LOUISVILLE, KY (December 3, 2013) – The Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) will host a “$#*! I Wish I Knew” series and CFO Series on December 10 & 12 at the Bristol Bar & Grille in Downtown Louisville.  These events are part of a series in which YPAL’s members learn lessons from the area’s leading business executives.

“$#*! I Wish I Knew” series featuring Matt Thornton of Thorntons Inc.

Guests will have the opportunity to learn about a company that operates more than 160 gasoline/convenience stores including one travel plaza and eight car washes and a customer oriented strategy.  They will also get a glimpse into the important leadership values as they relate to young professionals who are in entry level positions or above.

The event will be held Tuesday, December 10 from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM and is $10 for YPAL members; $15 for non-members. Event registration includes one drink ticket! For more information or to register, visit https://www.ypal.org/Events/I-Wish-I-Knew-….-Matt-Thornton

PNC Bank and Northwestern Mutual are the event sponsors

 

CFO Series featuring Scott Colosi of Texas Roadhouse

Scott Colosi is the speaker in YPAL’s final CFO series of 2013. Colosi has worked at Texas Roadhouse and Yum! Brands. As the President of Texas Roadhouse for the last two years and the CFO for almost nine years prior, Colosi will bring a unique viewpoint to this discussion using his rare experience of oversight for both organizational growth and financial management.

The event is held Thursday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM and is free to YPAL members; $10 for non-members. For more information or to register, visit https://www.ypal.org/Events/CFO-Series-Concludes-with-a-Bang-Mr.-Scott-Colosi

Mountjoy Chilton Medley and Stoll Keenon Ogden, PLLC are the event sponsors.

 

About The Speakers:

Matt Thornton has served as President and CEO of Thorntons Inc. since August of 2001. In this position, Matt is responsible for leading Kentucky’s largest privately-held corporation with interests in retail gasoline and convenience stores, petroleum terminals and bulk plants, transportation and commissary operations. The company is a member of Forbes Magazine’s list of largest privately-held companies in America.

Under Matt’s leadership, the company embarked on a customer oriented strategy internally referred to as Plan-to-Win. The PTW strategy focuses on three key areas; People, Priorities and Food and as well as real estate site selection that ensures that Thorntons will always operate the freshest assets on the best corners. The implementation of this strategy over the last 5 years has resulted in Thorntons consistently ranking in the top 5% of every relevant industry metric.

Matt has also focused the organization on maintaining financial flexibility through conservative balance sheet management. As a result, the company consistently builds 6-10 new stores annually.

Prior to this appointment in 2001, Matt served as Vice President of Operations. In that role he was responsible for the growth and development of the operations team, daily store operations, and the creation of operational efficiencies through systems, processes, and technology.

Matt graduated from the University of Alabama in 1993 with a B.S. in Management. He currently serves as Chairman of the Waterfront Development Corporation and on the Boards of PNC Bank of Kentucky and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).

 

Scott Colosi was appointed President of the Company on August 2011. His leadership and vision has grown Texas Roadhouse’s revenues from $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion. In additions, its profitability has increased more than 11% in a very competitive market.

Previously, Colosi served as our Chief Financial Officer since September 2002. From 1992 until September 2002, he was employed by YUM! Brands, Inc. in which he served in various financial positions and, immediately prior to joining Texas Roadhouse, he was Director of Investor Relations. Colosi has more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry.

Anyone who has worked at Texas Roadhouse can mention the culture of philanthropy throughout the organization. This was recently front and center when Texas Roadhouse was awarded the 2013 Innovative Partnership Award from Business First. Selected from a pool of large companies, they were awarded for their unique community outreach programs.