leadership

Orlando, Florida – October 07, 2026 -- Red Lobster has appointed Andy Pitts as Chief Marketing Officer and Jon Tryzbiak as Chief Information Officer, completing a leadership restructuring aimed at accelerating the seafood chain's digital and operational transformation.

Pitts moves from interim CMO to permanent role after launching loyalty program

Pitts has served as interim chief marketing officer since January 2026, a period during which he led Red Lobster's digital transformation and the launch of Red Lobster Nation, a redesigned loyalty program giving members more flexibility in earning rewards. He brings nearly two decades of restaurant marketing experience from brands including Wingstop, Smoothie King, Fogo de Chão and Dairy Queen. In his new role, Pitts will oversee brand strategy and guest engagement across channels.

Newark, N.J. – October 07, 2026 -- Cheryl McCants, Founder and CEO of Impact Consulting Enterprises, was named one of 50 inaugural honorees in the Women to KNOW in New Jersey program, a recognition presented by KNOW Women for leadership, entrepreneurship and community impact across the state.

McCants is honored for nearly four decades of business and civic leadership

Chicago – – October 07, 2026 -- Archer Lewis CEO Jake Nice has been named to Crain's Chicago Business 40 Under 40 class of 2026, recognizing his role in building the firm into a top-70 U.S. accounting practice in under two years.

Archer Lewis consolidated 42 firms into a single national brand since its 2024 launch

Since establishing Archer Lewis in 2024, Nice has led the integration of 42 accounting firms from across the country under one brand, with specialties spanning tax, attest and client accounting services. The firm now employs more than 600 team members serving 63,000 clients nationwide.

Tysons, Va. – October 07, 2026 -- Oddball, a digital services agency focused on government technology modernization, has appointed Kathy Klapacz as Chief Operating Officer, bringing 20 years of federal executive leadership experience to the role.

Klapacz previously managed federal portfolios exceeding $100 million

Klapacz has led complex federal programs valued at more than $100 million and organizations with upwards of 400 personnel, according to the company. Her career spans operational strategy, technology transformation, and cloud modernization initiatives at agencies including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Defense Health Agency (DHA).

Frisco, Texas – October 06, 2026 -- Gahn Lane, MBA, chief operating officer and chief of strategy at Double T Holdings, has been named a Pinnacle Professional Member of The Inner Circle of Excellence for leading the company's strategic diversification and transformation since 2023.

Double T Holdings shifts from cattle ranching into a multi-asset investment portfolio

Under Lane's leadership, the company has evolved from its origins as a cattle ranch and cotton farm into a diversified enterprise holding positions in REITs, funds, stocks and vending operations.

New subsidiaries target water and ice supply for industrial and institutional buyers

Lane launched two subsidiaries, Double T Ice and Double T Services, to supply pure water and ice to communities, schools, factories and construction sites.

Armonk, N.Y. – October 01, 2026 -- IBM has elected Frank Baker, 53, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Siris Capital Group, to its board of directors, effective October 1, 2026.

Siris Capital has deployed more than $9 billion in equity across tech and data-focused companies

Baker oversees Siris' portfolio and leads its investment strategy, focusing on value creation in established technology firms with mission-critical products navigating technological shifts.

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna cites Baker's strategy-driven mindset as key to shareholder value

Krishna said the company is excited to welcome Baker to the board, adding that his expertise and leadership will strengthen IBM's business as it advances enterprise-wide technology transformation for clients.

Nashville – October 01, 2026 -- Sound Physicians has appointed Sergio Zanotti, MD, FCCM, as Chief Executive Officer of its Critical Care specialty, placing him in charge of programs that treat more than 170,000 critically ill patients annually.

Zanotti takes over strategy for a specialty treating 170,000 ICU patients per year

In the role, Dr. Zanotti will oversee operations for Sound Critical Care, working with regional and specialty leadership as well as hospital and health system partners nationwide to implement evidence-based clinical programs. He will also continue supporting physician leadership development across Sound's other clinical specialties.

Lincoln, Neb. – September 30, 2026 -- Assurity has appointed Draper Daniel as Vice President of Customer Connections, placing him in charge of the insurer's customer service operations and experience strategy.

Daniel brings 28 years of insurance industry leadership to the role

Daniel has spent more than 28 years in the insurance sector, with a track record in operational leadership and business transformation. He has previously managed large customer service organizations and led high-performing teams focused on operational improvement.

Assurity executive cites fit with company's continuous improvement culture

Tara Benson, Assurity's Senior Vice President of Operations, said Daniel's experience combining people, process, technology and strategy would help the company evolve how it serves customers and distribution partners.

Englewood, Colo. – – September 29, 2026 -- Footprints Floors founder and CEO Bryan Park has been named one of the Denver Business Journal's Most Admired CEOs of 2026, marking a milestone for the flooring franchise he built from a single Colorado operation into a national network of more than 150 territories.

Air Force veteran built franchise from 2008 financial crisis into 150-territory network

Park founded Footprints Floors in 2008 during the financial crisis, spotting a gap for greater transparency and reliability in flooring installation. He structured the business around a lower-overhead model in which customers buy materials directly from vendors of their choice while the company manages professional installation, avoiding traditional showroom and inventory costs.

Syracuse, N.Y. – September 29, 2026 -- Leslie Jemiolo, Director of Partner Marketing at MarketDesign Consulting Inc., has been named a finalist for CRN's 2026 Women of the Year Awards in the Solution Provider category.

CRN recognizes Jemiolo for building partner ecosystems across telecom, solution provider and manufacturing sectors.

Her nomination cites decades of channel experience translating vendor-partner relationships into measurable business growth, according to the announcement from MarketDesign Consulting Inc.