Our Experts

Meet our industry experts, a passionate and talented pool of seasoned professionals who have made the hospitality industry their home. NECG is pleased to introduce you to this dynamic team who will take your company from Dirt-to-Digital.

Aleksandr Troyb

Benjamin, Gold & Troyb, P.C.

Attorney (Fairfield County)

Attorney Aleksandr Troyb, assists individual and business clients with various issues related to the formation, operation, acquisition, and sale of restaurants, fast food establishments, night clubs, taverns, bars, and other commercial entities.  Additionally, he assists clients with residential and commercial real estate and financing, various issues related to land use and real estate development, civil litigation, zoning law, tax assessment appeals, construction law and matters involving condominiums and other common interest communities. Attorney Aleksandr Troyb has been recognized as “Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, and is recognized in the area of Real Estate by the New England Super Lawyers Magazine. He is a member of the Fairfield County Bar Association, where he previously servied as President, Director and member of the Executive Committee.  He also previously served as a Co-Chair of the Real Property Committee of the FCBA, and currently serves on a committee that is in the process of reviewing and revising the Fairfield County Bar Association Real Estate Sales Agreement.  Attorney Troyb lectures on various real estate matters.

Joshua Hecht

Caplan & Hecht, LLC

Attorney (New Haven County)

Joshua Hecht is a principal in the law firm of Caplan and Hecht, LLC, located in New Haven, Connecticut.  He received his B.S., cum laude, in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and his J.D. from Albany Law School.  Joshua studied hospitality management at the Hosta Hotel and Tourism School in Leysin, Switzerland and has worked for many years in the hospitality industry at such places as Walt Disney World, The Lodge at Vail, a Four Diamond Preferred Hotel & Resort in Vail, Colorado and numerous restaurants on the East Coast. Joshua is the author of “Snowboard Liability: Past, Present & Future”, which was published in the Marquette University Sports Law Review and currently serves on the executive board of the New Haven County Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Association.  Joshua is admitted to practice law in the States of Connecticut and New York and is a Practitioner in Residence in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism at the University of New Haven where he has taught courses in Legal Aspects of Hospitality and Tourism, Business Law, Bar and Beverage Management, Club Management and Hospitality Real Estate. The law firm of Caplan and Hecht, LLC has been in existence since 1935 and provides quality legal services throughout Connecticut in areas such as hotel and restaurant, business development, real estate (commercial and residential), real estate litigation, land use, zoning, personal injury and estate planning.Joshua practices law with his father, Geoffrey who has been practicing law for over 45 years and is admitted to practice law in the States of Connecticut and Florida.

Anne Bingaman

Balancing Act Financials

Bookkeeping

Balancing Act Financials was founded on the premise that there are too many small businesses which do not receive the quality bookkeeping services they need. We provide personalized accounting services to a broad range of clients across the Stamford area. Many of whom began by attempting to keep their own records through their bank accounts. Others unnecessarily continued to pay CPA rates for bookkeeping services. We are here to help. As your certified accountants, we ensure that all of your financial decisions are made carefully and with your best interests in mind. At Balancing Act Financials, we pride ourselves on being QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisors, Certified Bookkeepers, and active members of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

Carlos Bridge

Food Purveyor

Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing, and distributing food and non-food products to restaurants, healthcare, and educational facilities, lodging establishments, and other customers around the world. Fresh food and fresh ideas are at the heart of food and service. Sysco delivers exceptional produce, custom cuts of meat, high-quality seafood, and imported foods offering global flavors. Our network of specialty suppliers pairs well with our culinary and business expertise. Sysco’s unparalleled selection of innovative ingredients and cutting-edge products connects your business to the industry-leading distribution network - keeping you stocked with the freshest products, trends, and ideas. We Supply Meat & Poultry, Seafood, Dairy, Produce, Bakery & Desserts, Pantry Staples, Beverages, Ethnic & Specialty, and Foodservice Supplies. Sysco’s Cutting Edge Solutions platform offers our customers a variety of innovative products and solutions to help differentiate and grow their businesses in the constantly-evolving industry. Cutting Edge Solutions uses extensive research and deep industry knowledge to create distinctive and relevant concepts for consumers. From plant-based offerings to sustainably-raised proteins, Cutting Edge Solutions helps your operator add more natural ingredients free of artificial additives.

