Our Team
Together our team includes more than 2,000 team members.
All of our team members are vital to delivering our mission of Every Guest, Every Time.
We believe our strong foundation starts with a strong team.
Allen Corey
Founder/CEO
Before founding SquareOne in 2013, Allen was the former CEO of CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries Inc. Allen managed over $500 million in annual revenue from 120 brewery and restaurants. He also previously served as the co-founder and CEO of Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group and a Partner in corporate transactions at Miller & Martin PLLC. Allen holds a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, and B.A. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
James Holland
CFO
James joined SquareOne in 2017 and brings over 15years of experience in financial and management information leadership. Previously, James held senior positions in international supply-chain and commodity trading companies where he oversaw finance and organization of business data. James holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia.
Jamie Walton
CBDO
Jamie joined SquareOne in 2015 and brings over 20 years of training and culinary experience. He is the former Culinary Training Manager for CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries Inc, where he oversaw training for Gordon Biersch and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery's restaurant portfolios. Prior to moving to Tennessee Jamie was the Executive Chef of Ragtime Tavern in Jacksonville, FL
Angela Duke
Vice President, Managing Director of Marketing
Angela Duke joined SquareOne as Vice President, Managing Director of Marketing in 2023 and brings 17 years of experience in delivering sales growth, building business partnerships, and developing new brands. Previously Angela held a senior position at Mohawk flooring, the world’s largest flooring manufacturer, where she led a group of the residential marketing team, focused on creating advertising tools, building customer loyalty and driving sales growth.
Dennis Korn
Director of Operations
Dennis joined SquareOne in 2019 as General Manager in charge of opening Stir Charlotte. In 2022 Dennis began overseeing multiple units for SquareOne in the North Carolina market. Prior to joining SquareOne, Dennis was a multi-unit leader with PF Chang's. Dennis has experience developing and overseeing high volume operations in restaurant and hotel food & beverage operations. Dennis has an Associate's degree in Business Administration.
Fletcher Thompson
Director of Operations
Fletcher joined SquareOne in 2015 and served as the opening General Manager of STIR Chattanooga and State of Confusion. Previously, Fletcher held General Manager and Manager roles for CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries Inc. Fletcher holds a degree from the University of South Carolina.
Ward Southeard
Director of Operations
Ward joined SquareOne in 2015, where he served as the opening Sous Chef at STIR Chattanooga before stepping into the General Manager role at State of Confusion. Prior to SquareOne, Ward held chef and management positions at CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries Inc., gaining valuable experience in both back-of-house operations and team development. Today, he brings that well-rounded expertise to his role as Director of Operations, helping drive excellence across the organization.
Sean McLain
Director of Operations
Sean began his journey with SquareOne in 2018 at State of Confusion in Chattanooga. His drive, leadership, and commitment to hospitality quickly propelled him into management after completing his degree. Since then, he’s played key roles in opening Mailroom, leading teams at STIR Chattanooga, and serving as General Manager at STIR Charlotte. Now as Director of Operations, Sean oversees multiple locations, bringing the same focus on quality, service, and team development that has defined his growth within the company.
Bill Heckler
Managing Director, Culinary
Bill joined SquareOne in 2014 and brings over 30 years of culinary experience, including over 50 restaurant opening in addition to training hundreds of cooks and chefs. Bill's tenure includes quick service, brewery restaurants, and fine dining markets. Bill was formerly the Corporate Chef at CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries Inc where he oversaw both the Gordon Biersch and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery restaurant portfolios. Bill also served as the Corporate Executive Chef at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group. He is a graduate of the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, OR.
Robert Poitras
VP, Brewery & Consumer Products
A fourth-generation UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus, Poitras wrote the business plan for Carolina Brewery as a student and opened its doors in 1995 on Franklin Street. He has served on the NCRLA Board for over eight years, including a term as Chair in 2010, and also led the Licensed Beverage Council. A two-time speaker at the National Craft Brewers Conference, Poitras currently serves on the NC Brewers Guild Board and continues to be a leader in North Carolina’s hospitality and craft beer industries..
DeRee Catlett
Director, Human Resources
DeRee joined SquareOne in 2023, bringing over nine years of experience in human resources with a focus on multi-unit operations. Prior to joining the team, she supported a 27-café franchise, where she led HR strategy, employee relations, and talent development across a growing footprint. DeRee plays a key role in fostering company culture and supporting team growth. She holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Steven Huddleston
Beverage Director
Steven joined SquareOne team in 2022. Prior to SquareOne, Steven traveled the US opening FORBES restaurants & bars. Steven holds a number of industry certifications and has contributed to many national publications for HuffPost, Forbes, Liquor.com & Imbibe as a member of The Chilled 10. Steven is a U.S. Marine Corps & OIF Veteran and holds a B.A. in Accounting. In his spare time, Steven enjoys competing in cocktail competitions & enjoying the local outdoor community.
Aaron "Hutch" Hutchison
IT/MIS
Hutch joined SquareOne in 2021. Previously, Hutch held roles in overseeing restaurant management information systems. (MIS) Hutch led support teams at CTUIT, an industry software, serving clients like SquareOne. Hutch brings almost a decade of direct front-of-house and store-level management experience to his role. Hutch attended Arkansas State University.
Andrew Gouge
Purchasing Manager
Andrew joined SquareOne in 2024 and brings Andrew joined SquareOne with over a decade of experience in purchasing and supply chain operations across the manufacturing industry. He has led sourcing strategies, contract negotiations, and process improvements, with a focus on driving cost savings and building strong procurement practices. Andrew holds a degree in Logistics and International Business from the University of Tennessee.
Scott Eiselstein
R&D Chef
Scott served as the Executive Chef opening STIR Chattanooga in 2015. In early 2022, Scott joined the SquareOne team as Corporate Chef Research and Development. He assists corporate culinary efforts with special research & development projects and new concept creation.
Andy Barrett
Director, Real Estate
Andy has over 30 years of business and real estate experience. In addition to launching numerous hospitality businesses, he in an expert in structuring deals with banks and financial service companies, especially with troubled assets. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration focused in Marketing from University of Iowa.
Jim Thomas
Partner, Operations
For over 30 years, Jim has worked in providing casual dining experiences. The former Vice President of Operations at CraftWorks Restaurant & Breweries Inc, he oversaw 40 brewery restaurants. He is the former Director of Operations for Spinnakers restaurant. He holds a B.S. in Hospitality Management from Florida State University.
Scott King
Partner, Culinary
With 36 years of restaurant industry experience, Scott is the Executive Chef of Blue Fish Grill in Jacksonville, FL, and the former Executive Chef of A1A Ale Works in St. Augustine, FL.