Dennis B. Mullen
Chairman and CEO
Dennis Mullen brings more than 30 years of restaurant industry experience and passion
to Red Robin where he serves as Chairman and CEO. In this role, Dennis applies
his industry knowledge and expertise as he leads the overall company direction and
oversees all Red Robin activities, including communications with investors and the
board of directors.
Dennis joined the Red Robin family in 2002 when he became a member of the board
of directors. He also is a board member for Denver-based Janus Funds. His extensive
restaurant career includes serving as CEO for several concepts including Cork &
Clever Restaurants of Denver, Colo., Pedro Verde's Mexican Restaurants, Inc. of
Boulder, Colo., Garcia's Restaurants, Inc. of Phoenix, Ariz. and BCNw, a franchisee
of Boston Chicken, Inc. in Seattle, Wash.
Originally from Charles City, Iowa, Dennis graduated from the University of Northern
Iowa, with a bachelor's degree in business.
Dennis' favorite Red Robin Gourmet Burger is the Crispy Chicken Burger.
Eric C. Houseman
President and Chief Operating Officer
Eric Houseman's extensive experience in the hospitality industry includes a career of over 20 years with Red Robin. Eric directs overall restaurant operations by executing proven strategies and efficiencies that impact business growth and maximize financial results.
Eric's experience and knowledge includes operations, financial performance, human resources, recruiting, training, franchise operations and facilities. He began his career with Red Robin in 1988, when he served as a bartender at the Bellingham, Wash. restaurant, formerly owned by a franchisee. He joined the Company in 1993, and he has been successful serving in a variety of positions at Red Robin including general manager, regional operations director and most recently, vice president of operations.
Eric grew up in Vancouver, Wash., and received bachelor's degrees in English and political science from Western Washington University. He is also an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
Eric has also served as a board member for the Colorado Restaurant Association and is currently a board member for Special Olympics Colorado.
In 2007, Eric was recognized by the Denver Business Journal in their Forty Under 40 list.
Eric's favorite Red Robin Gourmet Burger is the Bleu Ribbon Burger.
Katie Scherping
Chief Financial Officer
With nearly 25 years of finance, accounting and managerial experience, Katie Scherping
serves as Red Robin's chief financial officer. In this role, Katie oversees all
financial aspects of the restaurant company, including financial reporting and compliance,
financial planning and analysis, and investor relations.
Katie began her career in Denver in the early 1980's as an auditor with Arthur Andersen.
She moved on to various accounting positions within companies in the oil and gas
industry, including Apache Petroleum. In 1990, Katie joined the Alert Centre, a
security alarm monitoring company, where she led the financial team through a Chapter
11 bankruptcy to emerge as a public company listed on the American Stock Exchange.
Alert Centre was sold to ADT Security Services in 1996, at which time Katie assumed
the position of corporate controller. In 1998, Katie accepted the role of director
of technical accounting and internal reporting with Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI).
Katie was instrumental in the integration of TCI with AT&T Broadband after their
merger. In 1999, Katie accepted a position with Tanning Technology Corporation,
an IT services consulting firm. As director of finance and treasurer, Katie led
Tanning through an initial public offering and listing on the NASDAQ. In 2002, Katie
was named chief financial officer, and the following year led the company as it
was being sold to a private equity buyer. In 2004, Katie spent a year at a privately-held
company, Policy Studies, Inc. as its controller before joining Red Robin in 2005.
Katie was recently awarded the 2006 Jean Yancey Award for Outstanding Women in Business
by the Denver chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the
Denver Business Journal.
Katie grew up in Aurora, Ill. and holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting
from Northern Illinois University, and is a CPA.
Katie's favorite Red Robin Gourmet Burger is her own customized creation from Red
Robin – honey mustard chicken, no guacamole, no onion, on a wheat bun.
Annita M. Menogan
Senior Vice President, Secretary, Chief Legal Officer
With nearly 25 years of experience in law, Annita is currently responsible for oversight
of all legal matters for Red Robin, compliance and corporate governance.
Prior to joining Red Robin, Annita was vice president, secretary and deputy general
counsel with Molson Coors Brewing Company (formerly Adolph Coors Company). Annita
was formerly in private practice, and has more than 24 years experience in law with
an emphasis on SEC and public companies work, mergers, acquisitions and corporate
law. Before turning to law, Annita was a commercial artist and graphic designer.
Annita grew up in Denver, Colo. and received her bachelor's degree in fine arts
from the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, Calif., and her juris doctor from
the University of Denver. Annita has chaired and served as an officer on several
bar associations and Colorado Supreme Court committees; co-chaired Governor Owens'
Task Force on Business Law Courts; and is actively involved with several community
organizations.
Annita's favorite Red Robin Gourmet Burger is the Whiskey River® BBQ Burger.
Todd Brighton
Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer
Todd Brighton brings extensive consumer and food and beverage industry experience
to Red Robin as senior vice president and chief development officer. In this position,
Todd is responsible for helping the company achieve its goals through leading development
and opening new corporate and franchise restaurants across North America.
Prior to joining Red Robin, Todd worked for RTM Restaurant Group in addition to
being a partner in a real estate business for several years. Todd previously worked
for PepsiCo, Blockbuster, and Quantum Restaurant Group.
Todd grew up in various states throughout the Midwest and received his bachelor's
degree in business management and psychology and his master's in organizational
management from Western Michigan University.
Todd has been married to his wife, Wendy, for more than 15 years and has a daughter, Sedona, and twin boys, Preston and Cameron. In addition to spending time with his family, Todd enjoys traveling and exercising in his spare time.
Todd's favorite Red Robin Gourmet Burger is the A.1.® Peppercorn Burger.
Susan Lintonsmith
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Susan Lintonsmith is a seasoned business executive with over 20 years of experience building world-class brands. She brings extensive restaurant and food and beverage industry experience to Red Robin as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. Susan is responsible for leading the strategic development and execution of Red Robin's brand strategies. She oversees and is responsible for Strategic Planning, Marketing and Loyalty, Communications, Corporate Responsibility, Guest Relations, Menu Leadership and Research & Development. Before joining Red Robin, Susan was vice president and general manager for WhiteWave/Dean Foods' Horizon Organic brand. Prior to WhiteWave, she served as vice president of global marketing with Western Union, and served in various marketing positions with the Coca-Cola Company and Pizza Hut Inc.
Susan grew up in Denver, Colo. and received her bachelor's of business administration from the University of Notre Dame and her MBA in Marketing and Finance from Indiana University.
Susan's favorite Red Robin menu item is the Crispy Arctic Cod Sandwich