Meet The Crew

Alex joined the Luke’s Lobster team in July of 2022. She is from the southern coast of Massachusetts, so quality seafood is something she grew up appreciating. She remembers spending summers digging for clams with her brothers and bringing them home for her parents to cook, which has become an unofficial tradition for her family. Alex takes pride in working hard, remembering faces, and connecting with guests. When she’s not working she’s writing songs at home with her cats or playing her music on a stage for anyone who will listen. Alex also loves watching bad scary movies and eating excessive amounts of peanut butter. She is grateful to be a part of the Luke’s team and family.

Tracy has been with Luke's since she was scouted by our Plaza GM Gonca in 2016, and then quickly became an integral part of our Brooklyn Bridge Park shack. As a shift leader in BBP, Tracy was there when we took over the whole smokestack building and is excited to move to the Upper West Side to bring her talents to a new neighborhood. When she's not giving our guests the Luke's experience that we're known for, Tracy is spoiling her granddaughter Brianna.

A born Bostonian, Mickelia started her career at Sweetgreen before joining the Luke's Lobster team in 2021. She was one of the first teammates hired when Imer, the current General Manager at our Boston shack, began managing the shacks in Boston. She's been an incredible asset to our crew, holding down the fort at our Boston shacks.
Mickelia loves traveling, spending time with family, listening to music, and dancing. When she isn't at Luke's working hard and pushing her infectiously positive attitude, you can find her in Jamaica :)

Kevin Bowen is the General Manager of our Portland Pier location. Kevin joined Luke’s in May 2021.   He was born in Camden, Maine but grew up within a military family that moved all over the country (Illinois, California, South Carolina,  a stop in England, Arkansas, and New York).  Kevin returned to Maine for college and never left.  Proud father of two amazing daughters that are his entire world.  Before Luke’s, Kevin spent 15 years with Ninety Nine Restaurants as a General Managing Partner.  When away from work, Kevin likes to hike, golf (terribly),  and might be known for taking a vacation or two.

Meet the incredible Johnnie Brown, a man born to add a splash of excitement to every chapter of his life! Born in Oakland, CA and surrounded by a squad of siblings, cousins, aunties, uncles, and grandparents - talk about a family fiesta! Growing up, Jonnie was the life of the party in groups like the Boy Scouts, the debate team, and the track squad, all while playing drums in the church and various music groups.
Embarking on his career at Sears, Johnnie ascended in the Shipping and Receiving Dept to the illustrious title of Receiving Manager. And guess what? Sears also played matchmaker, introducing him to his wife and the source of his fatherly pride, Juan.
The journey didn't stop there. From the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to a stint as a Data Analyst in Social Services, he rode the waves until 2009's layoff prompted a detour. Seizing the opportunity, he earned a Medical Assisting certificate, becoming a health superhero at various fairs and clinics. Enter Panera - a bagel run with his wife turned career jackpot! Johnnie skyrocketed from Associate to Assistant General Manager, working at nine Panera locations and opening two in the Bay Area like a culinary maestro. While at Panera, Johnnie multitasked as a minister at Beth Eden Baptist Church, where he welcomed his son Joseph into the world.
In 2023, life threw a curveball- Johnnie's wife faced surgery, prompting a tough choice to bid adieu to Panera. Destiny had other plans, leading him to Luke's, where he discovered a calling in the food industry. Not once, but twice, Johnnie stumbled into careers he didn't seek, guided by fate and a love for the work and the people he surrounds himself with.

Mike Bruna has been managing restaurants for over twelve years. Growing up, Mike developed his love of the ocean and fishing while spending time with his grandfather in Virginia Beach. Finding great catharsis within the Sustainable and Traceable ethos of Luke's Lobster, he joined the crew in winter of 2021 where he continues to look forward to serving you the best lobster roll available in Maryland at our Bethesda Lane location.

Kristin joined the Luke's team back in the summer of 2015 after years slinging pizzas with California Pizza Kitchen. She started off as the Catering Coordinator in the City of Brotherly Love - where she was born and raised. In 2016 she took on the role of General Manager, and now spends lots of time on Amtrak traveling along the East Coast as our Director of Operations. If you ever need a train discount, she's your girl! When she's not at Luke's you can find Kristin hanging at home with her husband and her puggle, or slowly losing her hearing in a SoulCycle class.

Tracy relocated from Syracuse, New York, to Southern Maine nine years ago with her husband and son. Shortly after settling in, Tracy joined the Luke's Lobster team, where she has been a dedicated Accounting Manager at our Saco Processing Facility for nearly a decade.
Initially self-taught, Tracy has pursued further education and recently completed her Associates in Accounting, demonstrating her commitment to professional growth.
Outside of work, Tracy finds joy in all seasons. In the winter, she can be found immersed in a good book, and in the summer months, she indulges her adventurous side by riding her motorcycle. Above all, Tracy cherishes spending quality time with her family.
In addition to her primary job, Tracy somehow juggles additional hours at a local grocery chain where she works with teens with special needs. Tracy has a special talent for helping these teens discover their capabilities and develop important life skills and she values her time spent with them.

