MCON - Speakers

With more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant and technology industries, Dave has deftly steered Mirus through its formative years as well as into its current growth phase. Prior to joining Mirus in 2000, Dave delivered more than $500 million in large-scale information services contracts for IBM Global Services. In addition, he previously served as the vice president for information services for the now Dunkin’ Brands, where he managed the information strategies and policies of more than 5,000 Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts locations. Dave holds a B.S. in Business Administration and MBA from Northeastern University.

Karen Bird, Chief Information Officer – HOA Brands – Hooters and Hoots Wings Restaurants

Karen Bird, Chief Information Officer for Hooters of America is accountable for the strategy and execution of technology systems and services for multiple Brands and all functional areas within the company.  She has responsibilities for both corporate and franchised departments within the overall organization.  Karen joined the Hooters of America executive team in July 2017.

From late 2011 through July 2017, Karen served as the Vice President, Information Technology for Buffalo Wild Wings. In this role, Karen was responsible for establishing the technology architecture and framework that delivered all core business information to the Buffalo Wild Wings Enterprise.  She was instrumental in the development of the strategic plan that delivered a unified technology platform for over 1200 company-owned and franchised restaurants and the delivery of an enterprise service platform for the automation of data integrations.  

Prior to joining Buffalo Wild Wings, she served as the technology executive for several casual dine and quick service restaurant chains.  Her prior history includes CIO for Whataburger Restaurants, VP of Restaurant Information Solutions for Brinker International, Vice President of Business Systems for Advantica Restaurant Group, and Director of Retail Technology Solutions for Dunkin Brands.  Karen started her career as a restaurant-level employee at Burger King.  After two years in restaurant operations there, she moved into store accounting services and ultimately into various roles within the Information Systems department that helped build her technology expertise.

Karen received a B.S. in Business Management and graduated with Honors from the University of Phoenix, Boston in 2006.  She currently serves on the Board of the IFBTA, is the Board Secretary for a Twin Cities non-profit organization, Shoulak BreastFest, and is an Advisory Board Member for the Atlanta CIO Executive Summit.  She previously served on the North Memorial Foundation Board for North Memorial Hospital in Minnesota, the NCR Technology Advisory Board, and co-chaired the Franchisee Technology Subcommittee for Buffalo Wild Wings, North America. 

Christine Corley, Controller, Whataburger of Mesquite

Christine joined Whataburger of Mesquite in October 2013 as the Controller.  At the same time management had made the decision to implement data integration of the POS for their 17 locations using MIRUS. The 24 hour 7 days a week quick service franchise now operates 21 locations and employs over 800 people.  Christine oversees the accurate accounting of all financial aspects as well problem solve with the accounting and payroll departments.  She has over 35 years’ experience in accounting and taxation. She earned her B.S and M.S in Accounting from the University of North Texas.  In her free time, Christine can be found teaching kindergarten kids choir at her church, eating a good meal with her friends, and loving any time she can spend with her family.  She and her husband Bryan have been married for 33 years.  They have 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and 3 grandchildren. Christine has attended MCOM since 2014 and is a previous presenter.

Kadiata or as her friends call her, "Jet", is the liaison between understanding what her clients would like to accomplish in Mirus and partnering with her colleagues to get these goals accomplished. Prior to joining the Mirus team in 2017, she served as a manager for Pappasito's Tex- Mex Restaurants in Austin & Houston, Benji's Restaurant in Austin, and Los Cucos Mexican Cafe in Houston. Jet holds a B.A. in Political Science at the University of Texas at Austin.

Terri maintains client relations, projects, training, and testing for new features. Before joining Mirus in 2012, Terri was in operations with Starbucks Coffee Company, Harrah's Entertainment, and Starwood Hotels and Resorts. She began her career in hospitality as a busser at her parents seafood restaurant at the ripe age of 8. She holds a B.S in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston.

Delyth maintains client relations, projects, and training for Mirus. By working closely with development, she helps test applications and new features. She also organizes software builds, pitches new developmental ideas, and advocates clients’ requests for application improvements. Delyth graduated from Sam Houston State University and hold a BBA in Management Information Systems.

Daniel Legh-Page, VP of Technology & Guest Services at Sprinkles

Daniel is the current VP of Technology and Guest Services for Sprinkles.  With almost 20 years in hospitality leadership across various segments, he is a builder who helps multi-unit organizations design and create a digital tech stack for growth, scalability and innovation.  Daniel is a leader in web and digital ordering platforms, having architected Sprinkles digital transformation to running almost all transactions through web and self service channels.  In addition, he has now implemented Mirus in 4 different brands over his career with dozens of integration projects under his belt with the Mirus team!  Daniel holds a BS in Management Information Systems from Texas Lutheran University.

Dina leads the development team at Mirus. She has been with Mirus for over 15 years. Dina designs, codes, tests and mentors along with various other tasks to help keep the Mirus products competitive and current. In addition, she works closely with the Account Management team to ensure that clients' requests are being met. Dina earned her B.S in Management Information Systems at Nichols College.

Lauren Neale, Director of Finance, Planning and Analysis, Taco Mac

Taco Mac is a regional chain based in the Atlanta area operating 26 restaurants in the Atlanta metroplex and Chattanooga.  Lauren joined Taco Mac 8 years ago, shortly after Taco Mac became a Mirus client.  She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration with Honors in Finance and International Business from New Mexico State University.  Prior to moving to Atlanta, she worked for Brinker International in all roles of the payroll department and in accounts receivable for global franchise and for Texas Land and Cattle and LoneStar Steakhouses as a finance analyst.

Robert Nowlin, POS Systems Administrator, Bobby Cox Companies, Inc.

Robert is responsible for programming and management of POS systems for 76 restaurants, spread through 3 concepts in Texas, New Mexico, and California. Since becoming a Mirus client, Robert is also one of Cox Companies primary report writers. Prior to joining Bobby Cox Companies, Robert got his first taste of the restaurant industry working every position available for Bennigan’s in the 80’s and then spending time selling and installing POS systems for a dealer in the 90’s. His work in selling a system to Bobby Cox Companies led to him coming in house in 1996.

Alan is responsible for servicing the daily needs of Mirus clients. He leads the account management team and is responsible for getting new clients up to speed as well as coordinating ongoing client projects and priorities with the operations and development teams. Since joining Mirus in 2004, Alan has spearheaded the development of the company’s library of best practices. Prior to coming to Mirus, Alan served as a manager with Chili’s Bar and Grill. He earned his B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston.

Leslie provides details about Mirus and it's solutions to prospective "Data Nerds". She has technically been working with Mirus for over 10 years. Prior to joining the Mirus sales team in 2012, Leslie was a Business Performance Advisor at Insperity where Mirus was one of her clients. She holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Texas in Austin.

Emily Duncan Tobar is the Integrations Manager of Mirus. She manages the on boarding of new accounts with the Integration team during the initial implementation process, as well as the integration of new systems for existing Mirus clients. Prior to joining the Mirus team in 2011, she worked as General Manager and Director of Marketing & Sales for Howl at the Moon in Houston, Indianapolis and San Antonio. She holds a BA from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX.