California Restaurant Association Chairman Prepares to Pass the Torch to New Leader
Southern California Restaurateur Completes Successful Year as Industry Leader
Sacramento, Calif. — On September 1, California Restaurant Association (CRA) Board Chairman Jeff King, Chairman of King’s Seafood Co. in Costa Mesa, will pass his position as the state’s industry leader to G. Bric Haley of the River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant in Tahoe City.
“It has been an exciting year of growth and change for the CRA. We have increased our membership and our revenue,” said King. “We have accomplished many things within the organization including a major change to our brand, a fabulous new marquee event—CRAVE the Experience—and the newly-created Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to inaugural recipient Chris Sullivan earlier this month. This has been an amazing year for the CRA and I am proud to have been a part of it.”
King was instrumental in helping lead the Association through its transformation over the past year. These changes have included a rebrand that encompassed a new identity and brand platform, Web site and publication among other industry tools and resources. Under King, the Association also developed a Lifetime Achievement Award to honor extraordinary individuals who have greatly influenced, made outstanding contributions to and provided exceptional leadership for the California restaurant and hospitality industry.
“Jeff has been a dynamic leader, bringing new ideas and ways of doing things to the CRA,” said Jot Condie, President and CEO of the CRA. “The Association has made great strides under Jeff’s guidance this past year.”
Incoming chairman G. Bric Haley started in restaurant management in 1969 with Chuck’s Steakhouse in Los Altos, California. In 1973 he built the Hatch Cover Restaurant, a waterfront steakhouse on the San Joaquin Delta in Stockton, California. He went on to build two more restaurants in Stockton in the 1980s, Shannon’s Seafood Restaurant and Strawberry’s. In 1996 Bric and his family relocated to North Lake Tahoe when he became the managing partner of the historic River Ranch Lodge, which was built in the late 1940’s on the banks of the Truckee River. Haley has been active on the Board of Directors for nearly 20 years.
“Jeff has been an incredible leader and a passionate champion for the CRA,” said Haley. “Over the past year the CRA has seen great progress and development. I look forward to the next year as Chairman of this great organization.”
The official changing of the guard will take place on September 1. In addition, Steven J. Fricker of Daphne’s Greek Cafe will become First Vice Chairman of the CRA and Russ Bendel of Mimi’s Café will become Second Vice Chairman.
