Richard Vellante
Executive Director of Community and Training Events, Lean Enterprise Institute
Vellante has over 20 years of experience leading, coaching, and training teams of staff and executives, most recently as executive vice president and executive chef at Legal Sea Foods, a Boston-based casual-dining chain with 4,000-plus employees. It was voted by USA Today as Best Seafood Restaurant in 2013. Vellante was responsible for the management and oversight of 34 restaurants and eight different concepts. His responsibilities included overseeing general operations, menu development, and roll outs, including seasonal menu changes and promotions.
In 2014, in partnership with LEI, he led the chain’s implementation of lean continuous improvement methods as an expansion plan mandated new levels of efficiency while providing high-quality food and a better guest experience. Vellante oversaw the phased implementation of lean management methods beginning with a model line in a Boston restaurant. He helped lead the multi-year effort by solving problems, applying lean tools, and creating a lean-thinking culture that improved the work, quality, and lead times.