Brian Ringelheim

Globe Equipment Company

Food Service Equipment

Brian has literally spent a lifetime in the foodservice industry, and is the third generation to run his family’s restaurant equipment business, Globe Equipment. Started in 1938 by his grandfather, Globe Equipment provides customers with everything they need to prepare, cook and store food, and they serve clients not only in Connecticut, where they have a brick and mortar store and delivery services, but worldwide through their extensive website and customer service representatives. Globe Equipment has a team of professionally trained commercial kitchen designers and salesmen who can work with you from start to finish on all types of projects.Brian has worked in all areas of the company, from a warehouse hand as a teenager, to marketing and sales, to website development and team management. With prior consulting experience, Brian has seen all kinds of businesses and processes, and uses that knowledge every day to help other businesses succeed. After launching their ecommerce division, Brian saw another growth opportunity in government sales and established Globe Equipment as an approved vendor for the federal government. Globe Equipment has a beautiful new 10,000 sq. ft. showroom, which is open to the public, on Dewey Street in Bridgeport. When you visit them, Brian and his team can assist you with              Layout and design work             Equipment consultation             Delivery services Anything and everything else you need to outfit the front and back of the house

Benjamin J Palancia

Albert Palancia Insurance Agency

Insurance (Westchester County)

Benjamin J. Palancia joined the Albert Palancia Insurance Agency in 2001 after achieving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science & Spanish from the University at Albany. Ben specializes in insurance for contractors, restaurants and commercial buildings and is also an expert in professional liability insurance.Ben holds licenses in many states as a Property & Casualty Insurance Agent & Broker and is also licensed as a Life & Health Broker.As a long-standing and devoted member of the community, Ben remains active in many charities. He is a Past President of the Mount Kisco Rotary Club. In 2012, Ben received the honor of being named a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. Ben is a founding member of the Mount Kisco Rotary Foundation and currently serves on its board of directors. Ben serves on the executive board of the Board of Directors of the Boys’ & Girls Club of Northern Westchester and also serves on the board of directors of the Country Children's Center, based in Bedford Hills, NY.Additionally, Ben was named as one Westchester’s “Forty under Forty” Rising Stars in 2013 by the Business Council of Westchester. Ben resides in Somers, NY with his wife, Joanna and children, Benjamin Jr and Nicholas.Albert Palancia Agency provides the following types of insurance: Homeowners Insurance, Automobile Insurance, Motorcycle insurance, Boat Insurance, Umbrella Insurance, Valuable Items, Personal Article Floaters, Professional Liability Insurance, Business Insurance, Commercial Auto Insurance, Workers Compensation, Contractors Liability, Builders Risk and Restaurant Insurance.

Jack Suchy

THE JJS CONSULTING GROUP, LLC

Liquor License/Permit

The Foremost Expert Servicing Connecticut businesses and groups on all things regarding Liquor Permit Laws and RegulationsMeet Jack Suchy, owner of the JJS Consulting GroupServing Connecticut for more than 19 years as the state’s Director of Liquor Control and chief regulator of the Liquor Control Act and its regulations, John “Jack” Suchy speaks the language of the Connecticut liquor industry and has the subject matter to assist you in navigating the regulatory and liquor licensing process.  Today, it is time to share our expertise and insights on “best practices” of the hospitality industry, alcohol permitting processes for suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers, and legislative initiatives impacting Connecticut’s liquor industry. Whether we’re gathering information for a liquor permit, meeting with applicants and city officials, submitting applications, providing advice to wholesalers and retailers, or exploring legislative trends and initiatives, we strive to provide our best advice and guidance. Jack believes that what can be avoided should be avoided and what makes a creative business thrive is the passion that drives it.  Choosing to specialize in a field means that you are completely devoted to it, and that you will protect it as if it were your own.  “I do my best in finding ways to “yes” to clients’ ideas, and create solutions that allow them to move forward to achieve their goals within the confines of the Liquor Control Act and its regulations”. Contact Jack for a free initial consultation.

