California Restaurant Association Names Ray Villaman Chair of State Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 02, 2026
Contact: Haiden Emmett | 916.431.2729 | hemmett@calrest.org
(September 02, 2026) SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Restaurant Association (CRA) announces that, effective September 1, 2026, Ray Villaman, Chairman of Tahoe Restaurant Group ESOP OC Inc., will serve as Chair of the CRA State Board of Directors.
Villaman is a veteran restaurant executive, entrepreneur, investor, and hospitality tech advisor with over 30 years of operations and leadership experience. He currently advises for emerging technology companies shaping the industry’s future.
“I am honored to serve as Chair of the California Restaurant Association and to work alongside restaurant leaders from across the state,” said Villaman. “California’s restaurant industry continues to evolve, and CRA plays a critical role in making sure operators have a strong voice, the right resources, and an organization that is constantly looking ahead. I look forward to building on that work and helping ensure CRA continues to meet the needs of our industry.”
Villaman built and led Tahoe Restaurant Group, which includes Base Camp Pizza, and guided the company through its transition to employee ownership in April 2025. He remains Chairman of Tahoe Restaurant Group ESOP OC Inc.
Villaman collaborates with founders, boards, investors, and private equity firms in hospitality, artificial intelligence, enterprise software, and restaurant technology. He focuses on identifying and scaling technologies that improve restaurant operations, guest experience, labor productivity, revenue growth, and profitability.
“Ray brings an incredible combination of restaurant operating experience, strategic thinking and a genuine passion for where our industry is headed,” said Jot Condie, CRA President + CEO. “His understanding of technology and innovation will be an asset as we continue to strengthen the resources that CRA provides California restaurants. Just as importantly, Ray is willing to ask the hard questions when needed and challenge us to think differently. I’m excited to work with him as we continue building an association prepared to support this industry well into the future.”
Villaman has held leadership roles at California Pizza Kitchen, Boston Market, and World Wrapps, overseeing over 200 restaurant openings and strategic growth initiatives. Based in Lake Tahoe, he is active in his local community and supports several nonprofit organizations.
Villaman succeeds outgoing CRA State Board Chair Fred Glick, whose term concluded August 31. Serving as Board leaders alongside Villaman will be Vice Chair Joseph Pitruzzelli and Second Vice Chair Mike Morton.
![CRA State Board Chair Fred Glick [right] handing off the gavel to incoming CRA State Board Chair Ray Villaman [left] at the August 2026 CRA Board Meeting.](/sites/main/files/imagecache/lightbox/main-images/159a2003.png "CRA State Board Chair Fred Glick [right] handing off the gavel to incoming CRA State Board Chair Ray Villaman [left] at the August 2026 CRA Board Meeting.")
![[left to right] Fred Glick, Ray Villaman and Joseph Pitruzzelli together at the August 2026 CRA Board Meeting.](/sites/main/files/imagecache/lightbox/main-images/159a2043.png "[left to right] Fred Glick, Ray Villaman and Joseph Pitruzzelli together at the August 2026 CRA Board Meeting.")
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About the California Restaurant Association: The CRA provides comprehensive access to the resources and support that neighborhood restaurants need to thrive while serving as conscientious, contributing members of an unparalleled industry. California is home to eating and drinking places that ring up more than $220 billion in sales and employ nearly 1.8 million workers, making restaurants an indisputable driving force in the state’s economy.