CHICAGO, June 4, 2025 — The National Restaurant Association has added a veteran product-development executive and a seasoned association manager to its c-suite in what CEO Michelle Korsmo described as key moves to keeping the trade group relevant.
Karl Dahlgren was hired as Chief Product Officer to oversee the evolution of the association’s ServSafe food-safety training program and develop a full suite of products that similarly protect and promote the restaurant industry. He brings to the post 30 years of similar work for other associations, most recently as Executive Vice President for the National Safety Council, a nonprofit focused on promoting workplace and highway-construction safety.
Judy Mulcahy has joined the restaurant association as Chief Operating Officer, with responsibility for managing day-to-day operations and keeping the organization’s activities aligned with its long-term strategic goals. She brings to the job 25 years of experience in association management, government contracting, and corporate engineering. She was most recently COO for the Alliance for Automotive Engineering.
“Karl’s and Judy’s leadership will complement the important work underway across the organization to position the Association for continued relevancy,” Korsmo said in announcing the hires. “Karl’s and Judy’s expertise will support these efforts to move us forward into the next era with clarity, focus, and greater operational strength.”
The National Restaurant Association is the major trade group and leading political advocate for the restaurant segment of the food-away-from-home business. It has been a partner of IFMA The Food Away from Home Association on such endeavors as the Legends awards program.
As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.