Kevin Casey is the current General Manager of our Park Slope location. Kevin started as a Teammate and delivery person at our Upper West Side shack back in 2013 and has worked in many of our New York shacks throughout the years. Hailing from Western Massachusetts, he spent many summers in Maine growing up with his family, where he determined that the lobster roll is the very best way to eat lobster. When not at a Luke's, Kevin spends his time in the great outdoors, surfing, biking, gardening, writing music, enjoying all of the fine cuisine in the city, and especially working on creative and artistic projects.

Arthur is a second-time New Yorker- born and raised in Memphis, TN.
He gained his love for good food and drink growing up in his family's restaurant business. He originally came to New York City to work in finance until he moved out to the Bay Area to start his own food business with a Southern Fried Chicken food truck. He moved back to NYC a few years ago and has worked for some well known restaurant groups before joining the Luke's Lobster team.
Arthur enjoys all that NYC offers- he is an avid museum and theatre goer and a fine wine enthusiast. He also enjoys cheering for his college alma mater's (The University of Tennessee) sports teams, the Boston Red Sox, and Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League.

Matthew Conner is a dedicated Area Manager at Luke's Lobster, where he has been instrumental since February 2023. Initially joining the team as the General Manager of the Rittenhouse location, Matthew quickly demonstrated his leadership and expertise, paving the way for his promotion to Area Manager.
With over 15 years of experience in restaurant and hospitality management, Matthew brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to his role. His passion for the industry is evident in his commitment to excellence and his ability to foster a positive and productive work environment.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Matthew enjoys spending time at the beach, cherishing moments with his family, and actively participating in volunteer work. His well-rounded approach to life and work makes him a valued leader and a respected member of the Luke's Lobster family.

Chanel, a Brooklyn native with a heart as diverse as her upbringing in Crown Heights, has spent 11 vibrant years in the hospitality industry. Raised amidst a mosaic of cultures, her passion for culinary arts and community service was nurtured by her grandparents. With a background spanning Starbucks, Five Guys, and Union Square Hospitality Group, Chanel's expertise reflects a fusion of experiences. Beyond her professional endeavors, she pours her heart into an independent catering venture, finding profound joy in crafting memorable culinary experiences for others.

Ben Conniff is the co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Luke’s Lobster, with over 30 locations across 9 US cities and internationally in Japan and Taiwan. After answering Luke’s Craigslist ad in the summer of 2009 and opening our first location in the East Village one month later, Ben remains heavily involved in the day-to-day workings of Luke’s since the beginning.

Ben is also the author of Real Maine Food, and has written for Saveur, GQ, Tasting Table, and more. He was named to the Inc. and Zagat “30 Under 30” lists and serves as an advisor to restaurant, fishery, and agriculture businesses. He spends the majority of his time in Portland, ME.

With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Shawn has worked hard to create memorable guest experiences and improve operations. He's had the opportunity to collaborate with respected brands like Chipotle, Wahoo's Fish Tacos, Red Lobster, and Skinny Pizza, helping to foster culture and support talent development. Shawn’s heart beats for his family and the great outdoors! When not restauranting, you might find him doing puzzles with his kids, skating at the park, or exploring local trails. A devoted family man and adventurer, he is all about life’s simple pleasures.

Meaghan spearheads the marketing efforts of the brand which explains why she has more photos on her iPhone of lobster rolls than she does of people or dogs combined. Meaghan is a graduate of Fordham University and developed her love for all things food and culinary while working at the French Culinary Institute in SoHo. She moved on to work on the development team at Marcus Samuelsson Group where she was integral in opening a number of the celebrity chef's restaurants from Harlem to Bermuda. Meaghan currently lives in the East Village mere blocks from the original Luke's shack, where she alternates weekly between a shrimp roll and a lobster roll. She's also a passionate lover of pizza and all the reality TV that Time Warner has to offer.

Sam was born and raised in Brunswick, Maine and has been working on the water since he was 15. As a student clammer throughout highschool, Sam transitioned to co-founding his own oyster farm in 2018, where he grew a passion for the Maine coast. Attending college at the University of Maine for Marketing and Management, he used what he learned and directly applied it to his work. Shortly after graduating from UMaine in 2021, he has now joined Luke's team as Customer Experience Manager, where he uses his love for the working waterfront as his daily driver in the office. 

