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Susie Southgate-Fox

Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc.

Department(s)
Hospitality

Biography

Susie Southgate-Fox is a partner and the Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc (LEYE). Southgate-Fox began working with Richard Melman, the founder and Chairman of the Board of LEYE, in the late 1960's. She met Melman at his father's restaurant, Mr. Ricky's, where she worked as a cashier and hostess. In 1974 Susie began her career with Lettuce Entertain You as a server at Bones. After being promoted to management positions at Ed Debevic's and Shaw's Crab House, Southgate-Fox joined the corporate office in 1988 as Manager of Human Resources. She then became the Director of Training, and was made Vice President of Training and Development and finally was named Senior Vice President of Human Resources in 1992. Now, she also oversees administrative day to day operations at the corporate office.

Southgate-Fox currently oversees the recruiting, training and development of benefits and compensation, and is extensively involved with employee relations and counseling, resolving employee grievances and disputes and keeping LEYE in compliance with current labor laws. She teaches and certifies LEYE employees in both Sanitation and Alcohol Awareness, and is very proud that the LEYE Alcohol Awareness training program is widely regarded as a leader in the hospitality industry. As the company continues to grow at a rapid pace, Southgate-Fox is developing the kind of training that has made the Lettuce name synonymous with excellent service.

Born in England and raised in Israel, Southgate-Fox earned a bachelor of arts degree in Special Education from Northeastern University in Chicago and taught emotionally disturbed adolescents for 12 years. She later taught Organizational Behavior at Kendall College where she formally sat on the college's Advisory Board. Currently, she sits on the Board of Advisors for William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, UNLV. In 2004, Southgate-Fox was the recipient of the "Elliot Motivator of the Year" award.

Southgate-Fox's personal interests include gardening and reading. She is married with two children. Susie Southgate-Fox bears the distinction of being the first LEYE partner who is also a mom.