CELEBRATING WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

March is Women’s History Month, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the month than by recognizing some of the tremendous women in key leadership roles within our JAMCO Interests family of companies. I know I speak for everyone in our organization when I say we are extremely proud to have four women with the word “Chief” in their titles.

I’ve long believed the best talent rises to the top if presented with the appropriate opportunities. In the case of each of these talented leaders, not only are they some of the best women leaders I’ve come across in my career, but they are also simply some of the best leaders I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Each of these women has diverse backgrounds and has proven – over and over – that they can successfully add both expanded responsibilities and purviews to their portfolios of work. As we share a little about their professional lives, please join me in celebrating them and sharing their background as inspiration for others.

MITZI BROWN, Partner, JAMCO Interests, & Chief Legal Officer, BRIX Holdings/Friendly’s Restaurants

Having worked with Mitzi since our days at Blockbuster, where she was Associate Corporate Counsel and, later, Vice President of Legal and Digital Content, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with, and I wanted to have her leading our legal efforts. She joined BRIX as Chief Legal Officer in 2011 and later helped us create JAMCO Interests. Mitzi also uses her many talents to help philanthropic causes, including working with the Patriot Paws Service Dogs organization in Dallas since 2015 and leading the organization as its Chair since 2019.

CARISSA DE SANTIS, Chief Technology Officer, BRIX Holdings/Friendly’s Restaurants

Given the dramatic impact technology is having on the restaurant industry, we are fortunate to have a Chief Technology Officer who has literally grown up in the business and possesses not only a deep understanding of technology systems but also of restaurant operations. Truly a one-of-a-kind CTO, Carissa led the information and technology roles at TGI Friday’s and, later, Dickey’s BBQ before becoming CTO of Brix Brands and Friendly’s Restaurants in December 2021. With countless awards to her credit, Carissa was recently named the Orbie Awards 2021 Finalist for the Dallas CIO of the Year and Franchising.com’s 2021 Female Fast Riser. 

YVETTE MARTINEZ, Chief OPERATIONS Officer, BRIX Holdings

Some might say there is no better way to learn about an organization than by working from the ground up, and that’s true for Yvette. She started working with Souper Salad, one of the BRIX brands, as a cashier in 1999, and rose through the organization’s ranks, ultimately becoming District Manager (Houston) and later Director of Operations. She eventually added RedBrick Pizza, to her portfolio, before assuming her current position as COO for BRIX company-owned stores. In addition to her corporate role, Yvette is also a BRIX franchisee, having recently purchased the Souper Salad in Pasadena, Texas, the restaurant where she began her career.

DAWN PETITE, Chief Operating Officer Friendly’s Restaurants 

As a teenager, Dawn worked as a server in her local Friendly’s restaurant, never dreaming it would become her future career. After working her way up to chief operating officer for Friendly’s largest franchisee, she was named COO of Friendly’s Restaurants, a JAMCO company, in January 2021. With more than 30 years in the restaurant industry, working on both the franchise and franchisor sides of the business, Dawn has a unique ground-up perspective that truly benefits our organization. An incredible leader and restaurateur, Dawn credits much of her success to the development and advancement of the great people who report to her.

I’m continually impressed by great leaders, and none more than these women who deliver day in and day out for our organizations. We are better because of them and the experience and skills they bring to our tables, quite literally. So, for Women’s History Month, I share a toast: Here’s to expanding opportunities for women in leadership everywhere.