Emily is a Luke's original in both hire date and personality and is the rock of Luke's Lobster. She's the one that ensures all the LL stores are running smoothly and is the first call respondent to any emergencies that arise at the shops. When not running from store to store, Emily can be found enjoying the finer things in life. Whether that's watching a movie on her projector screen or making tomato sauce that would make any nonna jealous (secret ingredient: butter) - she's a quality over quantity gal, and that's probably what makes her so great at her job. If you're ever feeling stressed get in line for one of Emily's killer back rubs. While her hands may be slight, they are freakishly strong.

Sabrina was born and raised in Farmington, Maine. After graduating from Maine Maritime Academy, she went to Alaska and worked as a Marine Biologist monitoring catch on commercial fishing vessels. It was also where she met her husband- you may have heard of him, Denny Fiaalii, Raw Supervisor at Seaco! Sabrina joined Luke’s Lobster QA department in 2016, shortly after Denny started working here. Sabrina is a natural leader who brings palpable warmth and positive energy to work. Her passion at work is building and empowering the team while keeping our product safe and ensuring the best quality.
Sabrina loves country music, bonfires, camping, fishing, hunting, playing basketball and softball, Sunday morning coffee, and walking around without shoes. Any time she spends with my family is treasured- she has two daughters, Manaiah and Emery, a dog, Sailor, and of course, her husband, whom she loves to pieces.

Addie Fisher grew up in New Hampshire with three older brothers and two dogs. She played soccer and lacrosse throughout her academic career and received her BFA in photography. Addie moved to Miami after participating in Art Basel and spending too much time in the sunshine amongst palm trees and beach waves. Nearly ten years later living in the 305, Addie is a dance and fitness instructor in addition to Luke's. Her dog Boots is the love of her life and her trusted running partner. When she is not working at one of her three jobs, she is face-timing with my nieces and nephews, creating new choreography, running with her dog, or catching up with some friends.

In true Luke's fashion, Cassandra found her way to the company as a teammate through a Craigslist ad recruiting for the opening of our Rittenhouse shack in Philadelphia. From Teammate, to Shift Leader, to Senior Shift Leader, Cassandra grew to love lobster shack life so much so that - even when she took a brief sabbatical from the company to move to the 'burbs - Luke's was never far from her mind. As soon as she had the opportunity, she jumped back on the line as the GM of Rittenhouse. Now, 6 years from answering that fateful ad, she's followed the bright LobStar of Luke's all the way to San Francisco to GM our first west coast shack! When not slingin' lobster, you can find Cassandra... well, actually you probably can't find her. Because she's most likely at home with her husband and mustachio'd cat Tom Selleck or off exploring the wilds of California.

Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Greg moved to Boston in 2014 for college and joined the Luke’s team in 2017 at Back Bay from Teammate to Shift Leader to AGM. After graduating from Emerson with a BS and MS in Speech Language Pathology, he works full time in special education during the day and crushes rolls as the Assistant General Manager at night with the best team around! When he’s not teaching or at Luke’s, you can find him watching reruns of Glee or Grey’s Anatomy, blasting Taylor Swift, blaming the universe for all his problems, and on the prowl for the best espresso martini in town

Nadia Gaston is from Jamaica. She has a passion for food and has been working in the food industry for a few years now. Outside of work she enjoys cooking and travelling. 

Jim grew up in Maine and lives for all things outdoors and on the ocean. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and deployed multiple times on a Bath-built destroyer. Later, he worked at McKinsey & Company and in various people leadership roles around the country before returning home to Maine.
He is our Chief People Officer and leads our People and Culture team. His personal aspiration is to support and bring the best out of our amazing people who, in turn, serve the best tasting seafood to our customers. At Luke's, everything starts with our people.
Jim is married to Sarah and together, they have a 5-yo son and 2-yo daughter. Their family wouldn't be complete without their labradoodle, Casco, named for Casco Bay, their favorite body of water in the world. On any given weekend, the family can be found boating, at the beach, hiking, or skating and skiing depending on the season.

Kayla has been in the restaurant business since she was 18 years old. She has a passion for all things development: people, sales, cleanliness, and organization! When she is not at work, you can catch her at these two places: Target or the Mall! Being a part of Luke's means something greater than just a job: we stand for inclusivity, sustainability, and fun. Come see Kayla down in the DC Farragut Location!

Clay grew up in Central Florida and moved to Las Vegas eight years later. His first job in Florida allowed him to work at Disney World and Universal Studios, where he was "best friends" with Goofy, Beast, Baloo, and Phoebe every day! After playing make-believe for a few years, Clay switched to his true passion of working in the restaurant industry. He's worked in the restaurant industry for over 20 years and has never been more excited to be part of a company than he is at Luke's!
In Clay's spare time, he loves woodworking, mountain biking, and spending time with his wife and dog, Mupsy Belle. 

Melissa Haskell was raised in China, Maine, and moved to Portland a few years ago. Melissa started at Luke's Seaco in July of 2022 and worked in almost every department starting as a lead in RAWVA, then working her way up to assistant supervisor in RTE before she was ultimately promoted to a QA tech working under Sabrina.