Jim Ferreira

Heartland Payment Systems

Payroll / HR Services

Jim Ferreira has been in the payroll/human capital management industry for over 25 years. Over the past couple years, Jim has been helping his restaurant clients with calculating & filing ERTC (Employee Retention Tax Credits).  The average client has been recieving over $87,000.00 if Federal Tax Credits.Jim brings his years of experience to Heartland Payment Solution . Having a strong knowledge of the restaurant industry, and maintaining over 150 restaurant clients throughout New York and Connecticut, Jim understands the intricacies of restaurant payroll such as WOTC, FICA Tip Credit, Tips to Minimum reporting, Shortfall reporting, Cash and Charge tip reporting, etc.Jim’s portfolio includes such high profile restaurant groups:Public House Investments LLC-20+ Restaurants, which  includes Butterfield 8 Restaurant & Lounge, Lola’s Stamford LLC, and Public House Restaurants.Kings Point Venture Group- over 65 Dunkin Donuts locations in Westchester County, Manhattan, PA, IN, NC and now Connecticut.SKAL Restaurant Group- Ginger Man- Greenwich, Cask Republic- Stamford & New HavenPalomino Restaurant Group -  Sonora, PacificoPio Pio Restaurant Group- Queens and surrounding BouroughsBeyond Restaurant Group- El Mitote, Ella NYC & La Covicha - ManhattanThe Russian Tea Room, Table 104, Sarge's Deli, Crab Shell, Upper Crust Bagel, Harvet,  The Bejamin, BJ Ryan's, Banc House, BJ Ryan's East, Post Social, Washington Prime, Lorca, I95 Bar & Grill, La Fenice, 16 Handles, Toasted, Thali Restaurants, Carlson's Landing, The Melting Pot, Sunset Grille, Valentino's, Lulu, Brennan's Shebeen, Pomodoro, Amore,  Little Pub Restaurants, El Paso Restaurant Group, Greenwich Cheese Co.,  Angelina's of Tuckahoe, Smokey Joe's BBQ, Villa Berulia, Mambo 64, A Dash of Salt, Tomatillo’s, Subways, Wendy’s, Golden Coral, Taco Bell and the KFC chains and franchises.

Linda Kavanagh

MaxEx Public Relations, LLC

PR / Marketing / Social Media

Having worked her way through the exciting hospitality world, including stints as a chef, bartender, catering director, and every other life-affirming task that draws one into the hospitality industry forever, Linda left the kitchen side of the business and transitioned into being a supporter of the industry - trading her apron in for the almighty press release.

MaxEx has worked with over 300 Connecticut and New York restaurants to date and many spirit brands, lifestyle, and consumer products. Linda has led media tours throughout Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy, cooked across America touting Ghirardelli Chocolate’s baking line, and hosted Side Dish, the Allied Domecq / Pernod Ricard sponsored food and wine radio show on Connoisseur Media.

Linda is an accomplished food and travel writer, contributing to such regional and national publications as Venü Magazine, Total Food Service, and Food & Beverage International.Linda is the co-founder of the New England Culinary Group, which was formed in 2012.MaxEx Public Relations, LLC has the wonderful fortune to work with so many talented restaurateurs and industry professionals. 

PR means getting the right information to the right people. MaxEx is the connection between your business and, ultimately, the consumer.  A cohesive PR, Marketing, and Social  Media campaign will give you the edge you need to stay relevant in an evolving and fickle market.We are a seasoned firm that functions on personal attention and relationships - not a large company that pushes a button to a downloaded database of media contacts. We are old school in that way but operate in the "new school" PR world.​

Mark Moeller

The Recipe Of Success

Restaurant Consultant

Restaurant consulting firm The Recipe of Success® is nationally recognized and holds the “secret ingredient” to creating some of the best restaurants, fast-casual dining venues, cafes, bars, bakeries and multifaceted catering and events businesses. Embracing a hands-on consultancy philosophy and an entrepreneurial spirit, The Recipe of Success provides profitable and executable solutions to private equity, owners and operators of restaurant companies.The boutique firm specializes in both launching new restaurant startups along with turnarounds for struggling or financially distressed operations by bringing fresh ideas to the table, including concept development, food and beverage strategies, menu development, real estate brokerage, restaurant design and construction, operational procedures, marketing and staff training to drive guest frequency and maximize revenue. Since 2000, The Recipe of Success has a legacy of success “menu” of over 150 major clients. Global in reach, holistic in approach, but locally relevant, we work alongside some of the most “seasoned” executives at some of the most successful food and beverage companies to visualize, plan, and implement innovative ideas to turnaround restaurants, bars and hospitality venues. As a restaurant consulting firm, we work with new and emerging brands as well as those who are well established.

Katherine Lentner

Lentner Technology Integrators

Security (Technology)

PHYSICAL SECURITY & PRO-ACTIVE MONITORING.

Katherine Lentner is the Director of Business Development for Lentner Technology Integrators, servicing Fairfield & Westchester Counties, and with additional clients and offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, and Fort Meyers. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Katherine has a long background in the restaurant and live music industry with management and ownership in 7 different entities affiliated with Eat Well, Drink Better Entertainment Inc.  Having been on the operations end of all aspects associated in the business, she learned the hard way what it was like to receive a punitive fine in a health inspection, to not know when employees might be arriving or leaving work, to have inefficient or redundant processes or worst case, if the restaurant were to be compromised due to theft or burglary. How do you possibly have eyes on all aspects of your intellectual property you need to protect?  How do you get an alert that tells you your refrigerator isn’t chilled enough or perhaps your food temps are failing you before they are even broken or the food has expired?  How do you retain data reporting (that is not manually gathered by staff) for long periods of time should you have litigious claims even months after an incident?  How do you manage your number one priority of customer service and still have visibility into the back of house operations?Katherine has dealt with it all.  With Lentner Technology, we are here to show you that owning a restaurant or managing it doesn’t require 24/7 boots on the ground in order to have insight on your business, and better yet doesn’t require the cost of having someone manage it for you.  We are here to give you a break, manage your physical space and give you the opportunity to fix a problem prior to a financial or legal loss.  Lentner has cloud managed security cameras, cloud managed sensor readings that can also pair with the cameras, cloud managed network solutions, and cloud managed communication platforms to help effectively deliver information to specific teams at any time.Mitigate Your Risk Pro-Actively Manage Multiple Physical Locations in One Unique Interface Architect the Data You Care to Be Informed On. Secure Your Network and Physical Boundaries Communicate with your management, employees and vendors efficiently.

