MILAN PATEL, CEO
Milan is owner/operator of OHM CONCESSION GROUP, LLC. He began his airport experience in 1998 by building, opening and operating a Great American Bagel franchise in the newly built East Terminal of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Since then, Milan has built and operates a second Great American Bagel store, Carvel Ice Cream /Vienna Beef store, and a Pasta House full service restaurant and bar. These three stores are located in the Main Terminal near baggage claim. Most recently, Milan acquired two T.C.B.Y. stores. The East Terminal T.C.B.Y. will become a Dunkin Donut / Baskin Robin store and the C Concourse T.C.B.Y. will be converted to a concept not yet chosen. Milan opened his second Dunkin Donuts location on the A Concourse, also. All three concepts are in development and are expected to be open first quarter 2010. Milan also operates Airport Vending, LLC which supplies snacks and beverages throughout the airport complex. Milan has expanded his business this year to another city…Baltimore, Maryland. He will be opening two Dunkin Donut stores at B.W.I. in 2010. One will be pre security at C Concourse and the second store will be on the D Concourse.
Milan manages the day-to-day operations, franchise agreements, is Brand Certified in every Brand he represents, manages airport and city compliance, and conformity processes for all branded concepts. He stays involved in the current airport expansion by attending meetings, catering business-meeting functions and participating in all customer driven programs.
Milan has received a number of customer service awards from the St. Louis airport Director and Properties Department and was recently recognized by the Airport Minority Advisory Council. An award Milan is most proud of is that of which he received from the St. Louis Special School District for organizing and sponsoring a school work program for students with disabilities. Milan has made permanent job offers to several graduating students. As a result of Milan’s exemplary performance, he was the successful bidder and was awarded the contract to operate the concessions at the new Gateway Transportation Center in 2008. Milan opened the center in April 2009 with YUM’s KFC and Pizza Hut, a Retail Center and Deli Enterprise’s branded deli concept “Arch City Deli.” In November 2009, Milan was the successful bidder and awarded the contract to operate the concessions at St. Louis City Hall. Development is under way for this acquisition.
Milan is ACDBE certified by the United States Department of Transportation and is a member of AMAC and ARN. The Ohm Concession Group is a minority ACDBE certified.
CYNTHIA L. LYNCH, President
Cindy has been the Vice President of OHM GROUP, Inc for four years and has brought 30 years of hospitality development and management experience with her. Cindy retired from HMSHost in 2004 after 25 years of service.
Cindy began her hospitality career at Lambert International Airport in 1979 and climbed the ladder of success becoming the General Manager of a $40+ million dollar operation. Cindy also managed the process of concept development and project management for the master concession plan. She was the franchise liaison for brands such as Cheers, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Chili’s Too and many more. Prior to her retirement, Cindy spent over a year assisting a corporate team of 12 people in the development and training of an enterprise based Food Management Software solution that produced theoretical food cost, inventory controls, storage and selection assistance, purchase order and reconciliation attributes for Airport and Toll Road Food and Beverage Operations. These operations had a scope of more than $2 Billion, 280 branded concepts, and over 70,000 recipes in which the data was managed and financially translated to enable actionable results.
Cindy directs and oversees the day-to-day operations of all of our businesses, spearheads our planning and development, new acquisitions, negotiations, contract and construction management and liaison with community and regulatory agencies. Cindy holds a Commercial Real Estate License and manages our commercial lease agreements and land acquisitions.
Cindy has won numerous awards throughout her career and is involved in a variety of community organizations.
MARIA PATEL, G.M of Main Terminal
Maria is the General Manager of the Main Terminal businesses at Lambert International Airport. She has over ten years of hospitality experience under her belt and is an excellent asset to our team.
Maria’s previous experience as a Paralegal comes to order in the day to day activities of training and managing her team of players. Maria was honored with an award for providing training and a working environment for young adults with disabilities. Maria and her team have also been recognized on multiple occasions for their excellent customer service and attention to detail.
Maria is Brand and Serv Safe Certified in all the franchises that she manages. Stop by any of our Main Terminal facilities and ask for “Maria”. She will be excited to meet you, and delighted for the opportunity to serve you.
KAJAL PATEL, G.M of East Terminal
Kajal is the General Manager of the East Terminal businesses at Lambert International Airport. Kajal has over twelve years of airport concession and independent franchise experience bridging both food service and retail operations. Prior to joining forces with OHM, Kajal worked in the Chicago area.
In addition to managing the day to day business, Kajal spearheads the Customer Service Training program for our associates. As a prior winner herself, Kajal also leads the Employee of The Month program.
Kajal too, is Brand and Serv Safe Certified in all the franchises she manages. Almost EVERYONE in the East Terminal knows who Kajal is. Her team is known for their exceptional customer speed of service and the best Bagel Sandwiches you have ever eaten.
KEITH PATEL, G.M of Gateway Transportation Center
Keith is the General Manger of the new Gateway Transportation Center which is a rail an bus terminal station downtown St. Louis. Opened in 2008 and operating 24 hours a day, it serves Amtrak, St. Louis MetroLink, MetroBus, regional buses, Greyhound cross-country buses, and taxis. The station is Missouri’s largest rail transportation station and located one block east of St. Louis Union Station.
Keith brings over twelve years of hospitality experience to our organization both from the lodging and food and beverage industries. His most recent sphere of responsibilities are the brands that he currently manages which are YUM’s KFC and Pizza Hut Express, and OHM’s concepts “Arch City Deli” and “Gateway Retail Center”. Keith is both Brand and Serv Safe Certified in all the franchises that he has and currently manages.