Keke is a DMV native with 23 years of experience in the food service industry, specializing in customer service and guest satisfaction. She brings her expertise to her new role after spending the last three years as an Assistant General Manager at Ruby Tuesday before joining Luke's. Outside of work, Keke is incredibly family-oriented, cherishing her time with her husband and three daughters. Family dinners at her parents' house are a weekly tradition. Keke is also passionate about fashion, and she loves dressing up when she goes out. You'll rarely see her with the same hairstyle twice—keep an eye out for her in Penn Quarter and the other DC area locations.

Having grown up in Cape Elizabeth and attending Bowdoin College, Bryan is the epitome of all things Maine. After stints in banking and consulting, Bryan decided to join the family business. Known as the Doze, Bryan is the ultimate Renaissance man: All-American lacrosse player, lover of theatre and art, deft carpenter and flexible yogi. It was once rumored that he grew the best mustache on the East Coast, an allegation he will neither confirm nor deny. But perhaps Bryan's most admirable characteristic is his uncanny ability to bring his unique sense of humor to any situation.

Born in Portland, Maine, Jeff Holden is a lifelong Mainer who spent summer jobs on the Portland waterfront, which led to him becoming a second-generation lobsterman. Low lobster prices and no market for crab in the 1970s created an opportunity to open a retail fish market where Jeff could sell his lobsters and cook and pick crab. After five years of lobstering, Jeff sold his boat and became a full-time crab processor and soon became the first commercial processor of Jonah Crab in New England. Jeff also held the first two lobster processing licenses in Maine. From 1980 to 2010, Jeff processed over 8 million pounds of seafood annually and had customers in over 20 different countries. In 2009, Jeff joined his oldest son, Luke, and opened their first restaurant in NYC. Jeff currently oversees live lobster sales and is a Managing Partner at Luke's Lobster, which has over 22 locations in the US and Asia and is in Whole Foods Market nationwide.

Luke Holden grew up in Cape Elizabeth, Maine – a third-generation lobsterman who started learning the trade at age 13. After attending Georgetown University and beginning an investment banking career on Wall Street, Luke was remiss to find that every lobster roll available in New York was overpriced, drowning in mayo, and diluted with celery. He craved a real Maine-style roll and simply couldn’t find one.

Luke saw an opportunity to bring a casual seafood spot, like the homegrown lobster shacks of his childhood, to New York’s culinary landscape. In 2009, Luke decided to harness his passion for excellent seafood and his family’s 40-plus years in the Maine lobster industry to open the first Luke’s Lobster in the East Village with his dad Jeff, a lobster processor, and Ben Conniff. To keep up with demand, Luke and partners opened Luke’s Lobster’s own seafood processing facility in 2012. The complete vertical integration ensures every lobster served at Luke’s is handled with care and kept pristine.

Today, Luke spends the majority of the year in Maine, where he maintains relationships with lobstermen and oversees production at Luke’s Lobster’s processing facility. He also sits on the board of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative, the Island Institute, and the Tenants Harbor Fisherman’s Co-op, which he helped found. Luke’s donates a portion of its proceeds to The Ocean Foundation and the Island Institute, helping preserve Maine’s fishing communities and the sustainability of our oceans. Over the years, Luke has also been included on the Forbes’ 30 under 30, Inc 30 under 30, Zagat’s 30 under 30, and Crain’s 40 under 40.

Michael Holden, affectionally known as Mikey, has been with the company since 2012, working in various operations and development roles in Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.  He graduated with a business degree from Skidmore College in upstate New York.  Today, Mikey is the glue that holds the team together during new openings.  A Maine native and the youngest Holden brother, Mikey approaches problems with a strong work ethic and a sense of humor.  In his spare time he enjoys Boston Sports, playing golf, and strategy based board games.

Imer Huertas, a Puerto Rican native, seamlessly blends his love for the outdoors with a dedication to hospitality. If he's not hiking or swimming somewhere in New England, he's probably at your local bakery purchasing pastries. Graduating high school in 2012, he pursued Environmental Studies and GIS at Temple University, earning his bachelor's degree in 2018. Joining Luke's Lobster in 2014 during his university years, he swiftly ascended to shift leader. Post-graduation, he embarked on a five-month thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, one of his proudest achievements. Returning to Luke's Lobster with a strong focus on his career, he climbed up the ladder to General Manager of Downtown Crossing and Back Bay demonstrating exceptional leadership, particularly during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. His achievements culminated in his recent appointment as Area Manager of Boston in June 2024, embodying dedication and perseverance throughout his decade-long tenure with the company.

