Johnny Carrabba

Founder

Proudly born and raised in the East End of Houston, Texas, Johnny Carrabba III was raised in his parent’s family-owned grocery store, Carrabba’s Friendly Grocery, and attended St. Thomas High School. In 1986, Johnny opened The Original Carrabba’s on Kirby Drive. The second location on South Voss Road opened its doors in 1988. In 1993, Outback Steakhouse created a joint venture partnership consequently opening over 250 Carrabba’s Italian Grill Restaurants nationwide. Johnny and his family continue to own and operate the two original Carrabba’s locations. In 2012, the family’s new fast-casual concept, Mia’s Table, opened one block behind the Original Carrabba’s on Kirby. In 2014, Grace’s, affectionately named after Johnny’s grandmother, Grace Mandola, opened its doors forging the fourth family-owned and operated restaurant for the Carrabba family. Mia’s Table continues to grow with five additional locations as well as the original in Upper Kirby. Mia’s proudly serves in the greater Houston area including Shenandoah, Webster, Katy, Memorial City, and Cypress. Johnny is a philanthropist at heart and gives back to the community through many venues and charities, especially those benefiting children.

Rafael Morales

Rafael Morales

Executive Chef

Family Since 1987

Rafael Morales has a special place in the heart of the Carrabba Family. He began his career at Carrabba’s on Kirby in 1987, first working in the pizza station then slowly making his way through the other stations in the kitchen.

One day in 1989 or so, after seeing a lot of turnover in the kitchen, Johnny Carrabba called him into the office. “How much do you make?” he asked. Raffy responded, “$4.75 an hour.” Johnny said, “You’re going to start making $6.75. Now you’re a kitchen manager. One day, you’re going to make $20 an hour with me.”

Rafael has been leading the kitchens in the Carrabba Family for many years and played a crucial role in developing menu items for Mia’s Table and Grace’s on Kirby. He is also deeply involved in creating new dining offerings and specials, all the while making sure the entire back-of-the-house team is following and executing recipes to the highest standard.

Rafael hails from Puebla, Mexico, and came to the United States in 1983. He and his wife have two sons, one of whom – no surprise – is an up-and-coming chef in the Carrabba Family.

Rafael likes to watch telenovelas and drink coffee. But mostly in his free time, he likes to work out in the gym to keep slim and trim – which can be tough for someone whose job includes more than a few food tastings.

Deanna "Dee" Davis

Deanna "Dee" Davis

Chief Financial Officer

Family Since 1988

Dee Davis oversees the accounting team, prepares financials, handles taxes matters – and a whole lot more. But her history with the Carrabba Family runs deeper. She was hired as an accountant in 1988, though she’s pretty much done it all.

Dee has aided in the company’s growth at every turn: First, with the two Original Carrabba’s locations; then a joint venture partnership with Outback Steakhouse; then Carrabba’s Italian Grill nationwide; then the opening of Mia’s Table and Grace’s. Dee has been a personal assistant, mentor to many, and basically the keeper of all company facts.

An East Coast girl from Marlborough, Massachusetts, she moved to the warmer climate of Houston in 1984. Dee graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s in sociology and from the University of Houston in accounting.

Dee is an avid gym goer, cyclist, and world traveler, and is always on the lookout for an excellent book to read or a stage play to see. She has participated in the MS150; volunteers for Camp For All, which supports people with special needs; and is the first – and only – female board member of The Downtown Club.

She and her husband have two sons.

Angie Bennett

Angie Bennett

Director of Human Resources

Family Since 1990

Angie Bennett was basically raised in this company and created a path for herself, starting as one of the first female servers at the Original Carrabba’s on Kirby. Twenty-five years later, she is the Carrabba Family’s first-ever Director of Human Resources. Besides screening and processing employees, Angie is responsible for employee benefits, relations, and training, and spearheads the charitable contributions aspect of the company.

She was born in Peoria, Illinois and earned her Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Texas A&M University. As you might expect from someone who worked her way up, Angie has remained focused on improving her skills, serving as a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, a Notary, and a Proctor for Serv Safe Exams required in Texas. She has also dabbled in culinary classes.

A self-described “dabbler” in culinary classes, she has a busy personal life with her family and two teen boys. She also volunteers with the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Second Baptist Church, and in the local schools where her children attend. And if you ever see her around Houston, it’s probably on a bicycle.

