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RAMW Staff
 Kathy E. HollingerRAMW President
Kathy Hollinger was named President of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) in December 2012. Prior to her position as President of RAMW, Mrs. Hollinger established STORYBOARD Communications, LLC. After developing a rich career in strategic communications and public affairs, Hollinger created the boutique communications agency leveraging her years of experience in public relations, branding and event marketing. Whether it’s managing a crisis, devising long-term strategies, or assembling top-notch teams to execute visibility campaigns, Hollinger’s boundless enthusiasm and perspective add clarity and credence to any project, company or brand.
Prior to founding STORYBOARD, Hollinger served as the film commissioner and agency director of the District Columbia Office Motion Picture and Television Development, where she was responsible for promoting the nation's capital for a venue for film and television production nationally and internationally. She initiated, implemented and managed new programs, operations and logistics that established the Washington, DC market as a premier destination of choice film, television production, video and multimedia projects. Before the appointment by Washington, DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Hollinger was the senior director of external affairs for Comcast of the District. There she increased the visibility and presence of the company and its brand within the District’s footprint. Under her leadership, Comcast received the “Business of the Year” award from the DC Chamber of Commerce, and the “Champions of Excellence Award” from the US Conference of Mayors. Hollinger was recognized by CableFAX as one of the “Most Influential Minorities in Cable,” in a 2008 roundup of the most diverse power brokers and inspirational leaders working in the communications industry. Hollinger began her career with the City Council of the District of Columbia, working as the campaign press director and director of communications for DC Councilmember Charlene Drew Jarvis, and later, as chief of staff for DC Councilmember Kevin P. Chavous.
Hollinger holds a Master of Arts in Public Communication and Public Policy from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts from American University. In 2010, she returned to American University to teach as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Communication.
Past boards, committee appointments and community activities include The DC Chamber of Commerce, Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund and the Capital Breast Care Center.
Betsy Allman
Policy Advisor As the Policy Advisor, Betsy has become invaluable in assisting with several areas within the organization. Right away she jumped into the fray organizing and archiving the tremendous amount of information that drives this organization. Betsy's no stranger to the industry. Although she's a native Washingtonian, Betsy started her hospitality travels in New Orleans Steamboatin' with the Delta Queen and New Orleans Steamboat Companies. As a charter sales rep at NOSC she booked parties on the steamboats for up to 2,300 passengers and specialized in entertainment industry events including the cast party for the road company of Evita and the crew party for the Rolling Stones tour (never did get one of those brownies they were passing around). After almost three years in NOLA, it was back to DC as Assistant Director of Catering at the Ritz-Carlton. Soon to join her at the Ritz as Director of Catering was Lynne Breaux. Up to this point in Betsy's hospitality career it was all front of the house, but family history began to exert its pressures to try her hand in the kitchen. As the youngest girl in a family of seven kids, the chore choices were clear for her - it's a lot more fun making the mess than cleaning it up. Here again, Lynne and Betsy teamed up and Lynne's Capitol Hill restaurant got a new cook. The kitchen took Betsy in green and passed her on a bit, well, black and blue but ready to tackle larger and more varied cooking venues including the ARAMARK Inter-American Development Bank and Federal Reserve Board components. More recently, Betsy was honing her customer service and operations skills in retail, the latest being the Marvelous Market store at Gallery Place.
Ishi Patterson
Operations Director As Operations Director, I-shi (EYE SHE) works to ensure that our members are utilizing RAMW benefits and programs. She also works closely with our Endorsed Providers and vendors in providing additional services, workshops and seminars for the membership. She is the go-to person for benefit questions and vendor referrals. I-shi also cordinates our bi-annual Restaurant Week promotions and RAMMY Awards Gala sponsorships and ticketing. A Computer Information Systems and Business Administration graduate of Strayer University, I-shi brings a mixture of computer savvy, great management abiltiy and an accounting background to RAMW. Prior to joining our team, she worked with a national media distribution company and became quite familiar with a few of our members while she was on the staff of Bowers Communications. I-shi has also worked closely with Balancing Act; another active member of the Association.
Julie Sproesser
Membership & Events Director
A native of Northern Virginia, Julie Sproesser recently returned to the Washington, DC area and joins RAMW as Membership and Events Director.
Julie has over ten years of experience in the food and hospitality industry. After earning a degree from The Institute of Culinary Education in New York, she spent six years as general manager of Prune restaurant in New York City’s Lower East Side. Working with New York
Times best-selling
author, Gabrielle Hamilton, Julie honed her skills as a line cook and then as a manager. Also serving as catering director, she gained valuable experience in event planning and execution.
Prior to culinary school, Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from James Madison University (VA) where she ran the student newspaper while catering parties on the side. Seeking to combine her backgrounds in food and journalism, she joins RAMW most recently from Canal House Cooking, a seasonal cookbook series and website started in 2009 by Saveur magazine alums, Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton. At Canal House, Julie wore many hats from creating operational structure for the grassroots company to pioneering sales of the cookbook series to retail stores nationwide.
Julie has a true passion for the restaurant business and cannot imagine working in any other industry.
Tracey Wyatt
Office & Training Manager
As Office & Training Manager, Tracey coordinates RAMW’s food and alcohol certification programs, as well as, ensures the RAMW office operates in top form. The consumate hostess, Tracey is always welcoming with a warm smile.
A London native and a graduate of Kingsway Princeton College with a diploma in business studies, Tracey brings over 16 years of administrative experience. In her prior position, Tracey worked as a Sr. Administrative Assistant in the Public Policy Department at nationally known organization.
Kyle Rees
Communications Manager
A native of Virginia, Kyle returned to the DC area after earning a degree in Communication Studies from the College of Charleston and spent two years working for an independently owned real estate firm. During his tenure there Kyle coordinated the design and maintenance of the firm’s new website. He worked with agents to facilitate the adoption of new technology and led classes on online advertising, social media and other web-based technology.
Kyle joined the RAMW team in May of 2012 and works to ensure clear, consistent and effective communication with all RAMW members, and other interested parties, across all platforms. In addition to this, Kyle has been identified has RAMW’s lead on issues regarding sustainability and the environment. On a personal note, Kyle speaks French, likes to travel and dreams of bringing Southern fare to Brussels, Belgium. Kyle is a welcome addition to the RAMW team. |
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2008 RAMMYS
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