Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation
Stacy Griest currently serves as the Programs Director at the Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation since January 2022, after previously holding the role of Program Manager. Prior to this, Stacy Griest was an Assistant Professor in the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University from August 2010 to May 2021, where responsibilities included instructing students in hospitality and food and beverage management, as well as serving as the retention coordinator. Experience also includes positions as Restaurant Manager at Crafted Concepts, where Stacy Griest advanced to General Manager of Bistro Vendome, and as Human Resources & Office Manager at the San Francisco Food Bank, overseeing employment and facility maintenance. Earlier experience includes serving as General Manager for Independent Restaurant, Inc., managing multiple restaurant brands. Stacy Griest holds an MBA in Hospitality Administration/Management from Johnson and Wales University and a BA in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation
Founded in 1933, the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is the leading trade organization for the state's dynamic foodservice industry. The CRA represents, educates, and promotes an industry comprised of more than 12,400 eating and drinking establishments that provide Colorado with more than 238,000 jobs – 7% of employment in the state - and $14 billion+ in annual sales. The CRA has 5,000+ restaurant members and over 200 vendor members that provide products and services to the foodservice industry. The CRA offers independently-owned restaurant members a dual membership with the National Restaurant Association (NRA). Established in 1987, the Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) is the philanthropic arm of the CRA. The CRF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization governed by a board of directors made up of restaurants, industry experts, K-12, and post-secondary hospitality educators. The CRF's mission is the training, support, and advancement of all individuals currently in or entering the foodservice industry.