September 26, 2005

Max & Erma's promoted Rob Lindeman to president. In addition, the company named Jim Howenstein chief operations officer and Mary Hamill vice president of human resources and information technology. The promotions of the three long-time employees are effective Oct. 31.

A Dayton, Ohio, native, Lindeman has been with Max & Erma's since 1990 when he joined the company as a waiter and bartender. He worked his way up to assistant manager, general manager and regional manager before being promoted to vice president of franchising in 1998. In 2003, he was named executive vice president and chief development officer. As president, Lindeman's responsibilities will include oversight of all departments but finance. Those will include his current responsibilities of development, franchising and marketing.

Howenstein joined Max & Erma's in 1990 as a waiter and went on to serve as an assistant manager, general manager and regional manager. He was promoted to regional vice president in May 2002. In November 2003, he was promoted to vice president of operations.

A Max & Erma’s employee since 1986, Hamill started as a server in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to the corporate headquarters in 1995 to head the company's software training program. She was named director of training in 1996 and added human resources to her responsibilities in 2003.

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