Executive Team | Centerplate

Skilled. Informed. Engaged. Collectively, our executives make up one of the strongest management teams within the hospitality industry, with a confidence and prowess derived from years of experience at all levels of business.

The advantage to our clients is an unmatched pool of knowledge employed on their behalf to drive enviable Returns. Having leadership like this at the helm of our organization is a considerable component of both Centerplate and our clients’ success.

Des Hague, President and CEO

Des’ experience in the upper-echelons of foodservice management is unparalleled. Prior to taking on the role of President and CEO of Centerplate, Des was the President of IHOP Restaurants, a division of DineEquity, Inc., the largest full-service restaurant company in the world. Before joining IHOP, he was President of the Foodservice Division for Safeway, a nationwide grocer with 1,775 locations across North America. In addition, Des was the Chief Executive Officer of Hot Stuff Foods, a leading provider of turnkey foodservice solutions to convenience stores. Des has also held management positions within 7-Eleven, Inc., Pizza Hut and Whitbread PLC. With his extensive background, broad-based industry experience and commitment to fostering an extraordinary guest experience, Des deftly guides Centerplate’s continued growth and development.

Chris Verros, Chief Operating Officer

With over 25 years of sports, entertainment, and convention hospitality operations experience, Chris is recognized as one of the strongest executives in the industry. Prior to joining Centerplate, he held senior leadership positions at the Boston Culinary Group, Fine Host, and FanFare. Over the course of his career, he has held nearly every position imaginable in venue operations and he has created a solid track record of success. In his current position Chris oversees all of the company's venue operations as well as its new business development efforts and promotions and retail merchandise functions.

Hadi K. Monavar, Chief Financial Officer

A true visionary with an aptitude for long-range planning, Hadi is an enterprising, results-oriented executive who seeks significant return on investment for both Centerplate and our clients. With more than 20 years experience across Centerplate’s multi-faceted business operations, Hadi’s expertise helps create strong business alliances, wise investment decisions and implementation of state-of-the-art financial and accounting systems. His high professional standards and incisive approach to evaluating business opportunities underscore Centerplate’s strategic growth initiatives.

A respected executive with a richly diverse business background in banking, financial planning, risk management, accounting and investments, Hadi has a keen interest in the evolution of the hospitality industry.

Adam Elliott, President, The Lindley Group

Adam heads The Lindley Group, Centerplate's newest division serving stadiums, convention centers and heritage sites in the U.K. A passionate foodie with an exceptional eye for detail, Adam stepped into the post of chief executive at The Lindley Group in September 2010, with a successful career in leadership positions at retail giant Sainsbury's, as well as notable restaurants and stadium caterers. Under Adam, the The Lindley Group rolled out a range of successful branded food retail concepts at sports stadia and netted several large contracts, including Tottenham Hotspur FC's White Hart Lane Stadium (where sales posted near 20% increases) and The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London--The Making of Harry Potter.

Michael Kaufman-President, Centerplate Restaurant Group

Michael is deeply knowledgeable regarding restaurant strategy and branding. For over a decade, Kaufman served as President and owner/operator/franchisor of four major casual and family restaurant chains with aggregate annual system sales in excess of $1 billion. Kaufman is a past Chairman of the Board of the National Restaurant Association and serves as a trustee of The Culinary Institute of America and a director of Benihana, Inc.

In addition to assisting Centerplate optimize its restaurant and club spaces within its partner-venues, Michael oversees the Centerplate Restaurant Group, featuring the popular brands John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House, Harry's Smokehouse and Harry's Tap Room. A graduate of Harvard College and Law School, Kaufman has received numerous awards, including the FTA Hospitality Award for Lifetime Excellence, the Cecil B. Day Ethics Award and the Nations Restaurant News Golden Chain Award.

Bob Pascal, Chief Marketing Officer

Bob serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for Centerplate. In this role, he oversees the company’s branding, marketing, advertising and corporate public relations efforts. He is an ardent believer in the power of hospitality to drive the business success of sports, convention and entertainment facilities. With Centerplate, Bob has conducted extensive research into guest attitudes, perceptions and behavior to develop successful hospitality strategies that build brands, foster loyalty and generate incremental sales. Prior to joining Centerplate in 2004, Bob spent 10 years in marketing positions in the consumer packaged goods and financial services industries.

Keith B. W. King, Chief Legal Officer

Keith joins Centerplate from DineEquity, Inc, and brings more than 15 years of experience and a strong legal background to our company. Previously associate general counsel at DineEquity, Inc., Keith successfully managed its in-house legal team and nationwide counsel introducing innovative business tactics to achieve revenue-enhancing objectives. His high profile background also includes the $2.1 billion acquisition of Applebee’s International in 2007. Keith is a member of Centerplate’s executive team. He serves as general counsel, responsible for corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, business and legal affairs. Keith is a former member of the U.S. Speedskating Team. His depth of experience supports and enhances Centerplate’s strategic business objectives.

Roy Arnold, Chief Talent Officer

Before joining Centerplate, Roy was President and CEO of Arlington Park International, a subsidiary of Churchill Downs, Incorporated, following an extensive and highly successful 30-year military career in the United States Marine Corps (where, as the assistant wing commander for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Arnold commanded six aircraft groups and approximately 17,000 troops while overseeing a $600 million dollar operations budget for his last assignment).