Restaurateur to chair state board

Jamie Durrence, managing partner of Savannah-based Daniel Reed Hospitality, has been selected as the 2020 chair of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) Board of Directors, the organization announced this week.

A restaurateur for more than 20 years with a tenured work history in some of Savannah’s favorite venues, Durrence was raised on a working farm in Glennville and has been a resident of downtown Savannah since 1998. He has served on the GRA board since 2014. Daniel Reed Hospitality concepts include

Savannah restaurants Local11ten, The Public Kitchen & Bar, Soho South, Artillery and Agency Socialthèque in Atlanta at Phipps Plaza.

“After 20 years of service to the restaurant industry, I am still profoundly in love with all its uniqueness and challenges,” Durrence said.

“Working in hospitality has given me the opportunity for immense growth, personally and professionally, and I am thrilled that I can use my knowledge to help further the Georgia Restaurant Association’s mission in making Georgia a better place to do business for all of our restaurants and their employees.”

Durrence

As chairman, Durrence will act as the chief spokesperson for the industry and lead the GRA Board of Directors and staff in their efforts to protect operator needs and interests. Durrence will also partake in several GRA signature events throughout his term including Taste of Georgia, Barbecues & Brews, GRA Golf Tournament and the organization’s annual industry awards show, the GRACE Awards Gala.

“We are thrilled to have Jamie leading us in 2020. He brings a profound enthusiasm for hospitality and innovation that I strongly believe will take the GRA’s industry impact to new heights. With Jamie as chair, our new board members and current board roster, we will continue to carry out the mission of the Georgia Restaurant Association to protect and promote Georgia’s second-largest private sector employer,” said Karen Bremer, CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association.