Judd Wishnow
Founder, Co-CEO

Judd Wishnow grew up loving fast food and dreamed of owning his own fast food restaurant (or playing for the Boston Red Sox). He recalls that his Uncle Harold’s best friend Gussie owned three Dunkin’ locations in Florida. To Judd, her life seemed like a fairy tale.  

Since the Sox never called, Judd attended Brown University, where he graduated both Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude.  After college, Judd began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs. After his time at Goldman, Judd transitioned to Institutional Marketing at Fred Alger Management (Alger).  In 2003, he was named Vice President at Alger and the Head of Institutional Marketing, overseeing client relationships worth $5 billion in assets managed. In 2005, he founded The Panel Media Group, an in-bar digital signage business in New York City.  

In 2009, Judd co-founded Southpaw with Erica and in 2010, they acquired their first Dunkin’ location. Since then, Judd and Erica have grown Southpaw by building and buying Dunkin’ and Taco Bell locations in markets all throughout the country, and have invested substantial time and resources into recruiting, training and retaining a best-in-class management team.  

When he’s not working with Southpaw, Judd loves performing karaoke (he claims to have over 8 octaves of range, but no one has ever seen him hit the high notes), writing screenplays with his brother, and playing most sports (Though he seems to get injured every time he steps on a field or a court. Therefore, he’s carefully considering a transition to video games). 

Movie that most inspired you: If our company name doesn’t already give it away, my favorite movie is “Rocky.”  It also happens to be the greatest movie written in the English language. 

Title of your autobiography: The Boy Who Pretended to be a Grownup

Favorite part of working at Southpaw: That’s easy: Spending time with the team. I could be having a tough week or feeling down, but if I get a few hours with the team, I always come out feeling like a new person, re-energized and thankful for where life has taken me. For my own safety, I should also mention that I love getting to spend every day working with my wife. Erica is my best friend and the love of my life. I like to call her my business partner, but everyone else seems to think she’s my boss.

Erica Spector Wishnow
Founder, Co-CEO

After graduating Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Erica began her career as an investment banking analyst in the Real Estate, Gaming & Lodging group at Deutsche Bank. In 2005, she moved on to Eastdil Secured, a wholly owned real estate banking subsidiary of Wells Fargo, to help oversee their multi-family real estate investment group. 

Erica founded Southpaw with Judd in 2009. While they initially had an idea of how to run and monetize a business, they learned rapidly as they acquired their first 11 locations and quickly filled the gaps in their business knowledge. 

She loves riding the waves of business, constantly learning new things, and taking on new challenges as Southpaw continues to grow and make a difference in the lives of its employees and customers. No day at Southpaw is ever the same, and Erica juggles communications with investors, her team, and collaboration with Judd with sensitivity and passion.

Erica’s energy and enthusiasm for growth and learning has lead Southpaw to generate stable and consistent returns by acquiring and operating hundreds of Dunkin’ and Taco Bell locations across the United States, employing thousands of people, and generating in over $150 million in annual sales after less than a decade and a half of business.

Erica believes Southpaw’s willingness to invest, rather than short-term cost-cutting measures, has driven and will continue to drive long-term success in the company. By investing in both people and physical locations as Co-CEO,  Erica has guided Southpaw to yield market-beating returns and Positive Same Store Sales Growth every year since the company’s inception. 

When she’s not growing Southpaw, Erica loves to exercise, travel, spend time with friends and family, and watch movies with Judd.

Favorite thing about working at Southpaw: ​I feel honored to work with such an incredible group of people and I feel lucky that I love what I do. I have a creative niche in this business that brings me a lot of happiness.

Favorite thing to order from Dunkin’: ​Large iced coffee with oat milk.

Title of your autobiography: Ride the Wave

Steve Sanchioni
Chief Financial Officer

Steve has over 30 years of financial leadership experience in managing large, complex organizations. He joined the Southpaw team in January 2018. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer of FL Roberts, a $250 million retailer of convenience stores, car washes and quick lubes, with a $40 million wholesale and fuel distribution business, and Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for Friendly Ice Cream Corporation, a large restaurant chain in the Northeast, which also operated manufacturing, distribution and retail grocery store operating divisions. Steve has extensive experience managing all areas of finance and human resources, including accounting, information technology, planning & analysis, treasury, compensation & benefits, treasury and information technology.

Jeff Stewart
EVP, Dunkin’ East

Jeff came to Southpaw in 2011 with over 25 years of fast food and franchise experience. Throughout his career, Jeff has successfully increased sales and managed down costs through the implementation of cutting-edge, software-based systems and hands-on training. Prior to joining Southpaw, Jeff served as COO for a Dunkin’ Donuts network based in Phoenix, Arizona. He oversaw the network’s growth from zero to 19 stores in a three-year period and achieved market-beating returns despite an inferior product mix in the Phoenix market. 

