breaking success in 2021, earning him recognition as General Manager of the Year. His dedication and expertise led to his promotion as Area Director, where he continues to mentor teams and drive excellence in the hospitality industry.

Outside of work, Scott enjoys tending to his hobby farm, exploring Lake Monroe with his wife Heather on their pontoon, and riding four-wheelers with his son Zachary. He also treasures time with his three adult daughters—Cassie, Riley, and Harley—who could still benefit from his legendary “Words of Wisdom by Dad.”

Steve Brown was born in Edinburgh, Pennsylvania and later moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where he was introduced to the restaurant and hospitality industry. His management career began with Logan’s Roadhouse opening restaurants but after several years, he moved into a General Manager role with Ruby Tuesday. Steve joined McAlister’s Deli in 2012 as a General Manager in Kingsport, Tennessee. He was later promoted to an Area Director in May 2018 overseeing the Tri-Cities, Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Steve enjoys time on the lakes across the region and fishing bass tournaments.  He spends most of his free time at home with his wife and (2) four legged children.  He also enjoys teaching a weekly Bible Study with friends and family.

Tiffany Howard began her journey with McAlister’s Deli in 2002 as a team member, steadily working her way up through dedication, hard work, and a passion for people. Now serving as Area Director, she brings over two decades of experience and insight to her leadership role. Tiffany is known for her ability to build strong teams, drive operational excellence, and foster a culture of growth and support.

Her favorite part of the job is watching others grow and succeed — helping team members reach their full potential is what fuels her every day. Tiffany leads with integrity, empathy, and a deep commitment to developing future leaders within the McAlister’s family.

Started my McAlister’s Deli career in June 2003 as an Assistant Manager in Edmond, OK, within a year was promoted to General Manager in the Stillwater, OK location until 2010 when I was then promoted to Regional Director in the Kansas City Market.  I’m currently supervising Kansas and Missouri locations.  I have been in the restaurant industry for 26 years and enjoy the new challenges it brings each day.  I am married to my wife Aubrey Andersen with 4 boys: Bayler, Cayden, Gavyn and Quaid.  I enjoy hunting, fishing and sports.  I currently reside in Ponca City, OK. 

Born and raised in Elkhart, Daniela grew up in the heart of the restaurant world—quite literally. Her grandparents owned a local pizzeria, where she spent her childhood learning the ins and outs of the business and discovering a lasting passion for hospitality.That early spark turned into a lifelong career. Daniela gained experience at Essen Haus and Red Robin before joining McAlister’s Deli, where her strong work ethic and leadership skills propelled her into her current role as Area Director.

Now based in Fort Wayne, Daniela lives with her children and remains deeply committed to developing others. She thrives on mentoring team members who share her passion for the restaurant industry, helping them uncover their potential and grow into confident leaders.

Outside of work, Daniela enjoys reading, spending time with her golden retriever, and celebrating all things fall—especially spooky season. Whether she’s coaching a team, planning for growth, or relaxing with a good book and a cup of coffee, Daniela brings energy, warmth, and a genuine love for people to everything she does.

Brooke joined the McAlister’s Deli family at age 16 back in 2005. This was her first EVER job at the Southaven, MS store location. She continued to work throughout High School and then even in college attending Northwest Community College for Business Management. She worked extremely hard as a regular employee and was rewarded for that behavior being promoted to a shift leader once she turned 18. Brooke kept growing in her leadership skills to begin climbing the ladder very shortly after being promoted to a shift leader. Brooke was then promoted to an Assistant Manager, General Manager, and Area Director. She has worked for several different locations over the Mississippi and Memphis stores.

Brooke has been super honored to receive so many great awards with McAlister’s Deli such as; top sales increases, top pm sales increase, best sales, no regrets, and General Manager of the year in 2016.

Hope has a varied professional background, but at the heart of it all was the desire to take care of and serve others. She has held positions from a police officer to store manager, and has always believed that being an example is the heart of leadership. Upon coming to SRR, her heart was always with the catering aspect. As an assistant manager she worked to learn the ins and outs of catering and as a general manager grew catering by 33% in her store. She looks forward to building relationships within the
Middle Tennessee communities and with her team of Catering Coordinators.

Jen was born and raised in Connecticut where she graduated from Northwestern Connecticut Community College. There she earned her Associates of Arts (AA) – Deaf Studies & Interpreting degrees in 2003. While attending school, she worked in retail at JCPenney. She was quickly identified as a leader and moved up through different management roles. This led to promotions to Ohio, Lexington Kentucky and finally landing in Louisville Kentucky. After 17 years with the company, Jen felt it was time to redirect focus on her growing family and decided it was time to make a change. 

In 2019 Jen joined the McAlister’s brand as the Director of Catering over the Louisville market. Since taking over the catering business, she along with her catering team has grown sales to $2.8 Million.

Jenn was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri. She joined the McAlister’s brand in 2015 with over 20 years of hospitality and restaurant management experience. Quickly working her way from hourly manager and catering admin assistant, she took on the role of Catering Coordinator in 2016. With a commitment to building personal relationships and increasing repeat guests, Jenn brought her store to top of the catering sales charts year after year. In 2021 she was promoted to St Louis Catering Director. Now leading the catering teams in 13 stores in the greater St Louis area, as well as supporting 26 others across four states, Jenn and her teams have grown annual catering sales to over $5,000,000!

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio Kari began working at McAlister’s Deli in 2009, as a cashier. Her love to work in the community and help others, transitioned her into catering where she became a coordinator in 2011. Kari was recognized in 2016, for highest sales increase in Catering. She continued to help train and build her clientele until 2021, then went to a new store opening and built the catering department there. Due to all her catering experience, she saught after the catering Director role for Cincinnati. In 2024, she became the Catering Director overseeing 27 stores.

Kari stays very busy with her 3 kids. She loves coaching volleyball, basketball, going to church and spending time with her family. In her free time, you’ll find her at the lake or with her mom friends.

Regina was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and raised in a mixture of Indiana, Kentucky, and Mississippi. She has 25 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry. Working with many different companies such as Chi Chi’s, Joe’s Crab Shack, White Caps Fine Seafood and becoming the food and beverage manage for Benchmark Resorts & Hotels. After raising two children Regina became a small business owner and has owned a women’s boutique as well as an event planning business.

Regina loves being an active community member hosting street fairs and community events. Being a part of Chamber of Commerce and local non-profit organizations. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her adult children and making desserts for friends and family.