Ron DiNella

Ronald DiNella currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza chain of restaurants based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Prior to joining Anthony's, Mr. DiNella founded DiNella Hospitality, LLC, a venture capital firm focused on developing and investing in growing restaurant chains. Between 2013 and 2015 he led the acquisition of a six unit fast casual restaurant chain, developed a full service restaurant and co-founded a quick service late-night restaurant in Chicago. DiNella Hospitality also invested in the third outlet of a popular restaurant chain.

For the majority of his career he helped grow the Morton's steakhouse chain ultimately escalating to the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Morton’s Restaurant Group, a NYSE listed international chain of 77 upscale steakhouses. As CFO he was responsible for all financial, compliance, tax and technological aspects for the Morton’s restaurants.

During his tenure at Morton's DiNella participated in two IPOs, a take private transaction and earlier this year, the ultimate sale of the company.

Mr. DiNella's leadership was apparent during the depths of the worst recession in the US in 80 years when Morton's sales fell off more than 25%. He spearheaded the company's cost cutting efforts, avoiding loan defaults and guiding the turnaround, ultimately negotiating a new $75 million term loan.

DiNella was a strong proponent of developing Morton's brand outside of the US and oversaw the Company's first international Joint Ventures in Mexico City and Shanghai, regularly negotiating with suitors from around the world.

Mr. DiNella has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Restaurant Association and remains on its board and has served on the Illinois CPA Society's Entertainment Committee.

Mr. DiNella is regularly invited to speak to hospitality leadership groups in the US and abroad on financial and technology matters. He and his wife, Cheryl, have been married for more than twenty-five years and have three children.