As founder and president of Strategic Hospitality Search, Joseph D'Alessandro recruits senior-level staff for leading hotels, resorts, restaurants and food service institutions across the nation.

With an extensive and constantly growing network, Joseph has successfully managed and completed hundreds of hospitality assignments. He has particular expertise in high volume restaurant operations, foodservice, sports entertainment, catering and culinary operations.

Joseph serves on advisory boards for American Culinary Federation Windy City Professional Culinarians and routinely advises culinary and hospitality students on career growth and proper business communication. He also serves on corporation and trade organization boards, is an active member of many hospitality-related, hospitality-supporting, and charity-supporting organizations and clubs, and he has received numerous awards.

Some accolades include the 2010 Outstanding Business Partner Award, Technology Center of DuPage; 2009 President’s Award, ACF Windy City Chapter; 2007 Associate Member of the Year, ACF Windy City Chapter; serving the International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA); the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA); the Research Chefs Association (RCA) and the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFE).

Joseph spent 15 years in operations working as a chef, corporate chef, general manager and chef-proprietor before becoming a recruiter in 2000. He studied economics and English literature at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Together with his bride Cathleen, a K-8 teacher, they are raising four fantastic kids – Joey III, Patrick, Maggie and Becca.