CINCINNATI (April 3, 2024) – Coming off a record-breaking year in revenue, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment (JRCE) has no plans to slow down. The nationally recognized fine-dining group announced today key promotions and hires. Within the executive team, Neal Collinsworth is promoted to Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Meghann Craig joins as VP of Marketing. Within the corporate team, Nate Leopold is promoted to Director of Operations and Travis Maier joins as Catering Director. Within the General Management Team, as longtime GM, Charlie Bledsoe begins to sunset his 34-year career, Korrie Campbell joins as GM in Training at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Cincinnati. Additionally, Ashley Stevens is promoted to the GM position at Carlo & Johnny by Jeff Ruby.
Additionally, joining the company’s Board of Advisors is Scott Beck and Mike Haunert. Scott is a Senior Teaching Professor of Marketing and Customer Analytics at Xavier University. He brings decades of experience in data and analytics having worked at the Kellogg Company, dunnhumby, and 84.51. Scott is focused on helping the organization consolidate its data resources and apply key insights to inform future company growth strategies based on guest behavior. Mike is the former president of Sysco Cincinnati and is a valued consultant in the food and beverage industry and supply chain management. He also serves as an executive board member of the Ohio Restaurant Association. They’re accompanied by an esteemed panel of advisors including:
- Darcy Bien, Business Planning Strategist and author of Strategy in Motion
- David Cassady, Founder of one of Cincinnati’s largest accounting firms, Cassady Schiller
- Mike Schlotman, Retired CFO at Kroger
- Ford Taylor, Founder of FSH Strategy Consultants and Transformational Leadership and author of Relactional Leadership
“The promotions of Neal and Nate honor decades of hard work and dedication that have helped take our business to new heights,” said Britney Ruby Miller, President and CEO at Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment. “Additionally, we are thrilled about our strategic new hires such as Meghann, Korrie and Travis, and appreciate their outside perspective and diverse experience that will help grow the footprint of our business in new ways. We’re also proud to promote from within the organization and support Ashley’s ambitious career path at Carlo & Johnny. While we are excited for the future, we can’t help but reflect on the past and couldn’t be more grateful for people like Charlie Bledsoe. As he gears up for retirement, he’ll always hold a special place in our hearts and we are lucky to have him help coach and mentor the next wave of General Managers,” Miller said.
Bios
Neal Collinsworth, COO
Neal has dedicated 30 years to JRCE. He started as a Server Assistant at Jeff Ruby’s Waterfront in the early 1990s and has worked every single front-of-house position across the restaurants. In 2002, he was promoted to General Manager of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Cincinnati where he notably increased revenue by over 333%. In 2017, he was promoted to the Director of Operations and later VP of Operations in 2020 where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of all seven restaurants including managing guest counts, sales, and occupancy rates while leading all the GMs. As COO, Neal will continue to be a part of the day-to-day operations but will be more focused on the strategic growth and success of the company. At the core, Neal enjoys delivering the JRCE experience to guests and is thankful for his parents teaching him grit, determination and never to give up.
“I have had the best mentors a young manager could ever ask for,” Collinsworth said. “The Ruby family has allowed me to make mistakes and learn from them. Mr. Jeff Ruby himself was my direct manager for 14 of the 15 years I managed Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Cincinnati. He and Charlie Bledsoe have taught me everything I know from a restaurant management perspective while JRCE Advisor, Ford Taylor, and Britney Ruby Miller truly have taught me what it means to be a leader of people.”
Neal is happily married to Brandy Kumpf and is a proud father to stepson Dakota Kumpf, 25; son Luke Collinsworth, 21; and daughter Karlissa Collinsworth, 16.
Meghann Craig, VP, Marketing
Meghann brings 17 years of marketing, communications, and brand-building experience to JRCE. A foodie at heart, she leads a cross-functional team to deliver marketing & communication strategies. In her short time at the company, Meghann spearheaded the development of a video series about Jeff Ruby’s sponsored jockeys and their race to the Triple Crown. She also secured new sponsorship deals with KY Downs Racing, LPGA’s Kroger Queen City Championship, FC Cincinnati, and MLS Cup Winner, Columbus Crew. Under her leadership, the marketing team also supported the opening of The Lempicka and the re-opening of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Louisville. As 2023 ended, Meghann and her team successfully launched Jeff Ruby’s annual holiday gift card program increasing sales by more than 6% compared to 2022. Meghann built her career in the PR and Advertising Agency scene. Before joining JRCE, Meghann was SVP, Head of Brand at Empower and served on the agency’s leadership team. Under her leadership, her team was a 2X winner of Campaign US’ Communications & Marketing Team of the Year. She’s married to John Craig and has two beautiful children, Isla Rose, 9, and Shepherd Emerson, 6.
