10 First Watch operations leaders
SVP of Operations- The East, Vice President - Operations and Regional Vice President Of Operations are among the current titles held by these First Watch operations leaders. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at First Watch from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Brandon Heinsohn
LinkedInExperience: Division Vice President · First Watch Restaurants
Brandon Heinsohn has been Division Vice President at First Watch Restaurants since April 2014, and the listing places them in San Antonio, Texas. They were Director of Operations at The Egg and I (2011–2014) and District Manager at Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon (2007–2010).
Brian Fisher
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President Operations · First Watch Restaurants
Brian Fisher has been Senior Vice President Operations at First Watch Restaurants since January 2015, and the listing places them in Bradenton, Florida. At First Watch Restaurants they were also VP Operations (2012–2015) and Regional Vice President of Operations (2001–2012).
Carmen Rundell
LinkedInExperience: VP Franchise · First Watch Restaurants
Carmen Rundell has been VP Franchise at First Watch Restaurants since April 2025, and the headline reads Vice President - Franchise Operations- First Watch Restaurants. At First Watch Restaurants they were also VP of Operations- South Division (2022–2025) and VP of Franchise Operations (2018–2022).
Dave Mauk, PMP
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · First Watch Restaurants
Dave Mauk has been Vice President Operations at First Watch Restaurants since June 2025, and the headline names the role Vice President of Operations - South Division. They were Regional Vice President of Operations at First Watch Restaurants (2022–2025) and Vice President of Operations at Hacienda Colorado (2012–2019).
David Gaines
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · First Watch
David Gaines has been Vice President Operations at First Watch since June 2018, and the listing places them in Delaware, Ohio. The profile lists the role in the operations department at the vice president level, and the headline reads VP at First Watch.
Kevin Lange
LinkedInExperience: Regional Vice President of Franchise Operations · First Watch Restaurants
Kevin Lange has been Regional Vice President of Franchise Operations at First Watch Restaurants since January 2022, and the profile also lists a Regional Vice President role there from November 2025. They were Director Of Franchise Operations at First Watch Restaurants (2017–2022) and Director of Operations (2015–2017).
Mike Lee
LinkedInExperience: Regional Vice President Of Operations · First Watch Restaurants
Mike Lee has been Regional Vice President Of Operations at First Watch Restaurants since March 2015, and the headline names Arizona/Nevada, with the listing placing them in Phoenix. They were General Manager - Il Terrazzo Restaurant at The Phoenician Resort (2014–2015) and General Manager at The St. Paul Grill (2009–2013).
Paul Livrieri
LinkedInExperience: Vice President - Operations · First Watch Restaurants
Paul Livrieri has been Vice President - Operations at First Watch Restaurants since January 2025, and the listing places them in Greater Orlando. They were Division Vice President Operations at Miller's Ale House Restaurants (2021–2024), Executive Vice President Of Operations at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen (2017–2020) and Executive Vice President (EVP) of Operations at LongHorn Steakhouse (2014–2017).
Robert Botelho
LinkedInExperience: SVP of Operations- The East · First Watch Restaurants
Robert Botelho has been SVP of Operations- The East at First Watch Restaurants since March 2026, and was Vice President of Operations there from 2022 to 2026. At LongHorn Steakhouse they were Director Of Operations (2020–2022) and Director, Operations Excellence (2018–2020).
Robert Glen
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President Operations · First Watch Restaurants
Robert Glen has been Senior Vice President Operations at First Watch Restaurants since March 2025, and the headline reads Senior Vice President of Operations - West, in the Denver area. They were Vice President at First Watch Restaurants (2016–2025) and Regional Vice President at The Egg & I Restaurant (2007–2016).
Choose the right perspective
Match the scope in each person's title, whether a division, a region or franchise operations, to the decision you face. Weigh how recently each person took the role, since someone new to a division and someone who has led one for years will describe different challenges.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you change first when you took on your operations role, and why?
- 02How do you decide which operating problems need your own attention and which to delegate?
- 03Which part of your earlier career best prepared you for your current operations role, and why?
Reaching First Watch operations leaders
How can I contact one of these First Watch operations leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 2 companies: First Watch Restaurants and First Watch, based on profile data retrieved on October 24, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach First Watch operations leaders?
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What if they don't reply?
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Can an AI agent ask one of these First Watch operations leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. Claude and ChatGPT can do the same through the Instant Expert connector: setup is at /docs/mcp for Claude and /docs/chatgpt for ChatGPT. x402 docs
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.
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