Dave Goebel

Dave is a 35 year veteran and respected leader in the retail, food-service and hospitality segments. His most recent corporate venture was a seven year run at Applebee’s International that culminated in his role as CEO of this $4.5 billion, 2000 restaurant chain. He progressed in the organization from executive vice president to COO to President to CEO. As CEO at Applebee’s, he lead the organization with the board of directors through public company activist shareholder negotiations, a strategic process to evaluate short and long-term shareholder value assessment and the eventual merger and acquisition transition. He has successfully grown and led businesses in both the private and public sectors. His particular strengths are attracting, recruiting and developing talent as well as orchestrating successful growth strategies in face-paced organizations. Prior to Applebee’s, Dave was President of Summit Management, Inc., a start- up company providing strategic planning and executive development to growth organizations. His most recent entrepreneurial venture was with Finest Foodservice, LLC, an area developer/franchisee of Boston Market restaurants in a seven state area in the Midwest and upper Midwest. Dave’s undergraduate work in psychology and sociology at the University of Notre Dame and his post graduate studies at The Ohio State University in personnel administration are the foundation for his propensity to help leaders grow beyond their own expectations. Dave has been married to Jan for 34 years and they have raised six children. He coached baseball for 19 years. He teaches at Children's Mercy Hospital and works with a number of parolees from Lansing Correctional Facility to help them return to society successfully. He has chaired a board for the archdiocese of Kansas City Schools for over 12 years.