Kirk Ruoff – Founder and CEO

Mr. Ruoff’s restaurant experience started in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he was trained by Michael Hurst, past President of the National Restaurant Association and Professor with the Hospitality Management School at Florida International University, at his award winning 15th Street Fisheries Restaurant. Mr. Ruoff received a football scholarship to Boston College where he played for Tom Coughlin. He graduated from Boston College with a business degree in entrepreneurial studies in 1992.

 

After completing college, Mr. Ruoff spent a brief time away from the restaurant industry where his focus was dealer consultant for Toyota Motor Sales. Mr. Ruoff returned to his passion following Toyota and received multi-unit restaurant management experience with Brinker International’s Chili’s Bar and Grill in Holmdel, NJ. While in Holmdel, he led the restaurant to achieve the highest unit level performance in the Chili’s system. After two years, he left to attain his personal goal of creating an upscale breakfast and lunch restaurant. In 1998 Mr. Ruoff purchased a failing lunch and dinner restaurant in Little Silver, NJ and the “Turning Point” concept was born.

 

Bonnie Iavaroni – Chief Operating Officer 

In 1999, two years after receiving a culinary arts degree from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Mrs. Iavaroni began her career at Turning Point, as the Head Chef of the Little Silver location. She has been instrumental in the success and growth of the company; her corporate management team oversees the successful day to day restaurant operations. Mrs. Iavaroni also was the lead in the development of the Turning Point’s award-winning menu. Mrs. Iavaroni has over 25 years’ experience in the restaurant industry.

 

Meggan McCarthy – VP of Development and Finance

Starting out her hospitality career by opening a deli in Cincinnati with her brother Kurt, The Beer Belly Deli, made Meggan realize how much she loves the restaurant business. Now with over eighteen years in the restaurant business, Meggan brings operational and technical experience from companies such as Panera Bread, Argo Tea, and NCR. Having opened restaurants in NYC and Ohio, Mrs. McCarthy brings her experience to her position as VP of Development and Finance, she oversees all IT related issues, Aloha POS Systems, R365 Accounting Software, and the implementation of new technologies into the system. Mrs. McCarthy oversees the financial statements, cash flow statements and audits for the company.

 

Matthew Alkon – New Store Development and Facility Director

Mr. Alkon began his career in the restaurant industry as a barista with the Turning Point in Manalapan in 2003. In two short years Mr. Alkon had advanced to General Manager of the Little Silver location then shortly after a Managing Partner for the Hoboken location. As the New Store Development and Facility Director Mr. Alkon works with Mr. Ruoff in the analysis of new stores, coordinates permits, negotiates builder contracts and oversees the timely construction of the new restaurants. He also actively manages and oversees the existing facilities repair and maintenance team.

 

Evan Weissman – Culinary Director

Mr. Weissman is a graduate of the Academy of Culinary Arts in Mays Landing, NJ.  He began his career as a line cook and worked his way through the ranks up to Executive Chef for Zagara’s, a gourmet specialty foods store in New Jersey.  Mr. Weissman brings a wealth of managerial experience from concepts such as P.F. Chang’s, Macaroni Grill and Westin Hotels in the food and beverage operations. Evan began in 2014 with the Turning Point team and has seen many roles including General Manager and Director of New Store Openings.