DURHAM, N.C. (February 23, 2026) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), today announced the election of Sheri Erhart, chief operating officer of CMC Hotels, as chair of its board of directors. Erhart was officially sworn in during NCRLA’s Annual Meeting in Durham.
Joining Erhart on the leadership team is a newly elected slate of officers:
- Vice Chair: Vinay Patel, SREE Hotels (Charlotte)
- Treasurer: Tad Dolbier, Tar Heel Capital Corporation (Boone)
- Secretary: Steve Thanhauser, Angus Barn (Raleigh)
- National Restaurant Association Liaisons:
- Lance Trenary, Golden Corral Corporation (Raleigh)
- Amber Moshakos, LM Restaurants (Raleigh)
Outgoing Chair Jason Smith of 18 Restaurant Group will remain on the executive committee as immediate past chair.
The NCRLA Board also welcomed four new members, representing hospitality leaders from across North Carolina:
- Paul Adkison, CO-X Holdings (Greenville)
- Kyle Highberg, Biltmore Farms (Asheville)
- Liza Merrell, 81 Hospitality Group (Atlantic Beach)
- Billy Sewell, Platinum Corral (Jacksonville)
“Sheri is a respected and proven leader whose experience and perspective will be invaluable as our industry continues to evolve,” said Allen Thomas, president and CEO of NCRLA. “With this exceptional board and leadership team, NCRLA is well positioned to advance workforce solutions, strengthen advocacy efforts, and ensure North Carolina’s hospitality industry remains a powerful economic engine for communities across our state.”
About Sheri Erhart
Erhart joined CMC Hotels in 1997 after graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in industrial engineering. She currently serves as chair of the Executive Board of Directors for the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and has been a member of Marriott’s Owner Advisory Council since 2016. Erhart has served on NCRLA’s Board of Directors since 2021.
About NCRLA
The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) advances and protects the interests of more than 20,000 restaurants, hotels, and hospitality businesses that employ nearly 11 percent of North Carolina’s workforce and generate more than $35.8 billion in annual sales. Learn more at www.ncrla.org.
2026 Board of Directors
Executive Committee
- Sheri Erhart, Chair, CMC Hotels
- Vinay Patel, Vice Chair, SREE Hotels
- Tad Dolbier, Treasurer, Tar Heel Capital Corporation
- Steve Thanhauser, Secretary, Angus Barn
- Lance Trenary, National Restaurant Association Liaison, Golden Corral Corporation
- Amber Moshakos, National Restaurant Association Liaison, LM Restaurants
- Jason Smith, Immediate Past Chair, 18 Restaurant Group
Board 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
- Liza Merrell, 81 Hospitality Group
- Sean Potter, Built On Hospitality
- Billy Sewell, Platinum Corral
- Paul Adkison, CO-X Holdings
- Pete Byers, Summit Hospitality
- Brenda Durden, South Asheville Hotel Associates
- James L. Gratton, Marriot International
- Kelly Harrill, Koury Corporation / Koury Hospitality
- Kyle Highberg, Biltmore Farms
- Russ Jones, LODEN Hospitality
- Paul Niswonger, First Carolina Management Hotels
- Tom Pashley, Pinehurst Resort
- Pinkesh Patel, Ex Officio, AAHOA Liaison
Government Affairs Chair
- Billy Sewell, Platinum Corral, LLC
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