Meghan was born in New York but raised in Florida, she brings a good mix of the Northern charm and South hospitality to the pier. She joined the Portland Pier team in August of 2020 as a FOH manager and in 9 short months was promoted to Assistant General Manager. She has spent the last 9 years in the restaurant industry here in Maine. The years before she found her passion in our industry she spent her time in the animal care field with the Humane Society. When she isn't on the pier you can find her out and about with her husband and pups enjoying all the outdoor activities Maine and New Hampshire have to offer. 

Taylor comes from a background in retail and never imagined she would end up working in the food industry. But Luke's ended up being a game changer, and she worked her way up in the company and is happy to be part of a company that takes care of its people and the environment.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, she ended up in Florida during her teenage years deep sea fishing, crabbing and snorkeling with her grandfather. So, of course, she knows about seafood! In her downtime, nowadays, you can find her at home building gundam models with her partner, arguing with her parrot and playing video games. All while living by the wise words that they say forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza.

Chris first met Luke when they were teammates on the Georgetown hockey team, and graduated in 2009. He joined Luke's Lobster in 2011 while living in NYC and handled all of the seafood ordering and distribution for the restaurant group. Today he lives in Maine with his wife Lauren, their daughter, and their fantastic dog Otis, seen here. He handles the accounting and logistical side of all of the company's seafood procurement and international sales, as well as a majority of the domestic retail and wholesale operations. He loves skiing, the outdoors, and playing sports, taking great satisfaction at being exceptional at a few of them, but "good to pretty good" at all of them.

Lauren joined the Luke's team in 2011. As VP of E-Commerce + Retail, Lauren oversees Luke's Online Market and Branded Grocery channels and is responsible for executing a strategic product roadmap that enhances the Luke's brand image and sales performance targets through product. Lauren's entrepreneurial spirit and passion for cooking stems back to age 10, when she held regular lemonade stands in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art - which helped fund her BA degree in History & Chinese from the University of Pennsylvania. Although born and raised in NYC, she's happy to call Portland, Maine home now where she lives with Chris Jordan (Luke's Logistics Director) and their rambunctious pup Otis.

After graduating from St. Lawrence University with a B.A. in Spanish & Fine Arts, Morgan thought she'd spend just a summer in Portsmouth, NH working in restaurants while she figured out how to apply her obscure double major. Instead, she stuck around and built a career in the hospitality industry growing from Server, to General Manager and ultimately VP of Operations of J.Group - a hospitality group founded by James Beard nominated restaurateur, Jay McSharry.

Now, as People + Culture Generalist at our processing plant in Saco, Maine, she loves using her Spanish daily to support our diverse, multi-lingual team. Nicknamed "The Morganizer" at age two, Morgan has a knack for bringing order and building systems. Outside of her Luke's life, she is most often hanging with her husband doing projects on their "almost fixed" fixer-upper in Cape Neddick or enjoying the beaches and hiking trails of southern Maine. 

After graduating from Husson University with a B.S. in Marketing Communications, Emmaline joined Luke's Lobster as a Marketing & Creative Intern in the summer of 2024. Her passion for graphics and understanding of the brand's visual identity quickly secured her a full-time position as a Creative Assistant supporting all things social media and design related at Luke's!

Emmaline responds to most variations of her name: Emma, Emily, Amelia, Lemon-Lime, etc. Though the correct pronunciation (emma - line like Caroline) will win you some serious brownie points. She enjoys consuming media in any form (books, movies, music, and more), attending concerts, and adding to her second-hand wardrobe by scavenging New England's best thrift stores. 

Chris has been in the restaurant industry for over 25 years and tried to get out a few times but just kept returning for the people.  He has a wonderful partner and two sons who keep life interesting. He is always up to sing karaoke and enjoys the occasional golf game and game night with friends. He enjoys watching sports (Go Mariners and Seahawks). He might also be found spending a weekend at a Sci-fi/Fantasy convention playing board games and Magic: The Gathering.

Heather joined the Luke's team in 2017 when she decided she wanted to participate in something healthier than bartending. When she's not chatting up the guests at our shack on the fabulous Las Vegas Strip, she can be found perusing museums, riding roller coasters, reading classic literature (from Bukowksi to Austen to Kafka!) , sipping craft beers, and hanging out with her super duper rad kiddo. As a self-proclaimed "steward of the Earth," her favorite part about working at Luke's is how our respect for the environment has a huge impact on all aspects (big and small) within our company.

Adam Joined Luke's in June of 2016. He manages all of the wholesale and grocery business, both domestic and international. Born on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Adam moved to Maine in 2009 for College. He graduated in '13 from the University of New England. He worked for a local branch of Xerox in Portland, ME for two years, managing multiple territories in Southern Maine during that stretch. In 2015 Adam was recruited by Designs for Health and managed all Sales & Marketing initiatives for Northern New England overseeing 100+ medical practices. 

