2018 TechTable Summit

Jimmy Suh is the Chief Commercial Officer of Standard International (Parent company of The Standard hotels, Bunkhouse Group hotels, and One Night) and the President/Co-founder of One Night, LLC. One Night is building the next-generation products and services for Independent Hotels and discerning consumers who seek a curated travel experience. Its first product, One Night app, offers last minute hotel bookings at reduced rates for a curated list of hotels, heightening the experience with an hour-by-hour insider tips of what to do in and around the hotel. Prior to Standard, Jimmy was the SVP of Ecommerce and Distribution for Loews Hotels and Resorts. In 2006, He launched The Private Label Company, which provided sales and reservations/distribution solutions for over six hundred hotels globally. He also served as the first VP, Revenue Management and Distribution for Kimpton Hotels. From 2005-2006, Jimmy served as the President of HEDNA, a globally recognized association for leading and advancing electronic distribution initiatives for the lodging industry.

Kelly Seeman has spent the past eight years cultivating her passion in food technology and has first-hand experience partnering with restaurant chains on digital media, on-demand delivery, loyalty, and e-commerce. 

Prior to joining Facebook in May 2016 as Global Sales Industry Manager, Kelly pursued her desire to work at start-ups when she was hired by Postmates to be their first General Manager & Partnerships Lead. There she was focused on activating and managing merchant and brand partnerships on a local level. She also worked closely with the Operations, CS and Product teams to improve the customer and restaurant experience. Prior to Postmates, Kelly had a brief stint at Belly, a universal loyalty program, where she was the SVP, Enterprise and oversaw the 7-Eleven relationship.

Before diving into the world of start-ups, Kelly spent over 11 years at Google where she launched Google’s QSR/Fast Casual/Casual Dining practice helping the C-Suite undergo digital transformations. She was a founding member of Google’s Agency team and was intimately involved in the launch of Google AgencyLand, a Google product which has since been rebranded to Google Partners. Kelly began her career at Accenture and spent three years after that at AOL Time Warner.

Rob Wilder is co-founder with José Andrés of ThinkFoodGroup (TFG), the innovative management company responsible for renowned dining concepts in Washington, DC, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Puerto Rico and Mexico including Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel, minibar by José Andrés, China Chilcano, Beefsteak, The Bazaar by José Andrés at the SLS Hotels, China Poblano at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and Mi Casa at the Ritz Carlton Reserve in Dorado Beach. TFG also handles José’s additional creative endeavors encompassing cookbooks, food products, television programming, education, concept consulting, and new restaurant projects. Restaurant Hospitality recently named ThinkFoodGroup as the most innovative multi-concept company in country.

Recently Rob founded the investment group FoodTech Angels to support the growth of innovative early-stage companies that are leveraging technology to change the world of Food.  In its first year FoodTech Angels syndicates invested $1.5 million into nine portfolio companies.  As part of his effort to support promising entrepreneurs Rob serves as advisor to several early stage companies, on the Advisory Board and Mentor at the Halcyon Incubator, and mentor at the Conscious Venture Lab and Yale Entrepreneurial Institute.

In 2018 Rob and partners are launching WineGame, a new software platform which will bring a new fun and educational technology to the worlds of wine and hospitality.

Jordan Salcito is a wine veteran, with over a decade spent in the industry. She began her career in New York as hostess at wd~50 before becoming a prep cook at DANIEL, sommelier and manager at Eleven Madison Park, then eventually Wine & Beverage Director for David Chang's Momofuku restaurants. An impassioned entrepreneur, Jordan is the founder behind RAMONA, an organic Italian grapefruit wine spritz, and Bellus Wines.

Jordan continues to receive widespread recognition for her work. Her wine program at Momofuku has been named a James Beard Foundation semifinalist multiple times and in 2017, was awarded “Most Original Wine List in the World” from World Of Fine Wine. Jordan is a Master Sommelier Candidate, a Wine Enthusiast “40 Under 40,” and was recognized as a 2018 James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for "Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional.”

Tim leads the consumer data science practice at Dunkin’ Brands, focusing on using customer analytics to drive business decisions and personalized communications. Prior to joining Dunkin’, he spent 12+ years on the agency side, assisting Fortune 100 brands to analyze data, generate learning systems, and develop marketing strategies. He holds a degree from MIT in Management Science.

Heini is Vivino’s Founder and currently serves as board member and chief evangelist. Largely credited with bringing a technology revolution to the wine industry, Heini founded Vivino because he was frustrated by not knowing which wine to buy. It’s been his passion project ever since.  During his tenure, Vivino grew into a community of 30 million users, raised $57 million in funding and rolled out a worldwide wine marketplace. 

Prior to starting Vivino, Heini co-founded several startups, including global internet and mobile security company BullGuard. Heini resides in San Francisco with his wife and three children.

Bertha González Nieves is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tequila Casa Dragones. For the past 15 years, she has dedicated her career to the tequila industry, earning the certification as the first female Maestra Tequilera by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila, a distinction usually held only by men. The Los Angeles Times calls González Nieves “The First Lady of Tequila,” Food & Wine and Fortune magazines named her one of “The Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink for 2015,” and the Financial Times says she is “a tough entrepreneur and co-founder of one of the chicest brands in a business rooted firmly in Mexican machismo.”

In 2009, Casa Dragones debuted Tequila Casa Dragones Joven, a rare, uniquely smooth sipping tequila made by blending silver and extra aged tequila. In 2014, Casa Dragones expanded its collection with Tequila Casa Dragones Blanco, its first style of silver tequila that is perfect for enjoying in cocktails or on the rocks.

Prior to co-founding Casa Dragones, González Nieves spent 10 years as a top executive for Jose Cuervo International, the largest tequila company in the world, holding senior marketing and commercial positions, including Commercial Director for North America, Global Director of New Business and Innovation and Global Brand Director. Prior, González Nieves served as a consultant at Booz Allen & Hamilton, where she designed and implemented marketing strategies for leading global packaged goods companies.

Jennifer Bell is the Executive Vice President of Marketing at Lettuce Entertain You. Jennifer has played a pivotal role in growing our marketing department on both a store and corporate level. Jennifer oversees and manages all facets of marketing, including PR, Frequent Diner loyalty program, gift cards, direct mail, data insights, digital, mobile app, email marketing, social media, web and graphic design.

Jennifer has grown up in restaurants with her career at Lettuce starting more than 18 years ago as a server at Maggiano’s. After she received her Mass Communications degree from Winona State University, she joined the Lettuce team and quickly progressed through the marketing department at Lettuce.

In her most recent role, Jennifer has created a great synergy between technology and marketing with the goal of enhancing our guest experience. She also focuses on maintaining Lettuce’s reputation, building customer loyalty and advancing our digital presence.

As CEO and co-founder of Omnivore, Mike Wior, leads his team in bringing to market powerful and seamless technologies transforming how the hospitality industry engages with consumers. His major focus is driving and establishing strategic partner and stakeholder relationships that are key in growing Omnivore. With an extensive background in cloud and security solutions for organizations including Wells Fargo Bank, Adobe, and Google, Mike also serves as a board member and advisor for several fast-rising restaurant technology companies. When he’s not crisscrossing the country for Omnivore business, he is a passionate fly fisherman.