Written by Lexx Thornton
Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s upcoming Chancellor’s dynamic series, “Yet the boss commanded every opportunity.”
The event will take place in Harrison Auditorium on November 13th at 6:00 p.m. Aliummus Craig Stokes ’04 will moderate the discussion.
As a dynamic young leader in the restaurant and investment industry, Adamolekun will offer compelling perspectives on the challenges of leadership, innovation and navigation in today’s evolving business landscape. His corporate, financial and hospitality experience provides a perfect opportunity to share lessons learned, moments and those working professionally.
Adamolekun was recognized on the 100 most powerful people in business list of 100 most powerful people in 2024. In particular, it led to a sharp turnaround in red lobster and a growth trend that shows signs of slowing down.
At Paulson & Co., CEO of PAB and director of PF Chang’s restaurant chain and PAOLSON’s restaurant, Paulson & Co., Adamolekun played a vital part in the sourcing and subsequent management of several of the firm’s largest investments in hospitality and healthcare. Garnett also served as an operating partner at Station Partners.
Previously, Adamolekun also worked in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs and in private equity at TPG Capital. Serves on the Board of Directors of Inday and the National Restaurant Association.
With a BA in Economics and Political Science from Brown University and Harvard Business School, Adamolekun’s business acumen and extraordinary success have attracted the attention of warning platforms worldwide. He has appeared in multiple publications and multiple publications and multiple news outlets and networks, including Bloomberg News, CBS Evening News, CNBC, CNN, CNN, Forbes, Harvard Business Journal, Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance today and others.
He has received many awards, including three Globee Leadership Gold awards for CEO of the year. In addition, he was named to the nation’s restaurant news power list among the most innovative and inspiring leaders in the restaurant industry.
Stokes is a multifaceted entrepreneur, host and producer who has been active in media and business for over two years. Host of the upcoming reality competition show, “Kind and Seek,” owner of a chicken franchise in Los Angeles and author of one best-selling children’s book, “Be, Little Sunflower.” Prior to opening his restaurant, Stokes created and hosted two popular web series, The Style Minute and Craig Stokes Presents, and produced and starred in other projects such as Whirlpool.
He was recognized by the Huffington Post as one of seven HBCU alumni and met figures such as Tatiana Ali and Malik Yoba, who spoke to more than 100,000 youth and college students. Originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, he is also a 20-year officer in the Air Force Reserves. in Architectural Engineering and earned an M.B.A. in Architectural Engineering from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
Tickets for the speaker series will be available on November 3 at the university ticket office in brown hall. This event is free and open to the public.
