April 15, 2013 – The general managers of all nine Smith & Wollensky restaurants in the U.S., including Chicago, are reporting to a new national director of operations.

Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group hired Joe O’Brien (left) in March. The Boston-based company says O’Brien will work “to advance the brand and uphold the quality standards that sets Smith & Wollensky apart.”

O’Brien has more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry and was most recently director of operations for Charlie Palmer Group, which owns and manages fine dining restaurants and specialty hotels.

“The timing was right for both me and the group,” said O’Brien in a news release, “and it took us no time to realize a comfortable fit for this opportunity.”

According to company president Michael Feighery, Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group is considering new locations outside of the United States.