Management Team
Michael Pruitt
CEO/President
Michael Pruitt, a long-time entrepreneur with a proven track record, possesses the expertise to evaluate potential investments, form key relationships and recognize a strong management team. Mr. Pruitt founded Avenel Financial Group, a boutique financial services firm concentrating on emerging technology company investments. The business succeeded immediately, and in order to grow Avenel Financial Group to its full potential and better represent the company's ongoing business model, he formed Avenel Ventures, an innovative technology investment and business development company. In the late 1980s, Mr. Pruitt owned Southern Cartridge, Inc., which he eventually sold to MicroMagnetic, Inc., where he continued working as Executive Vice President and a Board member until the company was sold to Carolina Ribbon in 1992. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Pruitt worked in a trucking firm where he was instrumental in increasing revenues from $6 million to $30 million. Between 1997 and 2000, Mr. Pruitt assisted several public and private companies in raising capital, recruiting management and preparing companies to go public or be sold. He was the CEO and President of RCG Companies, Inc. (later changed to One Travel), a publicly traded holding company listed on the AMEX. Mr. Pruitt received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, where he sits on the Board of Visitors of the Wall School of Business, the Coastal Education Foundation Board and the Athletic Committee of the Board of Trustees. He also sits on the Board of Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (HOTR).
Alex Hemingway
Director of Chanticleer Europe
Alex brings domestic and international executive management experience to the team and a proven track record of success in the Central European QSR industry. Between 1999–2005, Alex was President and Chief Executive of Central European Franchise Group (“CEFG”), the owner and operator of the Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken brands in Hungary as well as three local national brands. Both brands boasted the highest customer feedback scores in the region for YUM! Restaurants International. While managing CEFG, Mr. Hemingway was approached by Orient Rt., Central Europe’s largest restaurant company with 130+ operating units based in Budapest, to be its Chief Executive Officer. Between the two companies Alex has had over 180 units and 5000 people under his employ. Alex founded and served as the Director of the Fast Food Association of Hungary. He currently serves on the Board of Supervisors of the Budapest Honved Football Club and local charitable foundations.
Eric Lederer
CFO
Eric joined Chanticleer Holdings in February 2011. Mr. Lederer has served as the Company’s Controller since February, 2011 and was appointed CFO in June 2012. From December 2005 through January 2011, Eric was the Controller of PokerTek, Inc. (NASDAQ, PTEK), a licensed gaming company that develops and distributes electronic table games, where he was responsible for day-to-day accounting functions and preparing SEC filings. There is no written agreement or contract between Mr. Lederer and the Company.
Amber Harrison
Corporate Counsel
Amber HarrisonAmber joined Chanticleer in November 2012. Prior to joining Chanticleer Holdings, Amber worked as an attorney at Harrison & Poore, PA and Oracle Law Firm, working mainly in federal law, torts, and contract disputes, employment law, complex business litigation, contract law, anti-trust, mergers & acquisitions, and corporate law. Amber also worked as assistant district attorney at the Cabarrus County District Attorney's office in Concord, NC. Prior, Amber acted as Corporate Counsel and Chief Advisor for DoodleBug Natural Foods, Inc., a multi-national company. Amber received her Juris Doctorate from Charlotte School of Law and her Bachelor’s Degree in French and Political Science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Michelle Arcidiacono
Accountant / Corporate Secretary
Michelle joined Chanticleer Holdings in January 2008. She is a 2003 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Winthrop University earning a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. In May of 2011, Michelle received her Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Winthrop University. She is a member of the South Carolina Association of Public Accountants. Prior to Chanticleer, Michelle worked as an Accounting Manager for a real estate development company headquartered in Charlotte. Prior to this position, Michelle was employed as a Staff Accountant for a local CPA firm which she specialized in corporate taxation.
Matthew Miller
Co-Portfolio Manager
Matthew Miller joined Chanticleer Holdings in June of 2005. He graduated Summa CumLaude from Coastal Carolina University earning a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. At Coastal, he graduated from the honors program and was a member of the distinguished Wall Fellows Program. In 2004, Matt was named a Financial Executives International Scholar. Most recently, he worked with Wachovia Securities, LLC in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where he coordinated prospecting efforts for the Pyle/Cunningham Investment Consulting Group. Matt has also worked for Hennecke GmbH in Sankt Augustin in Germany.
Joseph T. Koster
Co-Portfolio Manager
Joseph Koster joined Chanticleer Holdings in June of 2005. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Coastal Carolina University. Joe graduated with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society and the Wall Fellows Program at CCU.