About Us

Julie A. Casey, Founder & Chief Friendly Officer, a.k.a. The Restaurant Mom, has prepared all her life to be a successful entrepreneur. She began developing her leadership skills as the eldest of five children in a family raised by two working parents. As an active participant in supervising her siblings, Casey developed managerial skills that were results oriented and made logical and analytical decisions quickly, while honing her reputation as a “go to” individual. Casey’s creative and productive entrepreneurial skills began at the age of five when she decided selling her artwork would allow her to make daily purchases from the ice cream man.

Although Casey grew up in the Washington D.C. area, she is a graduate of Florida State University. She earned an Associate of Arts in Journalism and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Casey worked in television production during college, spent time in Nashville, TN working with the Country Music Association and traveled to Texas for a stint in minor league baseball.

Having grown up with both parents in the hospitality industry, Casey returned to Florida and naturally joined the industry. She spent several years in hotel sales and marketing, hotel management and the restaurant industry in Orlando. Her skills in detailing and creativity allowed her to assist clients such as the Transportation Security Administration in all phases of refining their travel logistics after September 11.

Her experience in consumer research with Darden Restaurants, Inc. and her own young children provided the impetus to create the concept for MyKidsPlate.com. Recognizing specifically the mortality rate of smaller, non-chain restaurants, Casey put her restaurant, marketing and parenting experience to work. My Kids Plate.com operates on the premise that families determine the definition of kid-friendly, and restaurants should specifically market to the needs and wants of families.  With the term “kid friendly” defined by parents and care givers, My Kids Plate.com can educate restaurateurs in simple, cost-effective ways to become more kid-friendly to grow a loyal market base that will stay with them for generations.

 

Victoria “Vicky” Dunn, kid quality assurance officer for MyKidsPlate.com, has more than twenty-five years of experience in the hospitality industry including all facets of the hotel business.

Dunn began her career as an elementary and middle school teacher in the Midwest. Her young family relocated to the Washington D.C. area, where she became a national account director for Holiday Inn Hotels. While living in the D.C. area, Dunn participated in founding the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP), a national organization of people who plan government meetings and the individuals who supply services to them. While living in Virginia and expecting her fourth child, Dunn received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from George Mason University.

Through her extensive national network, Dunn has always had opportunities to be on the cutting edge of development of new strategies and projects while raising her five children. She has represented Choice Hotels International and Holiday Inns Corporate to their franchisees throughout Florida, in sales, marketing and revenue management. Her individual hotel experience includes Crowne Plaza, Doubletree and Holiday Inns. Dunn has been a national speaker for numerous hospitality organizations and has created guest services training programs, which have been implemented by a variety of hotel properties from limited service to the Nickelodeon Hotel in Orlando, FL. She has created and facilitated corporate management team training including a national sales training course called “The Most Neglected Skills.”As the kid quality assurance officer, she will do training and marketing for MyKidsPlate.com. Dunn resides in Satellite Beach, Florida.

 

 

 

Barbara Gobbi                            , Director of Business Development

Barbara is a mom of 4 kids ranging in age from 1 to 19. After spending 15 years in the hotel industry, Barbara retired to spend more time with her growing family. She moved to South Florida with her husband 5 years ago and loves spending quality time with her family and two dogs going to the park or the beach. Her hobbies include cooking and baking, trying to find new ways to get her kids to eat their veggies! Because her family goes out to eat 4-5 times a week, she is passionate about ensuring restaurants are kid-friendly so she doesn’t feel guilty about bringing the Gobbi clan along and making sure that the entire family has an enjoyable dining experience!

What does Barbara bring to “the plate?” Her energy, creativity, and experience of trying to eat out with so many kids!

 

 

 

 

 

Beth Seal, West Coast Business Development Manager

Transplanted from Pittsburgh, PA to St. Petersburg, FL, as a young adult, Beth  found home in Huntington Beach, CA.  She returned to FL so that her husband could launch rockets.  It was in Cocoa Beach where she had the privilege of working for Julie’s mom, Vicky Dunn!  Enduring three hurricanes in a month and a half, and with baby on the way, she was anxious to return to her family in Southern California.

Before becoming a full time mom, she spent eighteen years as a professional travel consultant, and two and a half years in a hotel sales department.  In addition, Beth held several part time positions as hostess, waitress, bartender, banquet server, and deck hand, in a broad spectrum of establishments including a local pub, small café, family and fine dining restaurants, and a dining cruise.

Now, as a stay at home mom of one very active four year old, Beth started searching to redefine her identity in the work force, without sacrificing her family. Thanks to MKP and KEFC, she thinks she’s  found it!

What does Beth bring to “the plate?” Her hunger for knowledge and pure excitement for the brand of MKP!

 

Gina Urso                              , Midwest Business Development Manager

Gina has been enjoying the past 2 years as a stay-at-home mom to her adorable 7 year old daughter, Rosella. Before that she was an Administrative Assistant for a computer company. She was handled every aspect of the running the office from customer service to payroll and expenses. Her office manager experience at an enterainment vending company will come in handy at MKP. You know those crane games with stuffed animlas and the like? It’s just what we were looking for when we found Gina. She also graciously volunteers some of her free time at her daughter’s school 3 times a month and is on the PTA for a second year.  Gina’s  hobbies are reading, watching movies, and being “mommy chauffeur” for her daughter’s many extra-curricular activities.

What does Gina bring to “the plate?” Her never-give-up attitude and her contagious energy!

 

 

 

Lane Sutton, Kid-Friendly Restaurant Critic

Lane Sutton is 12 years old and is exploring New England restaurant nooks, things to do, happenings, flicks and fun! He loves to write and reviews all of his searches of new exciting things in town and around. Check Kid Critic out at www.KidCriticUSA.com. He is a good contributor of restaurant nominations to MyKidsPlate and we are happy to have him on board!

What does Lane bring to “the plate?” Aside from his age (he is a kid, afterall!) he is a prolific writer for someone of his age and brings the kids’ perspective of dining out.

 

 

 

Penney Fox        , Media Buyer and Social Marketing Expert

Penny has been working with media companies for over 25 years. Her experience focuses on “promotional selling techniques” which has allowed her to bring clients more ‘bang for the buck’ with her media plans. Penney will act as a personal negotiator for MKP clients, looking for the best deals by knowing the true value of the media, both in the marketplace and according to the restaurant’s goals. Penney believes that in order to strengthen your relationship with your customers, your restaurant brand must be consistently communicated and integrated in the marketplace to achieve this result. Penney’s Social Media services include managing a restaurant’s social media program, and working with a restaurant’s marketing point person to set up socal media strategies. She can write focused communication strategies and customer loyalty programs, and coordinate concepts and campaigns including media buys.

Penney is a busy mom of a young boy. What does Penney bring to “the plate?” Her expertise in media avenues as it relates to the decision maker – women!