Nate Leopold, Director of Operations
Nate has been an integral part of the JRCE family for over 20 years, showcasing unwavering loyalty and contributing significantly to the company’s growth. He started as a Server Assistant in 2002 at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Cincinnati. Since then, he’s held many positions including Assistant General Manager to Neal Collinsworth and Head Server. Nate joined the JRCE HR Department in 2019 as a Training Manager where he was largely responsible for developing team members to be the best they can be at delivering the JRCE guest experience. He’s helped train new staff for several new openings including The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby and Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Lexington and re-openings in Louisville and Cincinnati. He was later promoted to Director of Learning & Development in 2021. As Director of Operations, General Managers will report to Nate, and he will be Neal’s right hand – playing a key role in supporting the company’s operational excellence. Nate resides in Newport, KY and is a proud husband to his wife, Becky, and a loving father to his daughter, Ava.
Travis Maier, Catering Director
Known for launching JRCE Meal Kits during the COVID-19 pandemic, Travis Maier rejoins JRCE as Catering Director. Over the years we have witnessed substantial demand for the Jeff Ruby experience outside of the restaurant environment. With the launch of The Lempicka event venue, the culinary team has provided off-premise catering by request. Travis will help formalize and bring this offsite premise catering dream to life. From luxurious private chef services to premium events and galas, Jeff Ruby’s will specialize in delivering impeccable hospitality experiences for gatherings with 10 to 10,000 guests. He has a proven track record in developing successful business plans and executing excellent culinary experiences for guests (both on and off-premise). JRCE’s catering vision extends beyond the Cincinnati market, and the company aspires to make off-site catering an integral part of the JRCE experience across all restaurant markets down the road. Travis is lovingly married to Elizabeth Maier. They reside in Anderson Township where they parent four busy kids: Caroline,15; Kate,11; Aria, 11; and Drew, 9.
Charlie Bledsoe, General Manager, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Cincinnati
Charlie Bledsoe lives and breathes the culture of JRCE. He started as a server at Jeff Ruby’s Waterfront in February of 1989 and worked his way up to Assistant General Manager before becoming General Manager of the restaurant. Later, he moved to Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa as the General Manager for five years before making his way to Carlo & Johnny by Jeff Ruby. After five years of serving as the GM, Charlie moved to Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Cincinnati in the Spring of 2023. In June of 2024, Charlie will step down as General Manager and serve as a coach and mentor. Having already shaped so many careers within the company, Charlie will dedicate his time traveling across various Jeff Ruby restaurants 3-4 days a week helping team members and emerging leaders to be the best version of themselves. He looks forward to sharing his restaurant management knowledge and hospitality experience from the last 34 years and most importantly, reinforcing how to keep the guest experience top of mind.
Korrie Campbell, General Manager in Training, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Cincinnati
Korrie joins JRCE with an extensive background in hospitality. Most recently she worked for Boca Restaurant Group as the General Manager at Sotto in Cincinnati. Before that, she worked at the beautiful Lytle Park Hotel where she managed daily operations of the Subito Restaurant and worked with the leadership team of the hotel to ensure total guest satisfaction. With her magnetic personality, strong leadership skills, and remarkable connections with both guests and staff, Korrie is a tremendous asset to the JRCE family. Over the next few months, Korrie will be immersing herself in the JRCE experience, spending time across various establishments to glean insights from its incredible leaders. As Charlie Bledsoe retires, she will take on the GM role at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Cincinnati.
Ashley Stevens, General Manager, Carlo & Johnny by Jeff Ruby
Ashley has been an invaluable team member for the past six years, showcasing dedication, commitment, and exceptional leadership skills. She began her journey with JRCE as a daytime receptionist, and through hard work and determination, steadily progressed through various roles within the company. Most recently she worked as the Assistant General Manager at The Precinct by Jeff Ruby. Under General Manager Jordan Taylor’s guidance, Ashley consistently demonstrated the ability to handle challenges with poise and professionalism. In her new role as General Manager of Carlo & Johnny, Ashley’s contributions will continue to significantly impact restaurant operations.
About Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment
Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment (JRCE), founded by Jeff Ruby in 1981 with the opening of The Precinct in Cincinnati, has grown into one of the longest-running fine dining steakhouses in America with seven nationally recognized fine dining restaurants in Cincinnati, Columbus, Lexington, Louisville and Nashville. In June 2023, the company opened its first event venue in Cincinnati called The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby. JRCE is led by an executive team and Jeff Ruby’s three children, Britney Ruby Miller, Brandon and Dillon Ruby. Additionally, the family founded the Jeff Ruby Foundation to improve the lives of at-risk youth in all their restaurant communities. For more information visit JeffRuby.com.