The Paramount Group is thrilled to announce Amy Unell as the first-ever Chief Operating Officer for the company. In partnership with CEO Jodi Fyfe, Unell will oversee the operation side of each brand within the Paramount family including Paramount Events, Eden, The Lakewood, Lake Street Staffing, HighGround, Spaces at 1756, West Lake Market and Paramount Fresh.
“There is no other person I would rather have working beside me than Amy,” said Fyfe. “Having worked with Amy for more than thirteen years at both Aramark and Blue Plate, I know that she is able to bring a level of knowledge and creativity that is unmatched and will elevate The Paramount Group in ways we have yet to imagine. Her tenacity, dedication, expertise and passion make her a driving force in the industry and we are so lucky to have her as not only our first COO, but a member of the Paramount family as well.”
Having spent the last seven years as Regional Vice President of Operations for Wolfgang Puck, Unell brings more than 25 years of experience working in the food and beverage industry. She began her career under the umbrella of the Aramark Corporation as an Assistant Director at Montgomery Ward & Company. She quickly moved on to become a Director at AMOCO Properties, CNA Insurance, RR Donnelley & Sons and Chicago Classic Fare Catering, before becoming the General Manager at Bank One Plaza. Unell spent the next five years as the Vice President of Operations at Blue Plate Catering where she directed off-premise catering operations, two restaurant operations, a private Donors Club, catering and concessions at the Chicago Symphony Center, all while leading logistics, purchasing, service training, culinary execution, operational systems implementation and design, cost controls, budgeting, analysis and strategic planning. Following her time at Blue Plate, Unell joined Richey International working amongst the world’s top luxury hotels and resorts, traveling to 28 countries in two years before settling in California where she was responsible for approximately $54 million in catering and retail Food & Beverage revenues for the west coast during her time with Wolfgang Puck. Unell is a member of the Catering Executives Club of America, Cornell Hotel Society (where she served as Chapter President from 1997 – 1999), Hephzibah Children’s Association, and is active in Y-ME Race for a Cure. She was a James Beard House Dinner participant in 2002 and 2006 and has been volunteering at the Chicago Food Depository for more than 20 years. Unell originally hails from St. Louis, MO and is a graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management.
“It is a dream come-true to be able to do what I love in a city that I love,” said Unell. “Coming back to the Midwest, I am invigorated to work with The Paramount Group in order to grow the business in new and exciting ways. There is so much opportunity to build upon the exceptional platform that Jodi and her team have created, and I look forward to developing and implementing strong foundations and efficiencies to make those opportunities a reality.”
About The Paramount Group:
The Paramount Group is a hospitality and lifestyle group focused on creating exceptional customer experiences through food, service, and surroundings, and comprised of a collection of eight brands; Paramount Events, Eden, The Lakewood, Lake Street Staffing, HighGround, Spaces at 1756, West Lake Market and Paramount Fresh. Located in Chicago’s West Loop, The Paramount Group and its brands are owned and operated under one roof and headed up by Chicago’s very own culinary and hospitality boss lady, Jodi Fyfe. With over 25 years of experience under her belt, Jodi’s passion is bringing the highest caliber culinary experience to every client.
