George Chavel

George Chavel is the former CEO of Sodexo, a Global Services Company, where he ran the $10 billion North American Operations, leading 133,000 employees, serving the Fortune 500, Health Care, Education and Government Segments. In addition, Mr. Chavel also served as Global Healthcare CEO.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh, PA, Valet Living, Tampa, FL Corelle Brands, (formally World Kitchen) Chicago IL, Pure Star, Las Vegas NV and Restaurant Technologies, Minneapolis, MN. He is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)

He is a recent Independent Director at CH Guenther & Sons, San Antonio TX (2016-2018) where he served on the Executive and Compensation Committees of this Private Family owned company that was sold to Private Equity.

Chavel joined Sodexo in 1991, and held a wide range of leadership positions, including COO, and President of Healthcare where he authored and implemented an innovative patient experience model that resulted in record growth and employee engagement. He was appointed CEO in 2007 where he served for 8 years delivering a 3 Billion revenue increase while doubling operating profit.

Mr. Chavel was recognized among U.S. CEO’s as a strong advocate of Diversity, Talent Development, Workforce Development, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Under his leadership, he imbedded Diversity and Inclusion in the company with measurable demonstrated outcomes. He and his team received numerous accolades for its commitment to diversity and inclusion including the 2012 Catalyst Award and the #1 ranking on Diversity Inc’s Top 50 Companies twice.

Previously, Mr. Chavel had extensive experience in the Franchising industry as both Franchisor and Franchisee in the fast food segment, including expertise in Franchise Sales, and Real Estate and Store Construction. He began his Career as a Consultant with Arthur Andersen.

Mr. Chavel is a past member of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. and a previous board member of the National Committee for Quality Health Care (NCQHC) and the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NHCL). He also served on the Albion College Board of Trustees, the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Corporate Advisory Board, and the Boards of the Hispanic College Fund and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MD). He is past Chairman of Sodexo Foundation, an Independent Charitable Organization committed to ending Childhood Hunger in America.

A native of Detroit Michigan, He began learning his foundation of business acumen, working in the summers, for his Family owned Wholesale Distribution Company. Mr. Chavel earned his B.A. in Economics and Management from Albion College in Albion MI.