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FOOD & BEVERAGE
Michael Meoli
The Meoli Companies
Not only is he the owner and operator of more than two dozen McDonald’s franchises in Delaware and Maryland, but Meoli Companies President Michael Meoli is also a co-owner of the Tru by Hilton in Ocean City, Md., and SpringHill Suites by Marriott
in Frederica. The Rehoboth Beach resident is a second-generation McDonald’s owner/operator who
dove into the business full-time after college. Meoli is also heavily involved in his community, serving on a number of local and regional community and professional organization boards.
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Q&A:
Lee Mikles
OMG Hospitality
When it comes to the future of Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen, Lee Mikles is
all about building the brand and moving the business forward. Along with co-founder Jim O’Donoghue,
he operates multiple Grain brand restaurants in Delaware and Pennsylvania, the flagship of which was launched on Main Street in Newark
in 2015. The published author and co-owner of OMG Hospitality has also participated in various Delaware-based philanthropic efforts while his award- winning entrepreneurial endeavors have helped create over 100 regional jobs, including marketing firm The Archer Group, which was sold in 2020.
ALMA MATER: BOARDS:
Q&A:
Steve “Monty” Montgomery
The Starboard Restaurant and Bethany Blues
When it comes to working your way up in a business, The Starboard’s Steve “Monty” Montgomery knows exactly how it’s done. Over the decades, he has worked his way up in the local restaurant and business world, where he’s also helped host hugely impactful community events like the annual Dewey Goes Pink 5K, in support of
the fight against breast cancer, and the annual Running of the Bull that’s attracted Hollywood stars like Ryan Phillipe. From working the door
to running the show, Montgomery
has expanded from working at The Starboard to running several of the most-popular restaurants at the Delaware beaches.
ALMA MATER:
BOARDS:
Q&A:
Alisa Morkides
Brew Haha!
Alisa Morkides was working as a financial analyst when a vacation through the Tuscan countryside changed her life. She found herself sipping a quality cup of coffee in a beautiful space and wondering why she couldn’t do that at home. So in 1993, she set out to do that, opening the first Brew Haha! in Delaware. Now 30 years later, Morkides has built a local coffee empire and a devoted
fan base with nine locations around northern Delaware. She also parlayed that success by founding Brandywine Coffee Roasters, which sells direct to consumers.
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