Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc. has promoted Mary Schell to senior vice president of government relations and corporate affairs, the company said Thursday.
She has led government relations efforts at Wendy’s since 1995 and added those same responsibilities for Arby’s after the 2008 merger of the two brands created Wendy’s/Arby’s Group.
Chief communications officer John Barker said Schell’s promotion recognizes her leadership in representing the company at the local, state and national legislative levels and her industry leadership, including her current service on the board of the National Council of Chain Restaurants.
“Mary spends considerable time in Washington and focuses her team on identifying and responding to the most challenging political issues facing Wendy’s and Arby’s,” Barker said. “As part of this effort, she has achieved impressive results in rallying our franchisees to speak out as small-business owners and ambassadors of our brands.”
He added that Schell has guided the company’s political-action committee to its growth as the third-largest PAC in the restaurant industry.
Schell is a trustee of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and she previously has served on the boards of the National Restaurant Association and the International Franchise Association. Before joining Wendy’s, she was vice president of governmental affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives.
The Atlanta-based Wendy’s/Arby’s Group operates or franchises more than 10,000 restaurants worldwide.
Contact Mark Brandau at [email protected].
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