Outside of work, Adam spends his time playing hockey and golf, at the gym, and grabbing a couple beers pretty much anytime the opportunity presents itself. Adam reluctantly self-identifies as an emotionally-drained, lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan and has one son, named Gilmour, seen in his photo with him.

Pema was born in the majestic mountains of Tibet, where she learned early on that nature is beautiful, but so are kindness and compassion (and a good cup of butter tea). At the age of 9, she moved to the United States, trading snowy peaks for city streets, but never leaving behind the spiritual wisdom and empathy of her Tibetan roots.
In May 2023, Pema joined Luke’s Lobster, where she quickly became a fan of both the company and the Jonah crab rolls—because who wouldn't? When she's not at work, you’ll probably find her hiking somewhere, daydreaming about The Lord of the Rings, or traveling to countries like Nepal and India.
Pema’s Buddhist roots keep her grounded in compassion and mindfulness, which also come in handy when managing her fiancé, Lobsang, and their ever-expanding family of 10+ dogs in India. Life may be an adventure, but Pema’s got it all figured out—one snow crab roll at a time.

Thanh Le aka Le, comes from a long line of restaurants including TGI Fridays, Outback Steakhouse, and Houlihan's. Originally from Northern Virginia, Le came to New York in 2015 to join the restaurant Vapiano. After traveling the world and becoming a certified international trainer, Le joined Luke's Lobster in 2018. He is a family man with three beautiful daughters and a stunning wife to match. He enjoys princess tea parties and spending time with his family. Check him out at our FiDi and Midtown East locations.

Darwin enjoys the outdoors, especially when he is working on his garden planting herbs, vegetables and snapdragon plants! He loves working in the hospitality and food service industry where he gets to meet all types of interesting personalities which make for good storytelling. Darwin grew up in the beautiful island of Barbados and moved to New York where he received his education. 

Julia is a native Mainer, born and raised in South Portland, ME. She’s been working in the seafood industry since 2014, getting her start serving all things seafood at a local restaurant and fresh fish market. In 2016, she moved to Boston to attend Simmons University. A couple of months later she joined the Luke’s team at our Back Bay shack, initially as a teammate and then as a shift leader. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations and Marketing Communications, she traded in her apron to join the Luke’s Marketing Team as a Marketing Coordinator. In her free time, you can find her cooking, exploring Boston neighborhoods, or taking a bus up to Portland to visit with her family.

Courtney Marie serves as the Assistant General Manager at Rittenhouse and has over 17 years of expertise in the food service and retail industries. Over her four-year tenure with Luke's, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to excellence, contributing significantly to her team's success.

Courtney is dedicated to fostering a positive work environment and ensuring the highest standards of service. When she's not at work, she enjoys spending time at the beach, hiking, and embracing a relaxed lifestyle.

Jean joined Luke’s at the beginning of 2024. She is originally from Wisconsin, but the last seven years she’s been living in New York. Jean has a passion for training and food safety. She has eight years of hospitality experience between working at Domino’s Pizza and Chipotle. She loves spending time with her family, and spoiling her bunny and cat. In the future, she would like to open a small sewing business.

Aislinn began her career at Luke's Lobster in the summer of 2021 as the People + Culture Coordinator; in this role, she has the pleasure of supporting the team at the processing plant and shacks nationwide with all things payroll, benefits, and compliance. Aislinn recently relocated to Maine from New Hampshire, where she hiked all 48 of the 4,000 footers and worked in restaurants and hospitality for the better part of 15 years. When not in the office, you can find Aislinn renovating her house, taking pottery classes, and swimming in the ocean as often as the weather allows.

Shelbi is a born and raised Mainer. She grew up in the Sebago Lake region and now resides in Portland. She joins Luke's as the Marketing Manager, assisting the marketing team with content creation, social media, and customer service. She developed her love of all things Maine during her time as online editor for Maine and Maine Home+Design magazines. When she is not eating her way through Maine's burgeoning culinary scene you can find her enjoying the natural resources of Moosehead Lake during all the seasons or spending quality time with her large, loud, and lovely family.

JP McIntyre grew up in Baltimore near the Chesapeake Bay, which engendered in him a lifelong love of seafood and a passion for sustainable fishing methods. He is incredibly proud to bring his decade of hospitality experience to the team at Luke's Lobster. Look for him at Luke's Lobster Chicago City Hall, where he'll be happy to serve you the best seafood you've every tasted.

Brian Noble was born by the ocean in Bridgehampton, NY and grew up in love with jumping and riding the waves at Scott Cameron Beach.  He was a 3-sport athlete in High School, playing Football, Basketball, and Baseball.   He began his service industry career as a dishwasher at 14 years of age and moved up the ranks to become a bartender on his 18th birthday.  During his summers in the Hamptons as a local on the South Fork, Brian worked two jobs; cleaning beachside mansion pools by day and bartending late into the summer nights.  He began bar managing in 2008 and brought his hard work ethic north to Vermont in 2010 where he continued his management career for several establishments in and around Stratton Mountain Resort.  Shortly after the opening season as the first GM at "Bar 802" in VT in 2016,  Brian fell in love with his gorgeous fiancee Lia and moved south to be with her, first in Stamford and then in South Norwalk CT.

