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Lynne Breaux Announces Plans to Step Down as President of RAMW

July 29, 2012
Lynne Breaux Announces Plans to Step Down as President of the
Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington
 
     At the July Board of Directors meeting on Monday July 30, President of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), Lynne Breaux, informed members that she will not seek renewal of her contract with RAMW when it expires.
 
     The timing of Ms. Breaux’s announcement will provide the RAMW Board of Directors sufficient time to develop a transition plan, recruit candidates for the position and hire a new head of the association in a timely manner. In announcing her decision, Lynne “thanked all the team players – staff, executive committee and board members that she has worked with over the years enabling RAMW to grow in membership, visibility and viability.”

                                       Open Letter to RAMW Membership from
                                         Chairman of the Board

     After serving as head of the association for the last 10 plus years, Lynne has decided not to renew her contract as President of RAMW, which expires in March 2013. We are in the process of forming a search committee to ensure a smooth transition.

     It should go without saying that Lynne will be sorely missed and we wish that this day had never come. But for the one or two of you out there that may not be familiar with the history of RAMW or just may not stop to think about what it takes to run an association I would like to take a moment to say a few words about Lynne’s tenure as President of RAMW.
 
     Over ten years ago, RAMW had less than a quarter of the membership we have today. We had lost our Maryland membership in a territorial dispute with that state’s association and there was a serious threat to our Northern Virginia membership. The RAMMYS weren’t called the RAMMYS yet and gala attendance hovered around 500. There were only 3 staff members, including Lynne, and there was a very anemic budget and minimal reserve fund.

     Fast forward to today and RAMW has a robust membership roster of over 700 members, including a very strong and involved contingent in Virginia with more Maryland membership coming on board. As you will hear later in the Gala Report, the RAMMYS have become THE industry event and a hellava party with around 1,500 attendees and a fundraising success that supports a quarter of the RAMW budget. The RAMW staff has more than doubled to 6 full-time and the financial profile of RAMW is incredibly healthy and growing.

     Through the years as RAMW was growing under Lynne’s leadership, and with the assistance of RAMW team players, staff, board members, Andrew Kline as legislative consultant and Sam LeBlanc as financial officer, Lynne was also developing the relationships with lawmakers and regulatory agency heads that would be instrumental in getting the voice of the restaurant industry heard and having an immense impact on the way laws are passed and regulations are made that affect our industry. Lynne has also been a shameless promoter of restaurants in our region with local and national media – The Washington Post, New York Times, Washington Business Journal, FOX5, NBC4, countless blogs and online local, national and international news outlets – you name it and Lynne’s more than likely been quoted, featured and/or pictured in it.

     There simply is no way to list all that Lynne has accomplished through and with RAMW. Suffice it say that Lynne’s successor will inherit a strong, well-respected, financially healthy association with which to continue her great work on behalf of the restaurant industry.

Sincerely,
 

Gregory Casten
Chairman
RAMW Board of Directors