The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) has announced that Allen Thomas has been unanimously selected by its Board of Directors as the association’s next president & CEO, following an extensive national search. Thomas will assume his new role on Aug. 29, working alongside current President & CEO Lynn Minges in a strategic transition through the end of the year. Minges, who has led NCRLA since 2012, will retire on Dec. 31 and continue as a strategic advisor to Thomas into 2026.

Allen’s exceptional record of executive leadership, public service, and entrepreneurial vision makes him the ideal leader for NCRLA’s future,” said Jason Smith, chair of the NCRLA Board of Directors and Owner of 18 Restaurant Group in a press release. “He brings the right mix of leadership, advocacy, and strategic insight to build on the association’s success and guide it and the hospitality industry into a new era.”

Thomas, a native of North Carolina, is a seasoned business professional, policymaker and economic development leader. He most recently served as Regional Administrator overseeing all of the southeast United States for the U.S. Small Business Administration, including North Carolina. In that role, he focused on access to capital for entrepreneurs, small business growth, recovery and resilience, with a special emphasis on the restaurant and lodging sectors. Thomas previously served three terms as Mayor of Greenville, NC, where he led efforts to expand innovation and economic growth, and as Executive Director of the Global TransPark, re-launching a key logistics and transportation hub linking North Carolina’s economy to global markets.

“The hospitality industry is a catalyst of North Carolina’s economy, our people, our culture, and communities,” said Thomas in a press release . “I’m honored to lead, working hand in hand with our great business owners and professionals across the state continuing our growth, new opportunities and progress ready to meet all the future holds. NCRLA is a respected force for good, both statewide and nationally. I look forward to building on that foundation and working with our members, policymakers, and partners to elevate this essential industry.”

As president & CEO, Thomas will serve as the chief advocate for more than 22,000 businesses that comprise North Carolina’s $35.8 billion hospitality industry. He will focus on strengthening workforce pipelines, advancing pro-business policy, and positioning the state’s restaurant and lodging sector for long-term success.

Since taking the helm in 2012, Lynn Minges has led NCRLA through a period of transformative growth and impact. Under her leadership, the association expanded its political influence, delivered critical support to members during the COVID-19 crisis, and secured major legislative wins in areas such as alcohol modernization, workforce development, and industry funding. Her efforts have elevated NCRLA as the unified voice of North Carolina’s second-largest private employer.

“Serving this industry has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Lynn Minges in a press release. “Hospitality is about people—it’s built on resilience, passion, and service. Every day, I’ve been inspired by the individuals who power our restaurants, hotels, and tourism businesses. I am confident Allen is the right person to take the baton. His leadership experience, public policy expertise, and commitment to our state make him an outstanding choice to lead NCRLA into the future.”

Board Chair Jason Smith applauded the transition saying that “Lynn’s legacy is extraordinary—she helped us grow stronger, more united, and more influential. We are deeply grateful for her vision and service.”

Thomas’s appointment follows a rigorous national search led by the NCRLA Board of Directors, with leadership from Search Committee Chair and President of LM Restaurant Group Amber Moshakos, and Search Director Rosemary Gantz of Stanton Chase. He will formally assume the President & CEO role in Q4 2025.