TORONTO — A Calgary-based restaurateur has been named new Chairman of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).
Gerard Curran, the proprietor of the popular James Joyce Irish Pub and Restaurant in downtown Calgary, was elected to the position at the association’s annual meeting today in Toronto. “I’sm honoured to be representing one of the most innovative and exciting industries in Canada,” said Curran. “With more than 80,000 locations and one million employees, we make a tremendous contribution to the Canadian economy and society. I believe that with the entrepreneurial spirit of our industry, we can do even more.”
Irish by birth, Curran came to Canada in 1979 at the age of 20. As a teen he worked in pubs as well as for Guinness, Ireland’s iconic beer company. Once in Canada, he worked his way up to become CEO of a $30-million brewing company. In 1997, Curran opened the James Joyce — the first authentic Irish pub in Alberta — with his wife, Anne.
In addition to his leadership role with the CRFA, Curran is president of the Calgary Irish Chamber of Commerce and is a past participant on Calgary’s 4th Street Redevelopment Board and the Calgary Downtown Association. He is also sole proprietor of several other unrelated companies.
TORONTO — A Calgary-based restaurateur has been named new chairman of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).
Gerard Curran, the proprietor of the James Joyce Irish Pub and Restaurant in downtown Calgary, was elected to the position at the association’s annual meeting held in Toronto today. “I’sm honoured to be representing one of the most innovative and exciting industries in Canada,” said Curran. “With more than 80,000 locations and one million employees, we make a tremendous contribution to the Canadian economy and society. I believe that with the entrepreneurial spirit of our industry, we can do even more.”
Irish by birth, Curran came to Canada in 1979 at the age of 20. As a teen he worked in pubs and for Guinness, Ireland’s iconic beer company. Once in Canada, he worked his way up to become CEO of a $30-million brewing company. In 1997, Curran opened the James Joyce — the first authentic Irish pub in Alberta — with his wife, Anne.
In addition to his leadership role with the CRFA, Curran is president of the Calgary Irish Chamber of Commerce and is a past participant on Calgary’s 4th Street Redevelopment Board and the Calgary Downtown Association. He is also sole proprietor of several other unrelated companies.
