HUBB Kitchens Team
Meet your new community.

Founder & Managing Member
Jason Johnson
Jason has over 16 years of restaurant management experience with successful brands such as Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, and The Capital Grille. He believes in an environment of shared knowledge and resources to achieve a more successful bottom line for all.

Community Manager
Dekisha Thompson
Dekisha’s culinary skills began when employed at The cheesecake Factory while obtaining her degree from Norfolk State University. Her passion for food and skills in the kitchen granted her various promotions, allowing her to travel to train employees for new restaurant openings. In 2017 she became Assistant Executive Kitchen Manager, later becoming EKM. Her outstanding communication skills and advanced knowledge of kitchen practices makes her an excellent Community Manager.

Director of Marketing
Katherine Symanowicz
With a focus in marketing, Katherine creates all content throughout our distribution channels and ensures a consistent company brand across all social media platforms. Her passion for digital design and supporting small businesses work well with her role as Director of Marketing.

Marketing Strategist & Consultant
Jide Iruka
Jide's 15+ years of digital & traditional marketing experience in both large companies, like National Geographic, and small businesses has allowed her to find new ways to create awareness for brands and give a voice to beginning businesses. As a northern transplant, her time in the Raleigh-Durham area has really shown her the true sense of community—we all can do a small part and make a big difference.

Advisor and Investor
William McGuire
Will McGuire is a business advisor and early investor in J. Johnson & Company, LLC (aka HUBB Kitchens). He is CEO of Incolo, where he supports a team who helps create investable founders who make up the rising tide of this region. His insight into business development and growth is exceptional.

Advisor and Investor
Jason Widen
Founding Partner of HQ Raleigh which fosters inclusive communities of entrepreneurs through shared workspace creating lasting economic and social impact in the world. Jason is the former chairman of the Board of Innovate Raleigh. His passion and dedication for our community shows in his endeavors, and his experience with entrepreneurship is an asset to HUBB Kitchens.

Advisor and Investor
G Patel
G is a 2015 recipient of the Triangle Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Award and is a 2018 Restaurateur of the Year, an award by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association that recognizes top hospitality leaders. His expertise makes him an excellent advisor to those starting and growing their business under HUBB Kitchen's wing.

Advisor and Investor
Cece Buonya
Cece Buonya is a business consultant, investor and financial professional who is passionate about entrepreneurship and supporting her community. She is a native of Raleigh, NC and truly believes in the value HUBB Kitchens can bring to the triangle, local business owners and its residents.

Advisor and Investor
Mark Dewitt
Mark DeWitt has over 40 + years of experience in sales, marketing, client development and senior management experience. He has over 17 years in the mortgage originations and servicing industry with vast experience in the development of structured transactions, Risk, financial acumen, and client account services.

Project Management
Nilesh Surti
Neel's background is in Engineering and Project Management. He has helped his wife start her culinary business from a caterer to a food truck and then as a vendor in a food hall. I have years of knowledge in food truck operations and running a restaurant.