Meet our Team
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Sofia Riley
PRESIDENT / FOUNDER
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Cauliflower Fried Rice and The Stripe Salad…. Yum!!
FAVORITE DRINK:
The Jamaican Mule
Sofia was raised in a family of restaurateurs. Her father was a formally trained chef who experienced much success in the restaurant business. Sofia knew she wanted to work with food, specifically by taking it to the next level from a creative and aesthetic standpoint. After graduating from California State University Long Beach and UCLA, Sofia launched THANK GOODNESS IT’S SOFIA in 1989. For ten years she successfully balanced the difficult responsibilities of building a business and raising a family. In 1999, as TGIS was growing at a rapid pace, Sofia decided to invite her brother, George, to partner with her. Sofia has been married to husband Jim for twenty-five years and is mother to Elizabeth and Dean. She continues to use many of her talents in working with many charities helping to fight cancer and child abuse. In 2004, she was nominated for Orange County Business Journal “Woman of the Year.”
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George Marinos
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Caramelized Tomato Braised Lamb Shoulder – YUM!
FAVORITE DRINK:
Dirty Gin Martini with Blue Cheese Olives
George has a passion for food that was cultivated during a childhood spent working in the kitchen of his father’s restaurants. After high school, George attended the University of Southern California and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He decided to leave the family business though, and promptly landed a job as an accountant at the prestigious firm, BDO Seidman. After a few years at BDO, George moved on to work in the film industry, first at Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) and later as a film producer at Shoreline Entertainment. Despite some success in Hollywood, George always felt a longing to return to what he truly loved: food. So, when Sofia approached him with the idea of joining her in the catering business, he seized the opportunity. George’s background in filmmaking enables him to bring a unique visual flair and elegance to every TGIS event. He still tries to spend as much time in the kitchen as possible, whether it’s preparing meals for his wife and children or overseeing the catering for a wedding reception.
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Jeremy Smith
DIRECTOR OF SALES
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Tomahawk Pork Chop
FAVORITE DRINK:
Smokey Paloma
jsmith@yongyan.net
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Mark Rivera
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
THE CENTRE & THE MAYNE
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Grilled Lamb Chop
FAVORITE DRINK:
Old Fashioned
mrivera@yongyan.net
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Monica Sajor
EVENT MANAGER
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Tuna Tartare Taco
FAVORITE DRINK:
Passion Fruit Sunrise
msajor@yongyan.net
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Staci Collins
EVENT MANAGER
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Spicy Bulgogi Beef with Sweet Potato Garlic Noodle
FAVORITE DRINK:
Cucumber Martini
scollins@yongyan.net
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Drew Fremont
EVENT MANAGER
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Caramelized Pork Bahn Mi Eggroll
FAVORITE DRINK:
TGIS Old Fashioned
dfremont@yongyan.net
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Yessel Osorio
EVENT MANAGER
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Mushroom Truffle Flatbread
FAVORITE DRINK:
PERFECT Spicy Margarita
yosorio@yongyan.net
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Kaitlyn Garcia
EVENT MANAGER &
MARKETING MANAGER
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Micro Birria Tacos
FAVORITE DRINK:
Tequila Mule
kgarcia@yongyan.net
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Anastasia Dimitropoulos
JR SALES EVENT MANGER
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Claudia Munoz
ACCOUNTING MANAGER/ HR
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Nashville Hot Chicken Slider
FAVORITE DRINK:
Mint Mojito
accounting@yongyan.net
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Stephanie Gonzalez
STAFFING MANAGER
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Sweet Potato Garlic Noodles
FAVORITE DRINK:
Paloma
staffing@yongyan.net
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Kevin Meyer
EXECUTIVE CHEF
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Chicken Balsamico
FAVORITE DRINK:
Moscow Mule
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Patty Rios
SOUS CHEF
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Black Bean Empanada
FAVORITE DRINK:
Margarita
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Luis Perez
JR SOUS CHEF
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Lalo Andrade
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
FAVORITE TGIS DISH:
Truffle Glazed Salmon With Creamy Risotto
FAVORITE DRINK:
Moscow Mule
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Yuri Guevara
ASSISTANT WAREHOUSE MANAGER