The board of directors of White Castle System, Inc. has promoted Lisa Ingram to president of the Columbus-based company. In her new role, Ingram will oversee all divisions of the company, including frozen food, Porcelain Steel Buildings (PSB) and the iconic restaurant chain.
Lisa Ingram is the great-granddaughter of founder Billy Ingram and daughter of current chairman and CEO Bill Ingram. She is stepping into her father's role as president of the company. Bill Ingram will continue to serve as CEO and chairman of the board of White Castle, a role he has held since 1992.
"I've been fortunate to work as part of a fourth generation family business," said Lisa Ingram, president of White Castle, in a prepared statement. "All of the third generation family members have served as mentors and helped me appreciate what we mean to craving customers and our aspirations for the future of this great company. I'm fortunate to be surrounded by excellent leaders who will support our efforts to overcome challenges in growing our family business into the second centennial."
For the last three years, Ingram has served as the chief operating officer and president of the restaurant division with responsibilities including profit and loss management, site development and acquisition, as well as overseeing strategies for restaurant development and marketing.
"Lisa is a highly respected business leader, who has gained the experience necessary to guide the company into future growth," said Bill Ingram, CEO and chairman of the board. "She's committed to growing the family business while adhering to the values that have guided White Castle since opening our first restaurant in 1921."
Ingram worked for White Castle as an Upper Arlington high school student. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing and finance from Southern Methodist University in 1993. Lisa worked in sales and marketing in the technology industry in Texas before returning to White Castle in 1997 as regional marketing manager. She went on to earn an MBA in Consulting and Operations from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University in 2000. Then Ingram returned to White Castle in 2000 as director of restaurant operations.
Currently, Ingram serves on the boards of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, Action for Children and National Restaurant Association. Lisa lives in Upper Arlington with her husband Greg Guy and their four children.
Family members have run White Castle since its inception in 1921. Founder Billy Ingram ran White Castle until 1966, when his son Edgar Ingram took over as president. Edgar served in that role until his son, Bill Ingram, became president in 1980. White Castle System, Inc. is owned by the Ingram family and remains a privately held business. White Castle owns and operates more than 400 restaurants in 12 states. The company's commitment to quality extends to owning and operating three meat-processing plants and two bakeries to serve its restaurants with a consistent product that customers have come to expect from White Castle.
"By visiting with our team members and listening to their experiences, we'll continue to find ways to connect with our customers and make memorable moments every day as White Castle feeds the souls of Craver generations everywhere for years to come," said Lisa Ingram.
