Meet The Team

 

chase kopp, president/chief executive officer (CEO)

Joined the team in: 2021

Jon Pruden, executive chairman / chief strategy officer (CSO)

Joined the team in: 2006

Rob Loomis, VP of Technology & InnovationJoined the team in: 2016 Hometown: Born in Oakland, moved to Portsmouth when I was 7. Two of the greatest cities on Earth. Background: Before joining TFOB, I worked as a junior high school English teacher in Japan, at a couple of manufacturing plants in Mexico, and as a barista in Norfolk. About Me: I live in Portsmouth in a pretty old house with wife Nathalia, daughter Sophia, and recalcitrant Aussie-Doodle Scotch.

Rob Loomis, vp / chief innovation officer (cio)

Joined the team in: 2016

Rob Reper, VP of OperationsJoined the team in: 2015 Hometown: Clinton, NJ Background: I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1998 and started working for Gold Key. During that time, I was an Operating Partner at Rockfish Boardwalk Bar & Seagrille, Pi-zzeria and Tortugas Café & Tiki Bar. I then became the Executive Chef at Mahi Mahs Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Saloon. After Gold Key, I moved to Sysco Foods where I was a Marketing Associate for 4 years and the Corporate Executive Chef for 5 years. About Me: I'm passionate about family, food, hospitality, teamwork, company culture, and being better every day.

Rob Reper, Chief Operating Officer (coo)

Joined the team in: 2015

Hannah Serrano, chief experience officerJoined the team in: 2018 Writer at heart. Community Activist. Beer expert. Boy mom. Founder of AltDaily and co-founder of Norfolk's NEON Arts District. You may recognize her from her time appearing on WVEC Channel 13. There’s more to say, but we’re running out of room. We’re never letting her go.

Hannah Serrano, chief experience officer (cxo)

Joined the team in: 2018

casey harris, director of cuisine operationsJoined the team in: 2021 Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Background: My career in events began in 2005 working for Clark County on their local concert series and music festivals such as Warped Tour and the Renaissance Fair. Having fallen in love with the event industry I took a position at Mandalay Bay as a Catering Manager, taking over their social, corporate and entertainment events. From there my family and I relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area where I started working for the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, as a Senior Meetings and Special Events Manager. It was there where I began to hear from my clients about amazing events they had attended in different San Francisco museums, concert halls, and private estates in wine country. Having piqued my interest I joined the team at Paula LeDuc Fine Catering and Events as a Senior Event Manager where I refined my skills in the art of catering fine dining events at amazing locations and historical venues in the Bay Area. About Me: I was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. I have been married to my husband for 16 years and we have 2 kids and 4 dogs. After living in California for the last 7 years we've relocated east to the Virginia Beach area. I love going to the beach and having fun adventures with my family!

casey harris, director of catering

Joined the team in: 2021

Hannah Morgan, director of culinary

Joined the team in: 2014

elizabeth Hall, Director Of PeopleJoined the team in: 2021 Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA Background: I studied at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, NC where I majored in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management. During my externship at Walt Disney World, I decided I wanted to finish school as quickly as possible and move to Florida to work for Disney full time! I stayed at Disney for 10 years in Food and Beverage. Most recently I worked with Harvest Table Culinary Group at High Point University in North Carolina as the Associate Experience Manager. At High Point I was able to expand my career into Human Resources. I really enjoy working with the people that breathe life into the hospitality industry! About Me: I grew up in Virginia Beach and I have always enjoyed being near any kind of water! When I am not at work, I am most likely with my friends and family. I also enjoy gardening, trying new restaurants, entertaining at my home, spending time with my yellow lab Brody, and taking road trips to explore the area that I live near!

elizabeth Hall, Director Of People

Joined the team in: 2021

Jenni Blythe, E-Commerce & corporate gift SpecialistJoined the team in: 2021 Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA Background: I’ve worked in marketing and e-commerce for 15 years, managing everything from European furniture to luxury watches & sunglasses, but helping people share “the good life” with their loved ones across the country makes me smile every day.  About Me: My husband and I enjoy chasing things in our free time. We chase our dog around the neighborhood, our daughter through the mountains, our son across lacrosse fields, and our dreams as they grow and change every day.

Jenni Blythe, retail director

Joined the team in: 2021

KARLA ZAPPATELLI, gm at taste CITY CENTER

Micheline Dansin Service Award Winner 2015

Joined the team in: 1999

JEN GAUGHAN, SENIOR full service event MANAGER

Joined the team in: 2000

stephanie taylor, specialty catering production manager

Joined the team in: 2002

taylor pruden, gm at taste harbour viewJoined the team in: 2006 Would really like to be outside chasing ducks, deer and turkeys. Spent a year in his early 20s renting jet skis and sail boats in San Diego. Loves any day that involves the beach, his family, and a medium rare filet.

taylor pruden, gm at taste harbour view

Joined the team in: 2006

Tiffany Chase, GM at TASTE GreenbrierJoined the team in: 2007 She stepped into a TASTE store in 2007, was greeted by friendly faces singing along while they worked, and decided she needed to join our team. She’s passionate about Autism Awareness and Human Acceptance. If you need a smile, her nonverbal autistic son, Charlie, might be the sweetest and happiest little boy you will ever meet! Would love to run a 5K, ideally one that’s a little less long.

Tiffany Chase, GM at TASTE Greenbrier

Joined the team in: 2007

mel beckford, catering warehouse manager

Joined the team in: 2007

David Quinn, training manager

Joined the team in: 2010

karen garner, gm at taste hilltopMicheline Dansin Service Award Winner 2019Joined the team in: 2011 Owned her own cafe for 22 years. Tried to get out of the restaurant business but decided she likes it too much. Will actually READ a cookbook. Once played in a national tennis championship - and won.

karen garner, gm at taste hilltop

Micheline Dansin Service Award Winner 2019

Joined the team in: 2011

brandi byer, gm at taste ghent

Joined the team in: 2013

SUSAN KELLY, gm at taste TOWN CENTER

Joined the team in: 2015

Charles Spencer, Warehouse, fulfillment & logistics ManagerMicheline Dansin Service Award Winner 2020Joined the team in: 2016 Hometown: Born in Portsmouth but Norfolk is home Background: I worked for 9 years as a Merchandiser with brokers, Acosta Sales and Marketing & Advantage Solutions. I also worked for Food Lion, remodeling and merchandising stores along the East Coast. About Me: I enjoy being outdoors and going on hikes in the mountains. I love working at TFOB because of the overwhelming sense of companionship, steadfastness, and resilience injected into the way we do things. It’s great knowing that even on your worst days you will always have someone behind you to make an assist.

Charles Spencer, Warehouse & logistics Manager

Micheline Dansin Service Award Winner 2020

Joined the team in: 2016

jordan dennis, GM at taste Pungo

Joined the team in: 2016

AMY WORTHEL, GM at taste WESTHAMPTON

Micheline Dansin Service Award Winner 2024

Joined the team in: 2018

ANISSA VICKERS, specialty CATERING SALES MANAGER

Joined the team in: 2021

Lauren Bittner, full service catering event manager

Joined the team in: 2022

jess berg, gm at taste Bayville Farms

Joined the team in: 2023

Pam Kreutzberg, bakehouse manager

Joined the team in: 2023

liz thames, full service event manager

Joined the team in: 2023

Sarah

Sarah Shaheen, Gm at zinnia cafe & events

Joined the team in: 2023

Dore Campbell, GM at TASTE Oceanfront

Joined the team in: 2024

Jason Sisson, Catering Chef

Joined the team in: 2025