Steve Johnson, most recently executive vice president of business development at HMSHost Corp., has been named president and CEO. He replaces Tom Fricke, who is leaving the company.
Johnson has been with the company for 14 years. During that time he has overseen business development, design and construction and restaurant development teams. He has helped lead the winning or extending of several contracts at both airports and motorways and been responsible for enhancing HMSHost’s restaurant portfolio, including the addition of several new proprietary concepts.
“Steve has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and the necessary ability to lead HMSHost into the future,” says Gianmario Tondato Da Ruos, CEO of HMSHost’s parent company, Autogrill. “His expertise in client relations and delivering bottom line results are the right combination to secure HMSHost’s leadership position.”
Fricke joined the company in 2012, when he replaced Elie Maalouf.
“After reviewing the progress we’ve made, I am very pleased to be able to hand the reins over to Steve and my colleagues at HMSHost,” says Fricke, who will continue serving HMSHost in an advisory role. “I am extremely confident that Steve is the right person to successfully lead the team in tackling the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”