Jeff had similar success during his tenure at Blockbuster Video, where he served as a Regional Director of Operations for over 150 stores. Despite a difficult time for the company at large, Jeff’s territory continuously outperformed its peers and he achieved 18%+ operating margins every year during his tenure. Prior to Blockbuster, Jeff oversaw operations for all Starbucks locations in the state of Oregon and northern California. 

His region consistently performed in the top ten of all Starbucks territories and he gained expertise in coffee excellence during his time with the company. Since 2011, Jeff has run day-to-day operations for Southpaw’s northeast Dunkin’ business. 

Having focused his entire career on creating uplifting moments with people through service and connection, Jeff feels very fortunate to have an opportunity to put it all together in the ongoing development of Southpaw. 

Jeff is a proud husband, father of four, and grandfather of one (so far). He also enjoys personal fitness, reading, outdoor activity, and travel when he’s not making connections at Southpaw.

Favorite thing about working at Southpaw: I am challenged to think creatively, drive performance, and build a strong organization, but in the end, what I really value is the opportunity to make at least one person’s day better. 

Favorite thing to order from Dunkin’ and Taco Bell: Large unsweetened iced tea (no lemon necessary) and an old-fashioned donut. I don’t always eat at Taco Bell but when I do it’s the Cheesy Gordita Crunch.

Title of your autobiography: Drag Queen Karaoke (and Other Life Lessons)

Deek VonderHaar
EVP, Taco Bell

Deek began his career in logistics and transportation with United Parcel Service leasing aircraft to global customers. In 2005 he transitioned to retail and joined The Home Depot as a store manager. While at The Home Depot, Deek was selected to join a group of store managers to participate in Six Sigma training, where he worked with a group to design new merchandising strategies to improve customer interactions. 

Deek joined Taco Bell corporate in 2007 as an area coach, assuming responsibility for a struggling market. After turning around the market and becoming the top area coach in sales growth in 2009, he was promoted to DMA Leader for Taco Bell, assuming responsibility for 100 franchises and 28 company stores. 

In 2011, Deek moved to KFC as a senior operations leader, supporting 248 stores in 7 states. In 2014, he joined the convenience store industry working for Thornton Oil Company and The Wills Group. Deek joined Southpaw in 2018 as Vice President for Taco Bell Operations in Kentucky and now has the Mid-Atlantic and Georgia.

When he’s not with the team at Southpaw, Deek loves flying airplanes, scuba diving, watching college sports, and spending time with his wife Colleen and three children.

Favorite thing about working at Southpaw: The family atmosphere built around an entrepreneurial culture.  

Favorite thing to order from Taco Bell: Chicken Quesadilla

Title of your autobiography: A Pilot Flies QSRs to Success

Tracy Pearsall
VP Human Resources

When Tracy started her work with Southpaw in April 2019, she was stricken by the passion of the people who worked there and how the company puts its people first. She’d never heard so many people talk about the company owners in such a wonderful way, and she knew she wanted to be a part of this organization's story.

In her previous HR roles, Tracy worked to align human capital strategy with company business plans and improve manager-employee communication for the overall wellbeing of the company and all who worked there. She also supported over 100 employees, both domestic and international, to ensure smooth working relationships for the overall productivity of the company and wellbeing of the staff.

Tracy brings more than 20 years of human resources experience to Southpaw, where she now oversees all aspects of HR and Payroll for Southpaw, which includes the Taco Bell locations in Kentucky the Mid-Atlantic and Georgia, the Dunkin' locations in New York, New Jersey and the Southpaw corporate office in Connecticut. She is responsible for leading all facets of human resources, including but not limited to culture, recognition, compensation and benefits, diversity, employee relations, employee communications, HR policy, business systems, performance management, talent acquisition, and talent management. 

She strives to bring her philosophy of kindness into everything she does so that each Southpaw employee and customer knows that they matter.

When Tracy is not working, she enjoys attending live music or sporting events, photography and spending as much time as she can with her friends and family especially her husband and 2 children.

Movie that most inspired you: I love autobiography films of any kind. The one I love the most is The Blind Side. I love that sometimes it just takes pure kindness to help others.  

Title of your autobiography: Smile, It's Contagious

3 words to best describe you: Fun, caring, kind

David Panella
VP of Development

In his 30 years of extensive work experience for iconic brands such as Friendly Ice Cream and Johnny Rockets, David oversaw branding, concept design, innovation, and development with a focus on implementing cost-effective, creative design solutions for development in the food service industry.  

