Delaware North on April 6, announced Jodi Battaglia has been promoted to director of brands for Delaware North’s travel business, while Simon Lorady has joined the company as director of concepts.
In their roles, both Battaglia and Lorady will be based at Delaware North’s global headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y., reporting to Vito Buscemi, vice president of brands and concepts for the company’s travel business. Based on growth strategies and in-market research, Battaglia and Lorady will identify best-in-class national, regional and local brands to expand and enhance the company’s portfolio of food, beverage and retail operations in travel hubs. They will collaborate with leadership at Delaware North travel units to develop operational strategy for identified brands, while also working with designers, operators, culinarians and project coordinators to lead the concept development process.
Battaglia, who most recently served as a senior marketing analyst for Delaware North’s Sportservice division, joined the company in 2011 as an intern and has steadily climbed the ranks. She spent three years as a marketing research analyst for Delaware North Sportservice before being promoted in April 2015 to a project management role – working on key bid proposal packages. As a senior marketing analyst, she led a joint business planning initiative to align Delaware North Sportservice operational goals with those of our clients to obtain mutual gains and strengthened partnerships.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University at Albany, where she was a decorated four-year starter on the Division I women’s lacrosse team. Among her professional accolades, in 2016 she earned a NEXT Award – presented to Delaware North associates under the age of 35 who are making an impact and best represent the future of the company.
Lorady, who has more than 18 years of related operational leadership experience, most recently served as a terminal director of operations for OTG Management at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. While in that role, he oversaw more than 30 restaurants and markets that generated in excess of $45 million in annual sales. His career also includes roles such as food and beverage manager at Caesars Entertainment Corporation in Atlantic City, N.J.; director of operations at Fredrick’s Italian Restaurant & Lounge in Mercer County, N.J.; premium services director at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City; and general manager of King George, a restaurant, catering and inn operation in Bristol, Pa.
Lorady earned a bachelor’s degree in digital media production at The Art Institute of Philadelphia.
