Grow Forward Solutions, LLC
Regional Developer for Virginia, North Carolina, Washington DC, Maryland, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah
George and Sue met in college and have been married for, well, a long time. They have 2 adult children, Erin and Christian, and 4 grand-kids (Sue calls it the “best promotion ever”). The Wooten family has moved all over the world, literally, relocating for George’s career more than 15 times from south Florida to northern New Hampshire, west to Colorado and California, several places in between and even to the Middle East for a few years. This great partnership in life has led Sue and George to their Patrice & Associates business partnership, which only makes sense, at least to them.
Sue started working in restaurants as a server while in college and was a manager at Pizza Hut when Christian was born. Sue says she feels blessed to have been able to stay home with the kids for several years after Christian was born, but did not hesitate to jump back into the restaurant business when the opportunity presented itself. Sue bought an iconic 60-year old diner in a very small town in very northern New Hampshire. She quite literally ran the restaurant (cook, cashier, server and manger) and more than doubled sales in only a year. The family was then presented with another opportunity by George’s company to once again relocate for a promotion. Sue was prepared; she had recruited and trained someone to take over the restaurant and the right person who would ultimately buy it, which she did. Sue knows the restaurant world from bottom to top, literally, and she has an amazing ability to build incredible relationships in a very short time; she loves nothing more than helping others realize their goals and reach for their dreams.
George has almost 40 years of experience in the Hospitality/ Restaurant/ Retail business. He started out working on the grill at Wendy’s when he was 17 to pay his way through school. After 4 years there and 4 years of college, he left school and took a job as an Assistant Manager Trainee with Burger King Corp. with every intention of going back to school… Promotions came quickly, and school kept getting pushed off. Over the next 30+ years, George worked his way up from Assistant Manager to General Manager to District Manager, to Training Manager/ Director, Regional Director, VP, SVP and ultimately COO. He feels privileged to have had the opportunity to serve in senior executive leadership roles with several large and even iconic US companies generating annual revenue ranging from $100 Million to $44 Billion. He and Sue also had the opportunity to spend 2 years living and working in the Middle East where he served as Head of Restaurants for the largest retailer in MENA who gave him the amazing opportunity to work with and bring major US and European brands to the region. George never gave up on his education, even though he had achieved much success in his career and was a Senior VP with a $44 Billion company, he went back to school and finally got his Bachelor’s Degree in Management in 2009 and then spent the next 5 years working on his MBA which he was finally awarded in 2014!
Meet the Grow Forward Solutions – P&A Team
While Grow Forward Solutions – Patrice & Associates recruits well beyond just the hospitality industry, Sue and George will always have a passion for the people who own, operate and work in restaurants, bars, casinos, hotels, conference centers, supermarkets and other food focused retail/ hospitality businesses. The GFS Recruiting Team is comprised of Certified Hospitality Recruiters (CHR), most of whom come from the Hospitality/ Restaurant industry and have decades of experience ranging from Manager to Multi-Unit Manager to Director, VP, and even C-Level executives – the GFS Team knows what Clients need and what they want, as well as what each candidate is searching for in their career. This level of expertise combined with The Patrice Way allows the Team to find the BEST MATCH for each and every position!
The Certified Hospitality Recruiters at GFS are supported by our Recruiting Support Specialists (RSS) who broaden our search capabilities and dramatically reduce the time to hire by focusing 100% of their time supporting our sourcing and research efforts. Our RSS leverage all resources and platforms to provide our Recruiters and Clients more of the best Candidates FASTER.
Our Approach
With George and Sue, you get two people who really understand the business from C-Suite to floor-sweep and everything in between. You also get true partners who understand the value of relationships and commitment and that is what you will see from every member of the team. George and Sue can relate to both Client companies and Candidates and they know what makes a perfect match; that’s the key – “MATCH”. George’s long history of successfully leading teams and developing people adds the third dimension, the ability to support and help franchisees in the region succeed. George’s approach has always put people first and he has long proven that by focusing on the right people, with the right ability, in the right place, at the right time both the individual and the company will succeed and grow together. This is our approach as a team and it is evident in our company name – GROW FORWARD SOLUTIONS.
Whether you are a Client, a Candidate or a Franchisee, George, Sue and their phenomenal team of Certified Hospitality Recruiting professionals can and will help you realize your goals and help you GROW FORWARD!!
Work with us, and you get your own executive search team that understands the importance of goals, vision, needs, fit, and all the intangibles that go into a GREAT executive search match. Executives, gain exclusive access to top companies. Employers and search committees, experience our collaborative approach to discovering exactly the kind of person you’re seeking. That way, Patrice & Associates Pros can effectively identify, recruit and vet the right candidates.
We can’t wait to talk with you! Let our connections be your connections in your area and across North America. Job seekers, Patrice & Associates can find you your next great career move even if you want to move to another city or state.
Employers, let us find you your next great hire! Even if your search is for multiple positions, in multiple cities. One call to this local office and you’re on your way. All without the hassle of managing multiple recruiters or territory restrictions.
Why wait? Get the resources of our national network when you call your local office. We’re ready! Are you?
Chris Bousquet helped me every step of the way!
He’s been very supportive and understanding.I was contacted via LinkedIn by Chris, He took the time to understand my skills and experience. He was also very honest about the job. He is a true professional, and is dedicated to helping his clients find the perfect job!Now I’m about to start a new journey and thanks to Chris for all his hard work.
Many Thanks,
Christine
It was a delight to work with Corina!
From the first phone call through the final acceptance offer Corina was a delight to work with.She offered helpful tips along the way and made the process professional and very easy.It was a delight to work with Corina!Thank you!Mary
Helen Nourai's expertise and professionalism was impeccable!
I would love to share my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to work with, the one and only, Ms. Helen Nourai. During our discussion, I found our conversation to be insightful and impactful. I literally was taking notes as she and I were talking. She was thorough in her assessment of me and my endeavors, Helen Nourai's expertise and professionalism was impeccable; it was clear to me that she was a veteran at the services she provided.Although Helen was a recruiter; I felt that she ALSO was an advocate for me, as well. It was truly a pleasure and a vibe to have an encounter with her. Words cannot express my gratitude for meeting her. I truly believe that she was God sent to me. Everything I expressed to her that I was looking for, she delivered, and more. I firmly believe that I have this opportunity because of her diligence.Thank You,Destiny W.
I am really happy with all of Alex Pomponio's assistance during my process
I admire her hard work on every step and each detail. She is an incredible recruiter and with her guidance and follow up after the interview, it made me feel so secure! Working with Alex has been an awesome opportunity!!!
I am really happy with the end results, getting hired!
Andrés M.
Hez Butler was truly amazing and wonderful in assisting me with my job search
I cannot speak highly enough about the outstanding service provided by Hez Butler and the team at Patrice & Associates. His dedication, professionalism, and genuine care made all the difference in finding a career that will help me provide a better life for my son and me.
Hez's ability to understand my needs and match me with the right opportunity was remarkable. His guidance and support throughout the process were invaluable, and his commitment to excellence is evident in every interaction. There isn't a better person for the role he plays in helping change people's lives. I wholeheartedly recommend Hez Butler and Patrice & Associates to anyone seeking a career change.Thank you once again for your incredible support.
Best regards,
John