David joined the Southpaw team in November 2020 as their Vice President of Development. This was a natural transition to join a very successful organization with an aggressive growth plan. In his current role at Southpaw, David oversees development for the design and construction of new, remodeling, and drive-thru addition projects. He manages all outside architects, engineers, environmental, qualified contractors, and adherence to corporate brand standards. David’s favorite part of his position with Southpaw is the satisfaction and pride from seeing a project successfully completed in support of the operations team.

David has been married to his sweetheart, Michelle, for over 33 years. In their house that he designed and built, they raised two wonderful sons, Vincent and Jonathan. David has a passion for the outdoors and spends his free time hunting, fishing, hiking, snow skiing, boating, and enjoying the excitement and thrill of barefoot waterskiing.

Favorite thing about working at Southpaw: Working with an amazing team of talented individuals. Judd and Erica’s passion for the brand is infectious and highly motivating.

Favorite thing to order from Dunkin’ and Taco Bell: The Bacon, Egg & Cheese on a Croissant breakfast sandwich. My favorite thing to eat at Taco Bell is the Soft Taco Supreme.

Title of your autobiography: Put Your Barefoot Forward

Dan Pellissier
VP of Real Estate

We are thrilled Dan joined our growing team in 2022. Dan is responsible for all new store location site selection and negotiation as well as management of our existing real estate portfolio.

Dan started his career in real estate development with a consulting firm at first drawing site plans for and then managing development of Home Depot and Target-anchored shopping centers. Over the years he led teams in the development and management of retail, office, medical, and most recently restaurant real estate. Leading real estate teams on the franchisor side of the business, transitioning to the franchisee world has been a very logical next step. His passion is developing and executing corporate growth, seeing the final result: a physical restaurant with open doors, ringing registers, and excited employees!

When Dan is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing the occasional round of golf, skeet shooting, and watching his kids compete in swimming, soccer, and basketball. At the beginning of the pandemic, I made a commitment to my physical fitness and the gym has become my home away from home!

Favorite thing about working at Southpaw: the people. I’ve never worked in an organization where the people and culture are so consistently awesome!

Favorite thing to order from Taco Bell: ​Crunchwrap Supreme

Movie that most inspired you: ​Field Of Dreams

Helen Cameron
Chief Administrative Officer

Helen is central to Southpaw’s daily operations, ensuring compliance to company policies and regulatory requirements, and facilitating communication between the brands and the corporate team. She also regularly deploys her expertise to help with human resources, employee benefits, lease management and network development. She considers the most important part of her job to be assisting Judd and Erica with their calendars, appointments, travel arrangements, and communications between operators and other departments.

Helen has more than 15 years of experience working as an executive assistant. She worked for 8 years in operations and logistics for a startup pumpkin seed company, handling everything from logistics to payroll to packing seeds into boxes (her favorite part!). Helen then became Betsy’s EA back in the days of Aunt Betsy’s Dunkin’ Donuts. 

For Helen, the best part of working with Southpaw is that every day is different & exciting. She’s spent years honing her multitasking skills as a mother and an EA, and she puts those skills to work daily.

Helen is passionate about kick boxing and equal opportunity for women and encourages her two daughters to be whatever they want to be.

Favorite thing about working at Southpaw: Working for a female CEO, mom (like me) is very inspiring!

Favorite thing to order from Dunkin’: Midnight Hot Coffee

Title of your autobiography:Kindness Goes a Long Way

Carolyn DeLieto
Controller

Carolyn began her career at a public accounting firm. After a few years working with taxes and audits, she decided to transition to a private company, Charlton Publications, as an internal accountant in their magazine publishing and distribution division. 

From there, she moved onto Joseph Cohn & Son Inc. where she was their controller for almost 20 years. This company was actually run by Erica’s aunt (the infamous Aunt Betsy), who then introduced Carolyn to Erica and Judd when Joseph Cohn & Son Inc. was being sold.

Carolyn started working for Southpaw in Oct 2011, bringing her 30+ years of experience in all areas of accounting. Southpaw keeps Carolyn busy, and she loves the challenge of tackling something and exciting each day. Off the clock, Carloyn loves playing volleyball, reading, and taking long walks.

Favorite thing about working at Southpaw: The work and I do and the people I work with.

Favorite thing to order at Dunkin’: White Cheddar Bagel Twists

3 words that best describe you: Workaholic, loyal, respectful

Trevor Nease
Senior Director of Operations, Taco Bell Mid-Atlantic & Louisisana

Trevor began his career with the Taco Bell brand over 25 years. He began his Taco Bell career as an Assistant Manager and worked his way up, earning Restaurant Manager, District Manager, and Director of Operations. 

