About Us
Leadership
In an industry known for frequent changes at the top level, the continuity of Mazzio's management team is a huge strategic asset. Having worked together for many years, the team has leveraged its experience and depth to become a dominant force in the food service industry. Mazzio's management team builds long-term relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and franchisees – all toward its goals of aggressive growth and staying on the cutting edge of the industry.
Executive Team
Ken Selby
Chairman & FounderKen Selby graduated from Northeastern State University in 1958 and attended The University of Tulsa graduate school in 1960 and 1961.
While employed as a teacher for Tulsa Public Schools in 1961, he established a small pizza restaurant in Tulsa. In 1965, he resigned his teaching position and began to establish additional pizza restaurants.
These original restaurants, known as Ken's Pizza, were the foundation for future concepts, including Mazzio's Italian Eatery and Oliveto Italian Bistro. The company presently operates system wide a total of 165 restaurants in the Midwest, South and Southeast.
Headquartered in Tulsa, Mazzio's LLC is privately held with Chairman Ken Selby its sole shareholder.
Selby has served on the board of directors of Western National Bank, The Tulsa Foundation, Hillcrest Medical Center Foundation, Indian Nations Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Tulsa Junior College Foundation, Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, Philbrook Museum, Gilcrease Museum and Holland Hall School. He is or recently has been a member of Tulsa's Economic Development Commission, Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), World Business Council, the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church and The Children's Hospital Foundation at Saint Francis.
Gregory R. Lippert
President & CEOGreg was appointed president and CEO of Tulsa-based Mazzio's Corporation, operating 171 Mazzio's Italian Eateries and 15 Zio's Italian Kitchens restaurants, in August 2005. Prior to this appointment, he was chief operating officer of Fazoli's, a restaurant chain of 400 Italian restaurants. Greg started his career with Cincinnati's package-goods marketer Procter and Gamble Company; and went on to Philip Morris' Seven Up Company, where he became brand manager, 7UP, a 1.8 billion dollar brand. He successfully introduced the "No Caffeine, Never Had It, Never Will" plan that increased brand profits by $31.2 million in a single year.
He came to Tulsa in 1984 to join the original Ken's Restaurant Systems as the marketing director. He oversaw all Mazzio's and Ken's Pizza marketing and the introduction of Zio's Italian Kitchen, from its conceptual stage to its 15 locations. Greg left Mazzio's Corporation as senior vice president of marketing/research & development/culinary to join Fazoli's, Inc. as CMO. He was promoted to Fazoli's COO in 2004.
Greg is a graduate of DePauw University, where he played soccer. He continued his passion for the sport as an adult player, U.S.S.F. licensed coach and referee in Tulsa for more than 20 years. He has served on National Restaurant Association's board of directors (MEG) and has been a featured speaker at various foodservice industry conferences (COEX and MUFSO). He and his wife, Liz, have three adult children and numerous grandchildren living in Tulsa.
Bradford J. Williams, Jr.
Senior Vice President / General CounselBrad Williams graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1966. In 1969, Brad received his Juris Doctorate from The University of Tulsa.
Upon leaving TU, Brad was an assistant district attorney for Tulsa County for three years. He then worked for Hall Estill law firm for six years. Brad joined Mazzio's Corporation as a vice president and general counsel in 1979. He is currently the senior vice president / general counsel for Mazzio's LLC.
Brad and his wife, Nanci, have two sons, Brad and Brent, and four grandchildren.
Brad is actively involved in the Tulsa County Bar Association, St. John's Episcopal Church and Habitat for Humanity.
Brad's hobbies include golf, martial arts, running, auto/Kart racing and reading.
David R. Poth
Senior Vice President, Marketing & R&DDave Poth graduated from St. Louis University with a bachelor's degree in marketing and a master's in business administration.
Following graduation, Dave spent two years as a marketing assistant for Alton Box Board Company. For four years, he worked for Lemco Engineers as the marketing manager. In 1983, he joined The Seven-Up Company as assistant brand manager, and later served as a promotions manager. He then joined Ralston Purina as an assistant promotion manager.
Dave joined Mazzio's Corporation in July, 1986, as the manager of concept development. Since that time, he has held the position of director – advertising and promotion and is currently the senior vice president of marketing and research & development. Dave was awarded a Tulsa Addy award in 1991 and is a member of the National Restaurant Association Marketing Executive Group.
Dave and his wife, Cheryl, have one daughter.
Dave has served as an adjunct professor of marketing and management for many years at The University of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College and Northeastern State University. He is also actively involved in the United Way, Catholic Charities, Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity.
Dave's hobbies include golf, reading and serving as a nationally certified ice hockey referee.
David Chambers
Vice President of OperationsDavid began his career with Mazzio's Corporation in 1982, when he was hired at a Ken's Pizza (now Mazzio's Italian Eatery) in Muskogee, Oklahoma. David was soon promoted to general manager in 1983, and then worked in several different locations before being promoted to area general manager in 1987. In 1995, he was appointed to the director of operations for Mazzio's Italian Eatery and held that position until being promoted to his current position in 2007. David has shown great leadership in improving Mazzio's customer loyalty index as well as significant improvement in restaurant overhead at about 16 percent. Mazzio's was recognized nationally by Chain Leader magazine as "Best Places to Work" in 2007 where David's impact has been noted.
David attended Connors State College and is committed to community service involvement. He serves as the chairperson for the Tulsa County Food Advisory Council.
David and his wife, Janet, enjoy spending time with their children and grandson.
His hobbies include golf, camping, boating, ATV and motorcycle riding.
