Durham, N.C. (February 24, 2025) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) today announced the election of Jason Smith, owner of 18 Restaurant Group, as chair of its board of directors. Smith, a Raleigh native and accomplished restaurateur, was officially sworn in during NCRLA’s annual meeting in Durham this morning at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel. View the 2025 Board here.
Joining Smith on the leadership team are a newly elected slate of officers:
- Vice Chair: Sheri Erhart, CMC Hotels (Raleigh)
- Treasurer: Vinay Patel, SREE Hotels (Charlotte)
- Secretary: Tad Dolbier, Tar Heel Capital Corporation (Boone)
- National Restaurant Association Liaisons:
- Lance Trenary, Golden Corral Corporation (Raleigh)
- Amber Moshakos, LM Restaurants (Raleigh)
Outgoing Chair Tom Pashley of Pinehurst Resort will remain on the executive committee as immediate past chair.
The NCRLA board also welcomed seven new members, representing hospitality leaders across the state:
- Sabrina Bengel, Bengel Hospitality (New Bern)
- Dean Wendel, Concord Hospitality (Raleigh)
- Sean Potter, Built on Hospitality (Charlotte)
- Pete Byers, Summit Hospitality Group, LTD (Raleigh)
- Brenda Durden, South Asheville Hotel Associates (Asheville)
- David Mars, The Umstead Hotel and Spa (Cary)
- Paul Niswonger, First Carolina Management Hotels (Rocky Mount)
“We are thrilled to have such a dynamic group of leaders guiding NCRLA,” said Lynn Minges, NCRLA president and CEO. “Their expertise and passion will be instrumental as we tackle key industry challenges, from workforce development to advocacy efforts, that support North Carolina’s hospitality sector.”
About Jason Smith:
Jason Smith has been an active NCRLA board member since 2018. After honing his culinary skills under industry legends at Magnolia Grill in Durham, Danny Meyer’s Union Square Café, Gramercy Tavern in New York City and Charleston’s Peninsula Grill, Smith returned to Raleigh to build his restaurant empire. His 18 Restaurant Group launched with 18 Seaboard in 2006, followed by Cantina 18 and Harvest 18. In addition to his culinary ventures, Smith upholds a family tradition of philanthropy and is a proud advocate for his community. He is engaged with Safechild and serves on the boards of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and the North Carolina Symphony.
2025 NCRLA Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Jason Smith, Chair, 18 Restaurant Group
Sheri Erhart, Vice Chair, CMC Hotels
Vinay Patel, Treasurer, SREE Hotels
Tad Dolbier, Secretary, Tar Heel Capital Corporation
Lance Trenary, National Restaurant Association Liaison, Golden Corral Corporation
Amber Moshakos, National Restaurant Association Liaison, LM Restaurants
Tom Pashley, Immediate Past Chair, Pinehurst Resort
Other Members
Jeff Chandler, Chandler Foods, Inc.
Andy Clark, US Foods
Sabrina Bengel, Bengel Hospitality
Burney Jennings, Biscuitville Fresh Southern
Cheetie Kumar, Ajja
Julia McGovern, Poppyseed Market
Sean Potter, Built on Hospitality
Gonza Salamanca, Gonza Tacos Y Tequila
Steve Thanhauser, Angus Barn
Dean Wendel, Concord Hospitality
Jimmy Bennett, Quality Hospitality
Pete Byers, Summit Hospitality
Brenda Durden, South Asheville Hotel Associates
James L. Gratton, Charlotte Marriott SouthPark
Kelly Harrill, Koury Corporation/Koury Hospitality
Russ Jones, LODEN Hospitality
David Mars, The Umstead Hotel and Spa
Paul Niswonger, First Carolina Management Hotels
Nishith “Nish” Patel, Beacon IMG, Inc.
Pinkesh Patel, Ex-Officio, AAHOA Liaison
Government Affairs Chair
Billy Sewell, Platinum Corral, LLC
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About NCRLA
The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) serves to advance and protect the interests of more than 20,000 businesses that employ 9 percent of the state’s workforce and generate more than $35.8 billion in sales annually. Learn more at www.ncrla.org
