President – Tony Salerno
Born and raised just outside of Washington, DC, Tony began his restaurant career as a dishwasher with TGI Fridays in 1993 and worked his way through the hourly and management positions until he reached General Manager over his 10 years with the company. Tony then relocated to Wilmington, NC with Red Robin Gourmet Burgers opening the brand’s first site in North Carolina. Salerno then helped the brand expansion across the state as the Regional Operations Director. In 2012, he joined Bar Louie Restaurant, LLC as Director of Operations, managing bars in MO, MI, VA, NC, SC, and FL. 4 years later, Tony was hired on to LMR, LLC based in Raleigh, NC as the Director of Beverage and shortly thereafter, the Brand Leader for Carolina Ale House. He then joined Mac’s Hospitality Group in 2021; a multi-brand restaurant company encompassing Mac’s Speed Shop, SouthBound, BackStage Lounge, The Music Yard, and The Studio. Tony Salerno began his journey with Mac’s as VP of Operations, and is now President of Mac’s Hospitality Group as of 2022.
Vice President of Finance – Kenny Crenshaw
A Virginia Tech Alumni, grew up in Richmond, VA. Kenny began his career with Big 4 Consulting Firm Deloitte, followed by a stint with banking giant Wachovia, now Wells Fargo, where he worked in corporate finance for M&A deals. He next spent a year working for a Charlotte-based payroll processing company, HR America, which he was instrumental in a sale of the business to strategic buyer Gevity. Crenshaw then worked for multiple years for a healthcare technology firm, Secure EDI, where he assisted in acquiring 2 business’ and a $40MM investment from London-based private equity firm Abingworth. Crenshaw has been the VP of Finance for Mac’s Hospitality Group, a multi-brand restaurant company based in Charlotte, NC encompassing the brands of Mac’s Speed Shop, Southbound, Backstage Lounge and The Music Yard since 2015. In this time, has overseen an addition of 5 new restaurants, navigated the company through the financial landmine COVID presented the industry, and has overseen multiple platform upgrades to ensure Mac’s is on the cutting edge of restaurant-based technology.
Director of Operations – Culinary – Charles Long
Born in Fort Myers, Charles was raised between the Florida beaches and the North Carolina Mountains. Charles began his career at a smokehouse in Banner Elk, NC, where he discovered his passion for cooking and BBQ. He moved to Charlotte in 2008 to Study at Johnson and Wales University. He began working in the film industry, catering on the sets of various movies and TV shows such as Lawless and Homeland. During his time in the film industry, Charles traveled the Southeast, sharpening his skills in catering by providing diverse cuisine options to cast and crew members. Returning to Charlotte in 2016, Charles worked as the Executive Chef at several Charlotte area staples such as Red Rocks Café and The Liberty. Charles joined Mac’s Speed Shop in 2019 as a Kitchen Manager. After honing his skills in the kitchen of Mac’s, Charles was promoted to Regional Kitchen Manager. In 2023, he was promoted to Culinary Director of Mac’s Hospitality Group, overseeing the culinary programs for all MHG brands. Charles is now the Director of Operations – Culinary for Mac’s Hospitality Group as of 2024.
Director of Training – Shawna Infantino
BORN AND RAISED IN ROCHESTER, NY, SHAWNA STARTED WORKING IN RESTAURANTS AT THE AGE OF 16 DOING ANYTHING FROM FRYING CHIPS TO WASHING DISHES. SHE EVENTUALLY RAN A SMALL MOM AND POP FOR FIVE YEARS. IN 2011 SHE RELOCATED TO CHARLOTTE, NC AND IN 2012 STARTED AT MAC’S HOSPITALITY GROUP AS A SERVER. WITHIN TWO MONTHS SHE MOVED TO AN ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER POSITION AND NINE MONTHS AFTER THAT SHE WAS PROMOTED TO GENERAL MANAGER. AFTER 6 YEARS OF RUNNING MULTIPLE LOCATIONS AND MULTIPLE CONCEPTS, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL SOUTHBOUND, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO DISTRICT GENERAL MANAGER IN 2019 RIGHT BEFORE COVID HIT. SHE THEN WORKED HER WAY INTO THE POSITION OF REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS WHERE SHE WAS OVERSEEING 6 MHG LOCATIONS. AFTER RUNNING MULIPLE LOCATIONS SHE IS NOW THE DIRECTOR OF TRAINING FOR ALL MHG BRANDS.
Director of Training – Shawna Infantino
Born and raised in Charlotte, Jeff ahas been in the hospitality industry since he was 16 years old as a Barista for Dean & Deluca. From dishwasher to Server to GM, he has had the chance to work with some great companies and incredible people. jeff always believed that out of relationships, everything flows. Our culture, and there for our people, are the most important asset to him. If we create an environment grounded in love, dignity and respect, our Team and our Guests will get an experience unlike anywhere else. Serving as the Director of Operations- Hospitality, the environment we mold and the dining experience we create are front of mind every day. And it starts with our people.