Trevor was promoted to Senior Director of Operations in March 2021. 

As a Senior Director of Operations, Trevor Nease is responsible for 33 restaurants in the Mid-Atlantic & 17 locations in Louisisana. He brings a track record of successful restaurant management to this position and has demonstrated his ability to drive customer satisfaction, financial performance, and employee satisfaction.

Trevor takes pride in his tenure with the Taco Bell Brand and his reputation for growing next-generation managers from within the franchise.

Trevor enjoys spending time with his wife and family during his down time. They love the beach, traveling and enjoying wineries together. Trevor and Trina have two wonderful kids, Alyssa graduated from UNCW in 2021 and Trevor Jr is in his junior year of college. They both love running races together and it is known that Trevor is a little quicker on the course.

Favorite thing about working at Southpaw: The family feel of the company and the team.

Favorite thing to order from Dunkin’: ​Sweet ​tea and blueberry munchkins.

Movie that most inspired you: I know this is odd, but E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. It's a movie I watched when I was a kid with my Mom and ​siblings, and it still has meaning to me around family.

Jamie Long
Field Human Resources Director, Taco Bell

Jamie provides traditional HR support to both the Mid West and Mid Atlantic teams, she partners with the Area Coaches to attract, recruit, hire and monitor the training of qualified management candidates, as well as support the Southpaw HR team by communicating and implementing new benefits and new processes to the field. 

With over 12 years of experience in multiple facets of Human Resources including training and development, headcount and planning analysis, onboarding, recruitment, employee relations and process implementation. Jamie won the coveted MVP award with Time Warner Cable. The achievement she is most proud of, however, was taking advantage of tuition reimbursement to attain Master of Science Management - Human Resources degree while working full-time in the HR department with Insight Communications/Time Warner Cable.  

Jamie was introduced to our VP of Operations, Deek VonderHaar and Area Coach, Austin Hennessey and knew it was the right fit. Jamie says Southpaw is an environment like no other, from frontline team members and managers to AC’s and above, everyone here has a passion for success. 

Jamie is happily married to Cliff Long, a Middle School Physical Education Teacher. They love to be as active as possible and enjoy live music or a good Cardinals baseball game!

Favorite thing to order from Taco Bell: Crunchy Tacos and lots of Fire sauce.

Movie that most inspired you: Dead Poets Society 

Title of your autobiography:Work Hard, Be Kind

Austin Hennessey
Director of Operations, Taco Bell MidWest

In 2009 Austin followed his passion and opened his own Cajun inspired cuisine QSR franchise within a 4-month timeline. Austin joined Taco Bell corporate in 2010 as an AMR where he was tasked to turn around and support multiple underperforming units. Excelling in this challenge, Austin leveraged his charisma, eye for talent and ability to develop world class operators to achieve this feat. In 2014 Austin returned to the restaurant / retail industry by joining Thornton Oil Company to work on the restaurant conversion team effectively driving new revenue stream through the addition of restaurants inside convenience stores to sell hot grab and go QSR style food before assuming a role back in multiunit operations. Austin joined the Southpaw team in early 2018 as an AC for Taco Bell Operations. Austin graduated with a BSBA in Marketing from the University of Louisville and received an MBA from Bellarmine University.

Title of your autobiography: To live is to learn

3 words that best describe you: Loyal, Honest, Amusing

Jesse Moreland
Director Operations, Taco Bell Atlanta

Jesse began his 26-year career in August of 1993 as a team member. After working his way up through the company, he was promoted to Area Coach in 2000 where he spent his next 14 years covering multiple brands, opening, and remodeling many stores. In July of 2014 Jesse was promoted to Director of Operations and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Scherrie of 22 years and son Jesse Jr. to run the 28 newly acquired Taco Bell, KFC, and Long Johns Silver restaurants. Over the next 6 years the market was able to grow by building and acquiring other locations to bring the total to 60 units. Due to his success in GA, he was promoted to SR Director of Operation in 2019. In 2020, Jesse moved on to became VP of Operations for Wingstop and Sonic Drive In for the next 3 years until given the opportunity to join Southpaw in May of 2023 to run the 39 locations in Georgia. Jesse has a proven record of improving struggling markets and building great teams while being an authentic leader. He also has a passion for people development and paying forward his knowledge and experience with anyone that wants to learn. His first words to the new team were “I’m Back!”

Favorite thing to order from Taco Bell- Hard Shell Taco Supreme

Movie that inspires me Remember the Titans “Action reflects leadership.”

Favorite hobby – Cooking, I call myself the “BBQ Master.”