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By Ginny Hollingsworth, Pensacola News Journal
September 16, 2015

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Greater Pensacola Chapter

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s (FRLA) Greater Pensacola Chapter has announced the installation of new officers for 2015.

President Gus Silivos, a third generation restaurateur, owns and operates Scenic 90 Cafe and Nancy’s Catering and Events. Following in the footsteps of his step-father and grandfather, Silivos began working in the family business at the age of 11. He learned each aspect of the restaurant with hands on experience. His formal education includes graduating with a business degree from the University of West Florida. From there he pursued his love of the culinary by attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., from which he graduated in May of 1982. After graduation and an internship, Silivos returned to Pensacola to the family business. He is a founding member of the local chapter of the American Culinary Federation and has served as president and treasurer. He was instrumental in the development of a local culinary and apprenticeship program with Pensacola State College. Silivos is a member of Five Flags Rotary and a Paul Harris fellow, and has been a member of the FRLA for more than 40 years.

VP of Lodging Joe McCay began his career in hospitality at the Dunes Hotel on Pensacola Beach after an 18 year career in education as a teacher and football coach. He took the job temporarily and became hooked on hospitality management. McCay went on to manage the Holiday Inn Pensacola Beach and currently is the general manager of the Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand and operations manager of the Margaritaville Beach Hotel. The Crowne Plaza has won two IHG Torchbearers and three IHG Quality Excellence Awards over the past five years. Margaritaville was named to the Expedia Select list and the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame after being open only five years. McCay has served as past president of the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce.

VP of Restaurants Dave Knudsen has been a franchise consultant for Family Sports Franchise Company, dba Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, for the past 10 years. His area covers 42 locations in nine states, along with locations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Prior to his current role, Knudsen was owner and operator of Mr. Manatee’s Casual Grille, Cisco’s Mexican Restaurant, and Quietwater Beach Concessions. He also served as vice president of Panhandle Foods, 18 Rax Restaurants in Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana and as director of operations for seven Wendy’s in Pensacola and Ft. Walton Beach. Knudsen has been with the FRLA since 1996, is a past chapter president and served as chairman of the FRLA’s Educational Foundation. He served in the United States Marine Corps, and attended Harper College and LaSalle University.

Treasurer Robert Remig is vice president, insurance and risk consultant, with Fisher Brown Insurance. His responsibilities include risk analysis, program design, client development and retention. Prior to joining Fisher Brown, Remig held similar positions at Marsh and Aon in Silicon Valley. He began his career as an underwriter and reinsurance broker, with Aetna C & S, and TPF & C, in New York. Remig holds a bachelor’s degree with a major in Insurance and Risk Management, from The Tobin School of Business, St. John’s University.

In addition to the officers, the Greater Pensacola Chapter also swore in the following Board of Directors:

•Lisa Assante, University of West Florida.

•Reid Radford, Alsco Linens.

•Steve Sapp, Heartland.

•Steve Mobley, Johnny Huston’s Grille and Bar.

•Dennis Barnes, Barnes Insurance.

•Beverly McCay, Holiday Inn Express Hotel.

•Maria Goldberg, Great Southern Restaurants Group.

•Drew Hardgrave, alternate, Hiles McLeod Insurance.

Greater Pensacola Chamber 

The Greater Pensacola Chamber performed ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the following partners:

Tarbuck Insurance Services, which is a family-owned and operated agency, with Joe Tarbuck Jr., Sandra Rich, Scott Isern and Leisa Tarbuck completing their staff. The company is located on North Ninth Avenue and covers all insurance needs including automotive, homeowners, commercial, health and more.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida and Pensacola Young Professionals, both recently moving into the Rhodes Building on North Jefferson Street, and are sharing a space. The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida leads the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome challenges created by epilepsy. Pensacola Young Professionals strive to improve the community by sharing their passion, leading by example and acting as a catalyst for positive change.

Compiled by Ginny Hollingsworth, business@pnj.com