Dale Schwartz
Founder/CEO
Mr. Schwartz has extensive experience in the formation, financing and expansion of various companies. In 2006, he founded Pinstripes, Inc. and is currently CEO of this unique bowling/bocce/bistro venture. In 2000, he was Co-Founder, Co-CEO of Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, Inc., a distinctive natural pharmacy retailer. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Schwartz was Chief Executive Officer of Infigen, Inc., a private biotechnology company developing its proprietary nuclear transfer/cloning and genomic technologies. From 1991 to 1996, he was Chief Financial Officer of Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company commercializing its Nobel prize-winning genetic engineering technology. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Schwartz was a Principal with Odyssey Partners, L.P., a private limited partnership engaged in leveraged buyouts, venture capital and recapitalizations. From 1983 to 1985, he was an Analyst in Morgan Stanley’s Mergers & Acquisitions department, and from 1979 to 1988 he was Founder and President of D & J Sealcoating, Inc., an asphalt sealcoating company. Mr. Schwartz has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University and a Masters in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.
Chris Soukup
Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Soukup has over 35 years of restaurant experience, including both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. He received extensive service training at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, and has managed many high-volume restaurant concepts throughout the United States. He started his management career with the Larimer Group, a collection of restaurants in Denver Colorado, and the majority of his career was spent on the West Coast with Hillstone Restaurant Group. Prior to Pinstripes, he was on the opening team for Cheesecake Factory’s concept: Grand Lux Café Chicago, one of the busiest restaurants in America. Mr. Soukup has been very instrumental in the development of Pinstripes and has been working to grow the brand from its inception in 2006. His passion and drive have helped shape some of the most successful restaurants in the industry.
Cesar Gutierrez
Chief Culinary Officer
Chef Gutierrez brings a strong background in Italian American comfort cuisine. He began his career with Maggiano’s, in the Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group working his way through the ranks and becoming Executive Chef. He then joined Cenitare Restaurant Group as Corporate Chef, opening and operating three concepts in the Westin Hotel in Wheeling: Osteria Di Tramonto, Tramonto Steak & Seafood and RT Lounge. He then became Executive Chef of Volare Ristorante Italiano at Oakbrook Terrace, and was also Executive Chef of Pete Miller’s Seafood-Prime Steak and Davis Street Fishmarket at Schaumburg and Wheeling. Prior to joining Pinstripes, he was Executive Chef for Francesca’s on Chestnut and DiSotto Enoteca Gold Coast.
Lida Ahn
Chief Training Officer
Ms. Ahn has been a passionate teacher and has enjoyed watching others grow throughout her entire career. She began her career in the hospitality industry with the J. Alexander’s company where she advanced to a leadership role as Lead Trainer. She then joined the Cenitare Restaurant Group in Wheeling, IL, a high-concept restaurant group, where she participated in the opening of Tramonto’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant and the RT Lounge. Ms. Ahn joined Pinstripes as an opening team member and has had a lead role in creating and training staff in all front-of-house systems. Ms. Ahn has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College and studied at Trinity International University for her Masters of Arts.
Anthony Colucci
VP of Marketing
Anthony is a marketing professional that is guest obsessed. With in-depth experience in brand development and positioning, 360 integrated marketing campaigns, creative content development, marketing technologies, media relations and more. He works to ideate marketing campaigns and strategies that optimize every step of the guests digital journey, strengthen brand identity and contribute to the overall financial health of the business.
Prior to joining Pinstripes, Anthony spent six years with Chicago based restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You, where he led the marketing for 12 brands in their restaurant portfolio. Preceding Lettuce Entertain You he spent time in advertising with both Groupon and Yelp.
Anthony has spent nearly 20 years in the restaurant industry, with over a decade in front of house operations before moving into a marketing role. He has found his professional niche in marrying his passions for both restaurants and hospitality with marketing.
Dave Dinella
VP of Finance, Corporate Controller
Mr. Dinella has over fifteen years of corporate accounting experience, with a focus on technical accounting and SEC reporting at publicly traded companies. As a seasoned finance leader, he also has extensive knowledgee on internal controls and implementing effective accounting processes. Most recently, Mr. Dinella was a Director of Finance at Sloan Valve Company and Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting at FreightCar America prior to that. Mr. Dinella, a CPA, has a Bachelor of Science degree from Rockford University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois..