September 14, 2009
Contact: Mike Donohue (202) 331-5902, Annika Stensson (202) 973-3677

(Washington, D.C.) The National Restaurant Association today announced that Sally J. Smith, Chief Executive Officer for Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., was elected vice chair of the Board of Directors during the Association's September Board meeting in the nation’s capital. Smith will serve as vice chair until January 2011.

"We are pleased that Sally will continue to play an important role in the National Restaurant Association’s leadership, bringing her unique experience and extraordinary talent to our member services and priority issues," said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the Association. "As we continue our work to advance the restaurant and foodservice industry on Capitol Hill and in the public eye, Sally will play a critical role in our efforts."

The vice chair is a volunteer position held by a member of the Association's Board of Directors who is an exceptional leader in the restaurant industry. When electing officers, directors consider the individual's level of participation in Board activities, his or her leadership skills, stature and involvement in industry activities.

Smith is president and chief executive officer of Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., and has served in that capacity for more than 13 years. Buffalo Wild Wings includes more than 610 restaurants in 41 states. Smith formerly held the position of chief financial officer with the company.

Smith began serving on the National Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors in 2002, and served as treasurer prior to her current position as vice chair.

Smith sharpened her business acumen with experience at KPMG Peat Marwick, and 11 years at the national franchise company Dahlberg Inc. (now Miracle-Ear Inc.), where she rose to become chief financial officer.

Smith was named the 2001 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Midwest region and 2002 North Dakota Innovator of the Year. She was also a recipient of the Nation’s Restaurant News Golden Chain Award in 2003. Most recently, Smith was selected as the winner of the IFMA Gold Plate Award in 2009.

In addition, Smith is chairman of the University of North Dakota College of Business and Public Administration Advisory Council, and a member and former treasurer of the Minnesota Young Presidents Organization and a member of the Minnesota World Presidents Organization.

A native of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Smith is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and accounting. She also is a licensed CPA.

Also at the Association’s Board of Directors meeting, Michael Gibbons, president and CEO of Mainstreet Ventures, Inc., in Ann Arbor, Mich., was elected chairman; and Rosalyn “Roz” Mallet, president and CEO of PhaseNext Hospitality in Plano, Texas, was elected treasurer.