Alex Berentzen is the COO of Thompson Hospitality one of the largest retail food and facilities management companies, in the country. The company serves diverse clients, including Fortune 100 companies, universities, medical centers, and school districts, with a portfolio of well-known brands. Alex is a Dutch native and began his career in Amsterdam before moving to the US and holding Director of Restaurant Operations and other leadership roles at The Ritz Carlton, Wegmans Food Markets, King’s Seafood Company, and eventually, Thompson Restaurant Group.

We spoke with Alex about:

• Holding yourself accountable through focused reflection
• Discipline
• Differences between Europe & the US
• Formal vs. on-site education
• Communicating with your team as a leader
• Being proactive
• Taking risks and minimizing regret
• Listening and learning from others
• Much more