Rommel Quarterman

Rommel Quarterman

Vice President of Operations

Family Since 1997

Rommel Quarterman has been leading the successful team of the Original Carrabba’s since 2001. His strong work ethic and leadership skills have kept the restaurant going strong, with consistent continued growth year after year.

Rommel coordinates the training of his management team and their continuing education within the restaurant and is well respected and a mentor to many staff members. He runs a tight ship…and he sure knows how to throw a party.

He’s come to us from Savannah, Georgia, where he attended Benedictine Military School and Morehouse College, before moving to Houston with his wife. One day, on a whim, he applied at the Carrabba’s on Kirby to be a server. Little did he know how much impact he’d have on his staff and guests over the next 20-plus years.

Rommel is married and loves spending time with and watching his talented daughter dance. Outside of his job and family, you can find him working out, boxing, and traveling. He’s also a volunteer with Pro-Vision, an outreach program created to inspire hope and purpose into young people through access to academic, economic, and social enrichment opportunities.

Hieu Nguyen

Hieu Nguyen

President

Family Since 1998

Nicknamed “The Oracle” and “Zen Master,” Hieu Nguyen has been Johnny Carrabba’s right- hand man and leader of the company since the early 2000s. He is self-taught, knows more about the company than almost anyone, and is highly invested in the operations side of the business.

Responsible for everything from food to service and property management, Hieu is the kind of boss who makes people want to work hard while enjoying their jobs. He is the liaison between Johnny Carrabba and the company leadership and plays a critical role in building and preserving the strong culture that defines the Carrabba Family.

Hieu is originally from Vietnam but grew up in San Antonio when his family immigrated to the United States in the mid-1970s. He graduated from Trinity University, where he studied religion and international studies.

Hieu has two daughters, and he and the family enjoy camping together and vacationing in nature-filled areas. In his down time, he can be found reading cookbooks and indulging in the occasional late-night Taco Bell.

Stephen Barclay

Stephen Barclay

Managing Partner, Carrabba’s on Voss

Family Since 1998

Stephen Barclay is the balance to the busy commotion of the Carrabba’s Voss location. He has led the team, many of whom have been with him for 15 or more years. He works alongside the matriarch of the company, Rosie Carrabba; you might say they’re each other’s yin and yang.

Stephen oversees a management team that has come up entirely from within the company, and he’s been responsibly training them to be the growing leaders they are today.

He’s from Lake Jackson, Texas, and has lived in Houston for 24 years. Like so many of us at the company, he grew up from within – first as a bartender at Carrabba’s on Kirby and then as a manager at the Voss location, where he is now a fixture.

Stephen is married and has a daughter in high school. He enjoys reading and collecting comics.

Andrea Baltazar

Andrea Baltazar

Internal Communications Director

Family Since 2006

As the first Communications Director of the Carrabba Family of Restaurants, Andrea Baltazar is responsible for getting relevant information to our internal audiences. She is bilingual and serves as the company translator.

She started out working as a host at the Carrabba’s on Voss as a 19-year-old. Her potential was hard to miss, as she took on leadership willingly and eagerly. She was a Head-Host for many years and held the same title at both Carrabba’s on Kirby and Grace’s.

As she grew in the company, she rose to the position of executive assistant in the corporate office before assuming her current role shortly thereafter. In addition to her communications duties, Andrea also coordinates property maintenance, helps in the procurement process, and assists the President of the company.

Andrea attended the University of St. Thomas and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. She is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators; loves being a part of the Houston new restaurant scene; and actively participates in the local arts and entertainment community. A museum enthusiast, Andrea can also be seen frequenting live music concerts.

She is a native Houstonian, a first generation Mexican-American, and spirited cat-lover.

Kristi Becker

Kristi Becker

Assistant to the Founder

Family Since 2007

Kristi has been like family to us. In 2007, she took on the tremendous responsibility of being Johnny Carrabba’s assistant – a job with many duties, not the least of which is keeping the Carrabba household on track all the time.

Kristi is from Fort Worth, Texas, but grew up in the Cypress area. She is close with her family – especially her sisters -- and has a teen daughter who keeps her busy. An avid equestrian and all-embracing animal lover. Kristi can often be found on her sister’s farm – or laughing with friends over a margarita.

Britney Crappell

Britney Crappell

Payroll Specialist

 

Johnny Carrabba IV

Johnny Carrabba IV