MEET SHS
Joseph D'Alessandro
As founder and president of Strategic Hospitality Search, Joseph D’Alessandro recruits senior-level staff for leading hotels, resorts, restaurants and food service institutions across the nation. With an extensive and constantly growing network, Joseph has successfully managed and completed hundreds of hospitality assignments. He has particular expertise in high volume restaurant operations, foodservice, sports entertainment, catering and culinary operations.
Prior to Strategic Hospitality Search, Joseph spent 15 years working in hospitality operations. A chef by trade, Joe held corporate chef, general manager and proprietor positions. During his time with Levy Restaurants, he participated in task force work including dozens of stadium and arena openings and PGA golf tournaments throughout the US.
Joseph is an active member of the Illinois Restaurant Association, the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF), the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFE), the American Society of Healthcare Foodservice Professionals (ASHFSA), and the International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA). He is on the board of advisors for Tasty Catering Corporation and the ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians, and is on the board of directors of T.F. Processors, Inc.
Joseph studied economics and English literature at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
E. Scott Lager
Scott Lager is an executive recruiter for Strategic Hospitality Search with exceptional hands-on comprehension of what it takes to be successful in the hospitality industry. With over three decades of leadership positions in renowned corporations, independents and start-ups, Scott has overseen or participated in every stage of the business – from conception to opening to success. He has mentored scores of managers and chefs.
Scott’s operations career includes almost 15 years managing high-volume concepts for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, where he was instrumental in creating, developing and implementing their now-industry-standard management training program. As an operations executive with Arlington International Racecourse, Scott created and implemented the customer service training program that was duplicated in five venues. Other highlights of Scott’s career include over five years as Managing Partner for Biaggi’s Italiano Ristorante and five years in a multiunit capacity with regional favorite Prairie Rock Brewing Company.
Scott is also an instructor at Elgin Community College where he has taught hospitality management since 2003. He studied hotel and restaurant management at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Scott enjoys many outdoor activities such as kayaking and cross-country skiing. He is married to Kathy, a retail entrepreneur, and together they have raised three wonderful children.