David Howard
CEO & Founder
David Howard (DH), a James Beard Awards Semi-Finalist for Best Restaurateur, is the founder of The Neighborhood Dining Group (NDG). With a rich background as a hospitality industry veteran and a chef by trade, his culinary journey began on his family’s farm in rural England. DH’s creativity and passion led him to pursue formal culinary education followed by positions in various countries, including Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, and Bermuda. Throughout his travels and interactions with diverse culinary professionals, DH was deeply influenced by the importance of treating people with respect and decency. Armed with these experiences, DH set out to establish a restaurant group based on integrity, which he has steadfastly followed since the inception of NDG. In 1991, as he established his first restaurant, DH handwrote an outline of the guiding principles he would adhere to. Almost three decades and ten restaurant concepts later, this vision remains at the core of the company’s culture. As NDG continues to grow and flourish, his commitment to treating others with respect and providing a nurturing work environment has created a culture where talent thrives, loyalty is rewarded, and everyone can contribute to the collective success of the entire company.
Kenny Lyons
President
Kenny Lyons is President of The Neighborhood Dining Group, where he leads the strategy, culture, and performance of the company’s ten restaurants across South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Lyons joined NDG in 2013 as a member of the opening team at Husk Nashville. He played a critical role in establishing the restaurant as one of the city’s defining dining destinations, earning national recognition from GQ and Esquire in 2014. Working closely with the culinary and beverage teams, he also helped develop Husk Nashville’s acclaimed bourbon collection while leading its wine program. After rising through the company’s leadership ranks and relocating to Charleston, Lyons became increasingly involved in every facet of NDG’s business. His experience spans restaurant operations, beverage development, financial performance, team building, leadership development, brand strategy, and new restaurant openings, giving him a uniquely comprehensive understanding of what makes a restaurant successful. Today, Lyons works at the intersection of hospitality, creativity, and business. He leads NDG’s executive and restaurant teams, helps drive the company’s culture, and works closely with its creative and culinary leaders to conceptualize and launch new brands. He is equally focused on strengthening the infrastructure, systems, and leadership needed to support NDG’s continued growth while preserving the individuality and sense of place that define each restaurant. Throughout his career, Lyons has been instrumental in moving NDG forward by turning ideas into enduring restaurants, developing the people who bring them to life, and ensuring that genuine hospitality remains at the center of everything the company does.
Brittany Link
Human Resources Director
Born in Charleston and now residing in the Atlanta area, Brittany Link is the Human Resources Director for NDG. Her love for the restaurant industry began early on when she began working as a hostess as a teenager and continued to grow as she attended the University of Tennessee and studied hotel, restaurant, and tourism management. While in college, she worked at Blackberry Farm and learned the true meaning of hospitality, the importance of attention to detail, and creating an unforgettable experience for guests. Link continued to learn the ins and outs of the event and restaurant industry and became part of The Neighborhood Dining Group when she joined the management team for the Atlanta location of Minero. In 2019, she transitioned into her current role as Human Resources Director. Link is passionate about the people in this industry, and her experience allows her to approach scenarios with positivity while making employees feel cared for.
Rory O'Connell
Director of Operations
Rory O’Connell, Director of Operations for the Neighborhood Dining Group, brings nearly 20 years of industry expertise to his role, having worked in renowned restaurants across the United States. Originally hailing from Northampton, MA, his fascination with the world behind the restaurant curtain ignited his journey. O’Connell’s career saw him rise through the ranks from a server at Husk in Nashville to General Manager, leading the team for six years before becoming the Director of Operations. In his current position, he is committed to upholding top-notch hospitality and guest satisfaction, fostering a positive, educational, and safe work environment, and preserving the unique essence of each restaurant within the Neighborhood Dining Group.
Katy Powers
Culinary Director
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Katy Powers is the Culinary Director of NDG, overseeing menu development and chef teams across the concept. Originally starting her career as a pastry chef, she earned a degree at the Culinary Institute of America after playing college volleyball at the University of Mississippi. Following her time working on pastry teams across New York City, she joined the NDG team at McCrady’s as a Pastry Chef before joining the executive team in 2020. Knowing the ins and outs of kitchens, she takes a solution-oriented approach and values the importance of listening first, in order to positively impact all of The Neighborhood Dining Group teams.
Chase Elliott
Finance Director
Growing up in Salisbury, North Carolina, Chase Elliott developed an appreciation for the hospitality industry at a young age and later discovered his appreciation for the joy that the industry brings to customers. As a graduate of The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accounting, Elliott began his career in public accounting and later an accounting manager for a start-up alcohol beverage company. In 2017, Elliott moved to Charleston and began his role as Finance Director for The Neighborhood Dining Group. In his role, Elliott enjoys discovering ways to improve the lives of the restaurant managers, staff, and other executive team members. Elliott finds his work rewarding and seeks to improve operational efficiency with the wellbeing of his colleagues at the top of mind.
Kevin King
Project Director
A Seattle native, Kevin King leads new restaurant openings for The Neighborhood Dining Group while supporting operations across the company. He is known for his passion for hospitality and his people-first approach to leadership. King moved to Nashville at age 21, immersing himself in the city’s fast-paced hospitality scene and quickly discovering his passion for restaurants and bars. He joined NDG in 2013 as a bartender at Husk Nashville, where he went on to lead beverage programs and manage operations. In 2017, King moved to Charleston to work at McCrady’s before relocating to Savannah to help open Husk Savannah. He returned to Charleston in 2019 to lead the opening of Delaney Oyster House as General Manager and became General Manager of Husk Charleston in 2021. Since 2018, King has played an integral role in opening nearly every new NDG restaurant, including Husk Savannah, Delaney Oyster House, Minero Johns Island, The James, Marbled & Fin Charleston and Savannah, and Cheeky.
Tammi Brown
Accounting and Administrative Assistant
Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Tammi Brown is NDG’s Accounting and Administrative Assistant. Brown’s broad range of work experience ranges from owning several of her own food-related businesses to working over ten years at a wholesale food distribution company as an accounting and inventory controller. After a move to Charleston, Brown joined The Neighborhood Dining Group in 2022 where her dependability and support ensures the success of the group as a whole.
Chelsey Espinera
Human Resources Manager
Chelsey Espinera, originally from Oklahoma City and raised in Atlanta, pursued studies in hospitality and restaurant management at Metropolitan State of Denver. She moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and began her career with The Neighborhood Dining Group (NDG) in 2016 at McCrady’s. Espinera quickly advanced from server to Banquet Captain. She later joined Delaney Oyster House as Front of House Manager and Sommelier, becoming General Manager in 2021, and is now Human Resources Manager at NDG. Espinera focuses on all things people and helps support all restaurants in the portfolio. Outside of work, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes in her home kitchen.
Ray England
Culinary Projects
Born and raised on his family’s cattle farm in rural Idaho, Raymond England leads culinary projects for The Neighborhood Dining Group. After beginning his career in acclaimed kitchens across the country, including time working under Tom Colicchio and Matt Accarrino at Craft in Los Angeles, he joined the Husk Charleston team in 2022 where he served as Executive Chef for over three years. Outside the kitchen he enjoys supporting Charleston’s restaurant community, cooking at home, golfing, and tending to his garden.