Cameron Toth

Toth Event Staffing

Staffing

Toth Event Staffing provides wait staff, bartenders and kitchen assistants for foodservice companies, corporate cafeterias, caterers and private homes.   Easy to book and easy to work with.We hire experienced, sophisticated and charming staff that have an eye towards creating long lasting experiences and relationships.Cameron Toth prides himself on being a knowledgeable professional who has worked in the hospitality industry since 1998 starting as a bartender and quickly rising to a Food Service Director for the Cadbury Schwepps Corporate Headquarters in Port Chester, NY in 2005.  Seeking to create NYC level of quality staffing company in Westchester - Toth Event Staffing was established in 2011.  Toth Event Staffing serves Westchester, Fairfield & NYC - in 2023 we are expanding into Dutchess County with a satellite office in Poughkeepsie.Cameron Toth utilizes his relationship with Compass Group NA as well as local caterers like Standing Room Only and NY Hospitality Group to grow and prepare amazing staff for work with a great variety of clients.For clients and colleagues, Cameron is happy to provide event advice and can often steer people to easy and fun solutions.  Cameron Toth and Toth Event Staffing clients consist of numerous large food service corporations that operate multiple accounts, many caterers, and a thousand private homes.

Carl Griffasi

Griffasi & Co. LLC

Website Design/Development

Carl Griffasi  of Griffasi & Co LLC brings 20 years plus experience in the LUXURY creative Brand space.  He is a highly creative, innovative designer with extensive knowledge of all Branding platforms, from Print, video, and the Internet.   He has a strong background in formulating ideas from concept through production which enables him to expedite any process and foresee any potential obstacles long before they would happen.  His concepts and executions have been described as “Bold, Clean, Sophisticated & Fresh.”He could take your existing brand and simply give it a facelift or create a new brand from the ground up. Creating a new brand identity logo and applying it to all of your marketing needs, from Magazine ads, Newspaper Ads, Billboards, Public Transportation, Package Design, Shopping Bag Design, Posters, Counter Cards, Counter Display, Banners, Postcards, Stationary Design, Tradeshow images & or booth design,Web site design, Splash page design, E-mail blast, E-mail Banners, Exterior sign, Interior signs, Window graphics, Wall graphics, Table menus, Wall menus, Fold out menus, Badges, Aprons, T-shirts, Coasters.As well as create any new imagery for your brand from producing all photo shoots and video shoots, and art directs them to ensure a quality product.His experience has taken him through many areas including Boutique Hotels, aRestaurants, Financial services as well as Fashion and Beauty industries.Some of Carl's experience has been with the Delmar hotel, the hotel Chesterfield, BICE restaurant/NYC, ESquared hospitality/NYC, Wegmans, the Clydesdale pub and Grill, Saks Fifth Avenue, AVON Global, Maybelline and Lord & Taylor to name a few.His grandfather was a hat maker in Italy, his dad was an interior decorator & his mother was a dress designer. That would explain his creative side.

Anna Lisa Stockwell

Opici Family Distributing

Wine & Spirits Consultant

Anna Lisa Stockwell, formerly an art buyer in the advertising field, turned her passion for wine and food into her career. Now as an on-premise wine and spirits consultant for Opici Family Distributing in Connecticut, Anna Lisa works with clients to create unique wine and spirits selections for their patrons.Working with an ever-growing portfolio of fine wines and boutique spirits from around the world, Anna Lisa guides her accounts through researching, tasting, evaluating and selecting the best options for their beverage programs. Whether creating a wine list from scratch for a new restaurant concept, reinventing an older beverage program to better reflect the times, or refreshing selections to match a seasonal menu, Anna Lisa has options for every financial plan and concept and the challenges that come with them.Anna Lisa also keeps her finger on the pulse of consumerism by hosting wine dinners and happy hour events, by participating in charity tastings, and as the organizer of the Fairfield County Wine Meetup.Anna Lisa’s personal favorites are sparkling wine and gin-based cocktails.

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