Mr. Noble sharpened his restaurant skills for 3 more years before the newly engaged couple moved to Portland, Maine where they couldn't be happier!  Fun Fact: Lia & Brian are currently planning to be wed right on the pier at Luke's in September of 2022!

Ward joined the Luke's team in May of 2021 as the Portland Pier Wharf Assistant but came to Maine 20 years before from Glen Rock, New Jersey in 2001 after an internship at UNESCO in Paris, France. Ward worked as a writer, reporter, and editor at a handful of community newspapers in Biddeford, Cape Elizabeth, and South Portland as well as administrative coordinator in Portland Scarborough at Maine Medical Center and MaineHealth. He enjoys spending time with his son and showing people around a growing Portland.

Haleigh Petroe is the VP of People + Culture for Luke's Lobster. She was one of the first hires in 2009 at our original East Village shack and climbed up the ladder from roll slinger to General Manager to Director of HR to VP of People + Culture. She doesn't much like ladders though. Over the last 10 years, Haleigh has focused on bringing great people into the organization and growing the Luke's community, most recently at our processing plant in Saco, Maine. In 2016, she earned her SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) Professional Certification through Pace University. Also, Haleigh has notably won 2nd place in our office Halloween costume contest 3 years running (next year is her year). You can find Haleigh in Brooklyn, NY walking her dachshund Begbie or trying to fix her '96 Jeep Cherokee.

Klaudia Ramos was born and raised in New York and joined the Luke's team in 2020. After graduating from Baruch College with a BA in Accounting, she worked for The Standard, High Line and The Brooklyn Brewery in the accounting department. KlaudiaI loves to travel to new places and see Broadway and Off-Broadway shows with her partner. She also has a maltese dog who she spoils with treats and hugs, and who loves to take car rides with her.

Maria Alicea, Vice President of Operations at Luke's Lobster, is a powerhouse leader with a flair for adventure and innovation. A lifelong Jersey girl now making waves in NYC! Maria is passionate about business operations, leadership development, always pushing boundaries to drive excellence in operations and guest service! Known for her adrenaline-filled escapades like skydiving, parasailing in the Caribbean, and zip-lining in Puerto Rico, she brings the same energy and passion to her work. With a proven track record in boosting sales, reducing costs, and developing top talent! Maria's unique blend of professional prowess and adventurous spirit makes her an inspiring and fun leader at Luke's Lobster. 

Jonathan Roscoe was born and raised in New York City. He has been working in food service since he was 16 years old. Roscoe is a big football fan, and in his free time you can usually find him watching movies or hanging with his little man Lucas, his 2-year-old son. Roscoe is happy to be part of the Luke’s Lobster family!

With hopes of making some cash and biking throughout the city, Brian got on Craigslist and applied for Luke's Lobster. In 2015, he started out as a delivery biker and earned his nickname B$. He became an official Teammate continuing at FiDi and most recently Brooklyn Bridge Park. As a shack veteran, he traded the kitchen counter for a desktop and joined the Finance team in 2023. He's a huge baseball fan and loves movies.

Paul is a Maryland native who has lived in PG County his entire life. He loves sports and is a fan of the Washington Commanders, Capitals, Mystics, Wizards, and the Baltimore Orioles, and actually grew up living less than five minutes from FedEx Field. Paul was a pretty decent High School wrestler and wrestled for the Maryland National Team.
Paul has 18 years of experience in the food service industry, starting when he was 16-years-old. He spent 17 years with Ruby Tuesday, where he held every position before eventually getting promoted to GM in 2015 and traveling from Pennsylvania to Virginia to help train and develop new managers and turn around underperforming locations.
He spends most of his free time with his family, which includes five siblings, his wife, and her family. He's known as the fun uncle or "Funkle" of eight kids whom he loves spending time with. On his days off, he's normally looking for some interesting to cook with his wife, binge-watching a new series, watching professional wrestling or whatever sport is on that day, or just laughing at some comedy special or podcast.

Steve Song is the Chief Financial Officer for Luke's Lobster having joined the crew in 2016. Prior to Luke's Lobster, he spent 14 years as a private equity investment professional working with various companies and management teams across a variety of industries. He began his career at JPMorgan in 2001 before working at hedge funds and private equity firms including Magnetar Capital and Altpoint Capital. 

