Our Team.
At Woody’s Brands, our team is more than a roster—it’s a family of passionate people who live and breathe hospitality. From the folks behind the scenes to the leaders shaping each concept, we share one mission: to create places where people come together for unforgettable good times. Whether you're cheering at Little Woodrow’s turtle races, enjoying craft cocktails and simulator games at Woody’s Hideaway, or racking up a friendly game of pool at Eddie’s Tavern, it all starts with the people who make it happen.
Bob is a proud Baylor University alumni, holding degrees in both accounting and real estate. Since 1984, he has played a leading role in developing and managing a wide range of successful food and beverage concepts, including Yucatan Liquor Stand, Joe’s Crab Shack, Fast Eddie’s, Woody’s Hideaway, and Little Woodrow’s. His expertise and leadership has made a lasting impact on the industry.
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Shad, a proud University of Houston graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, has over 30 years of hospitality experience. He has held multiple leadership positions prior to joining Woody's Brands in 2017, including Mo’s Restaurants, Twin Peaks, and the G.R.E.A.T. Grille Group. He's been instrumental in scaling operations, developing streamlined systems, and driving sustained growth across all Woody's Brands concepts. He is known for building strong teams, improving performance, and enhancing the guest experience.
Most recently serving as president and chief operating officer of TGI Fridays, a $1.5 billion organization with 650 units across 51 countries, Risley led transformative operational improvements that resulted in dramatic gains in customer satisfaction metrics. Previously, Ray was CEO of Via 313 Pizzeria, President and COO of Whiskey Cake and Ida Claire, and President of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse.
Gary W. Foster, CPA, is an experienced financial executive with over 30 years of expertise in accounting, financial management and strategic leadership. Prior to joining Woody’s Brands, he held senior finance roles at Sunny Sky Products, LLC, Rice Food Markets, Inc. and Retail Concepts, Inc., where he led financial strategy, audit coordination, and M&A due diligence efforts. Gary holds both an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin.
Jessica Lawson is an accomplished marketing executive with over 17 years of experience driving brand growth across the retail and restaurant industries. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she has built a successful career leading high-impact marketing initiatives for both emerging and established brands.   She has held marketing roles with notable companies including Neiman Marcus, Ignite Restaurant Group, Goode Company and Shipley Do-Nuts, where her work led to increased brand visibility, customer acquisition, and successful multi-channel campaigns.
A proud graduate of the University of Houston, Rob honed his skills as a landman and developed agricultural properties on the West Coast. Since joining Woody's Brands, Rob has become in a key player during the construction of remodeling projects and new store openings. Beyond development, he also expertly manages facilities for all locations.
Tim Griffin is an accomplished culinary leader with over 20 years of experience spanning the hospitality and restaurant industries. A graduate of both Culinary Institute of America and Texas Tech University, Tim has built a career defined by culinary innovation, operational excellence and strategic leadership.