FEDA Learn Institute: 2023 Conference Opening General Session

Emily Williams Knight is the president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), which represents more than 53,000 restaurants generating a combined $87 billion in sales and employing 1.3 million people in the Lone Star State. Since moving into the position in 2019, Knight’s efforts on behalf of the industry have earned her a reputation as a fierce and effective leader, and she has furthered the TRA’s mission of safeguarding and advancing the interests of members while closely monitoring a broad range of legislative issues.

Knight’s career has long been intertwined with the foodservice industry. As the holder of a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and former president of Kendall College, Knight, has worked to expand hospitality and culinary education and her accomplishments include leading student recruitment for two of the world’s top five hospitality schools. Her zeal for education remains the foundation of many of her initiatives. The daughter of military veterans and a former military spouse, Knight is an advocate for the importance of career and technical education, particularly for veterans. She has worked with private equity firms, associations and the U.S. government to build veteran and at-risk training and certification programs.

She has brought the same levels of passion to her other roles. Knight has held executive leadership positions across the globe in several multinational companies, in which she found success by building high-performing teams, a passion for winning and a tireless work ethic – skills that now serve Texas restaurants. Leveraging her empathy for others, Knight has driven change at the state and national level, culminating in 2021 with the most sweeping success the TRA had ever achieved when the association helped drive the passage of six bills supporting restaurants in the Texas legislature.

Kevin Hochman serves as CEO and president of Brinker International, one of the world’s leading casual dining companies and home of Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy. He is also president of Chili’s and a member of Brinker’s Board of Directors. As CEO, he leads more than 60,000 team members who strive to make millions of guests feel special every week. Hochman is responsible for driving Brinker’s growth strategy, ensuring the company’s core values and culture are embedded in every restaurant and the Restaurant Support Center and overseeing restaurant operations worldwide.

Steve Don is president and CEO of Edward Don & Company, the country's third-largest dealer of foodservice equipment and supplies by annual sales, according to FE&S Magazine's annual Distribution Giants list. Founded in 1921, Edward Don & Company is a family-owned business serving independent restaurants, national chains, healthcare, hospitality, country clubs, schools, and government institutions.