CEO speaker series features Patel, Dieter on Wednesday

photo Vision President and CEO Mitch Patel

Vision Hospitality Group President Mitch Patel and Krystal Co.'s top risk manager, Scott Dieter, will share their business views and experience from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at this month's CEO speaker series, "The Talk of the Town," at the Doubletree Hotel downtown at 407 Chestnut Street.

Sponsored by Cohutta Banking Company, a division of Synovus' Bank, Chattanooga State President James L. Catanzaro will preside over the event, which will include speeches and a Q&A with the two leaders.

• Patel founded Vision Hospitality Group in 1997 when he developed his first property, the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Chattanooga. Patel has since expanded Vision's portfolio to include 29 hotels under brands such as Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Corporation and InterContinental Hotels Group. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, earning both his Master's and Bachelor's degrees in civil engineering.

• Dieter is the director of risk management for The Krystal Co., which has more than 6,000 employees and 220 restaurants throughout the Southeast. During seven years with Krystal, Dieter has implemented a successful new video audit program, reduced overall workers compensation and general liability claims, and helped defend Krystal in numerous premise liability lawsuits. Dieter earned a Master's degree in criminal justice from UTC and a Bachelor's degree from UTK in physical anthropology. He was with the Chattanooga police department for eight years as a civilian employee and oversaw their risk management program while assisting the fraud division with investigating white-collar crimes.

The event is a cooperative effort between the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, The Company Lab, Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Incubator and the Small Business Administration. Seating to this event is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. RSVP by calling 423-756-8668.

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