10 Darden Restaurants executives
Chief financial officer, brand president, chief communications and public affairs officer, chief supply chain officer and senior vice president of brand operations or marketing are among the current titles held by these Darden Restaurants executives. A reader can learn how executives lead Darden Restaurants from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Brad Smith
LinkedInExperience: President International and Franchising · Darden
Brad Smith has been President International and Franchising at Darden since May 2024. At Darden, Brad Smith was also Senior Vice President Franchising (2019 to 2024) and Vice President International Development (2017 to 2024), and was Chief Operating Officer at Romacorp, Inc. (2002 to 2016).
Dan Kiernan
LinkedInExperience: EVP of Operations, Olive Garden · Darden
Dan Kiernan holds the role of EVP of Operations, Olive Garden at Darden, listed from July 1992 with no end date, in the operations department at the President or Vice President level. Dan Kiernan is based in Lake Mary, Florida, and the listing shows no other work rows.
Douglas Milanes
LinkedInExperience: SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer · Darden
Douglas Milanes has been SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Darden since May 2015, based in Greater Orlando. At Darden, Douglas Milanes was also Senior Vice President, Purchasing (2013 to 2015), and was VP, Global Procurement and Operations (2008 to 2012) and Vice President, CFO Capsugel (2005 to 2008) at Pfizer.
Falon Farrell
LinkedInExperience: President, The Capital Grille & Eddie V's · Darden
Falon Farrell has been President, The Capital Grille & Eddie V's at Darden since May 2024, and the listing also shows a Senior Vice President Operations role there from August 2020 with no end date. At Darden, Falon Farrell was also Vice President of Operations, Eddie V's (2018 to 2020) and Director of Operations, Eddie V's (2016 to 2018).
Jason Smith
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President Operations · Darden
Jason Smith has been Senior Vice President Operations at Darden since January 2025, with a headline naming the role as Senior Vice President Brand Operations at LongHorn Steakhouse. At Darden, Jason Smith was also Divisional Vice President Operations (2019 to 2025), Division Vice President (2019 to 2025) and Director of Operations (2014 to 2019).
John Felton
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President | Head of Marketing & Culinary Development - LongHorn Steakhouse · Darden
John Felton has been Senior Vice President | Head of Marketing & Culinary Development - LongHorn Steakhouse at Darden since July 2026. At Darden, John Felton was also Senior Vice President | Head of Marketing & Culinary Development - Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen (2024 to 2026) and Vice President in the same role at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen (2023 to 2024).
Mark Cooper
LinkedInExperience: President, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen · Darden
Mark Cooper has been President, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen at Darden since June 2025, based in Orlando, Florida. At Darden, Mark Cooper was also President, Seasons 52 and Bahama Breeze (2024 to 2025) and held progressive roles in finance (1997 to 2024).
Michael Kneidinger
LinkedInExperience: President - Yard House Restaurants · Darden
Michael Kneidinger has been President - Yard House Restaurants at Darden since June 2016, based in Orlando, Florida. At Darden, Michael Kneidinger was also President - Bahama Breeze (2013 to 2016), and was VP and COO Company Operations at Hard Rock Cafe International (1993 to 2013).
Raj Vennam
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Darden
Raj Vennam has been Chief Financial Officer of Darden since January 2021, based in Orlando, Florida. At Darden, Raj Vennam was also Senior Vice President Finance (2016 to 2020), and was Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis and Investor Relations at The Fresh Market (2014 to 2016).
Susan Connelly
LinkedInExperience: Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer · Darden
Susan Connelly has been Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer at Darden since June 2019. At Darden, Susan Connelly was also Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs (2015 to 2019), Vice President, State and Local Government Relations (2014 to 2015) and Senior Director, State and Local Government Relations (2012 to 2014).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope, such as a single brand's presidency or operations, or a company-wide function like finance, supply chain or communications, to the decision you are working through. Check the dates on each person's current role before relying on their view of how the work is done today.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Which decisions do you keep at your level, and which do you leave to the leaders who report to you?
- 02What should a new executive in your role learn first?
- 03How do you decide where your function's practices should be the same everywhere and where they should differ?
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.