Nancy Sharp

President and CEO

Dan Pinsel

Vice President of Finance

Since she co-founded the company in 1983, Ms. Sharp has been an essential part of its success. In her role as president and CEO she continues to shape the company’s brand image and leads the growth strategy. Her professional background combines formal training with hands-on experience from Hyatt and Hilton Hotels. Ms. Sharp was recently inducted into the University of Illinois at Chicago Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.

Mr. Pinsel has over 20 years of finance experience, including the last 10 years in the food service industry as Finance Director at ARAMARK. He has successfully led teams in the areas of budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analysis. He also provides significant experience in project management and contract negotiations. In addition, Mr. Pinsel worked at Rand McNally, Federal Express, and Midway Airlines. He received a B.S. degree from Indiana University and a MBA from Tulane University.

Russ Benson

Vice President, FFT Hospitality Group

John Rudy

Vice President of Catering

After graduating from Johnson & Wales University with degrees in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management, Mr. Benson worked in the restaurant and hotel industries, primarily at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. He then served as a senior member of the client-liaison leadership team at MBNA America Bank where he managed multiple onsite foodservice operations in Delaware, Maine, Ohio, Maryland and New Jersey. Russ currently oversees the FFT Hospitality Group Division. Additionally, he has served on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Society for Foodservice Management – serving as SFM President in 2006.

A graduate of Michigan State University and the Culinary Institute of America Mr. Rudy is one of the “go to” people in the special events industry in Chicago with over 20 years of experience. John’s experience with Marriott provided him the tools to play a prominent role in growing Food For Thought into one of Chicago’s elite special event companies. Founding his own consulting company he helped guide some of the city’s foremost caterers and special event companies to new heights of success during turbulent times. John has now returned to Food For Thought where he serves as Vice President of Catering.