Since 2011, Steve has also served a Board Member of Minds Matter of NYC, a nonprofit organization serving low-income high school students, and served as its board chair until 2018. He has served on the Board of Directors for private companies, including Ford Models, AHN International and Sanchez Resources. Steve graduated with a joint Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics-Mathematics from Columbia University in 2001.  He has traveled to over 30 countries and has watched a game at every Major League Baseball stadium. He is based in New York City.

Michael, known better around the pier by his nickname Mikey, has been with Luke's since the fall of 2020. He spent his first year as a dishwasher but quickly became a very important part of the team. Showing a natural talent and genuine passion for the food service industry, Mikey started taking on more responsibilities and became a positive leader for the kitchen staff. Treating his teammates and managers like family and striving for a positive and fun working environment, Mikey takes great pride in his work and loves being a part of not only the Luke's family but also helping learn more about and supporting the seafood industry in his hometown. As of January 2024, Mikey has officially transitioned to his first management role, becoming the Assistant Kitchen Manager of our flagship restaurant on the Portland Pier. A lifelong resident of the city of Portland, Mikey loves spending his time bouncing all over, soaking in all he can. Taking long walks around town, going to Seadogs and Mariners games, and taking his beloved wife Nikita out to eat at several of the Old Port's best restaurants. Mikey's favorite thing is his love of all things music, and he can often be spotted at any number of venues in Portland, usually front and center, rocking out and having a great time.

Rosie grew up in a small fishing community on a little island off Portland, Maine. Her father is a 3rd generation fisherman. She grew up knowing how to drive a skiff (small boat), haul traps with friends, and be on boats in general. She even had her own student lobster license when she was younger. She always knew she wanted to be part of the lobster industry, so when Rosie heard that Lukes was opening a restaurant in Portland, she applied for a job. She started as a host, took a brief hiatus when Lukes shut down during COVID-19, and once she returned, she worked her way into serving. Rosie finished college while working at the restaurant and became an FOH Manager in December 2023. Rosie was a runner in college, so she now participates in many road races. She even has encouraged Luke's members to join her in forming a team to raise money for Maine Coastal Fishermen and Tri For a Cure.

Frank comes to the Luke’s family from the Garden State of New Jersey, where he started his career in the industry and cooked at New York-style pizza joints. The fates brought him up north to Maine after seeing 44 states, where he fine-tuned his skills and bounced back and forth between front and back-of-house roles.  Frank developed a knack for numbers and an eye for maximizing efficiencies. Combining that with his ability to get his arms around larger management projects got him recognized and earned him opportunities all the way up to the general manager level with The 99 Restaurants family in New England. With the 99, he helped keep things going as he worked through the pandemic at multiple locations.  
Frank enjoys going south (even when it's hot) to visit his family for vacations and can be found on the links in the summer and in the mountains during the winter.  
“A-a-ayyyy, I’m on vacation every single day ‘cause I love my occupation”

Noelia was born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. After graduating college, she moved to New York City in 2011 on impulse with $300 to her name. While working for a big retail company, Noelia soon realized that a full-time job wasn’t enough to survive in NYC and she needed a second job, and that’s how her journey at Luke’s Lobster began back in 2015. Noelia started as a delivery driver and teammate and worked her way to becoming a shift leader.
After 7 years in NYC, and the last 3 years of those at Luke’s, she made the decision to move to Chicago to be closer to my best friend and transferred to the Luke’s City Hall shack.
When not at Luke's, she’s probably at a concert (been to over 70+ concerts and counting), on an adventure with her dog Riley Earp, or yelling at the tv on game days as a die-hard Lakers fan.

Born in Washington State, but having moved away as a wee baby, joining the Pike Street team is something of a homecoming for Michelle! Her early childhood was spent in Florida, fishing with her grandfather and soaking up golden rays of sunshine. When she moved to New York City in her teenage years, she quickly picked up work in restaurants, and eventually went on to obtain her degree in Restaurant Management. Working in various greasy spoons around NYC was a blast for about 10 years, but with the onset of Covid, Michelle quickly pivoted to performing remote management work for a nonprofit organization (which she refers to as her "hiatus from restaurants".) When the opportunity arose to join the Luke's team in Seattle, she packed her bags, stuffed everything she could fit into her car, and drove across the country. When not crushing rolls, Michelle loves hanging with her two cats, binging reality TV, and spending time with family.

Owen is a Maine native with over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry. His incredible passion for hospitality and extensive beverage expertise have shaped a remarkable career that has seen him rise from Server and Bartender to General Manager and ultimately Beverage Director of J.Group, a prestigious hospitality group founded by James Beard-nominated restaurateur Jay McSharry.

Throughout his journey, Owen has honed his skills at renowned establishments including Moxy, recognized for its James Beard-nominated Best New Chef, as well as Walker's Maine, Graze + Vine, AC Hotels by Marriott, and CREW Ogt. He is known for his innovative approach to service and beverage programs, consistently elevating the guest experience.

Outside of work, Owen cherishes his time on the water, enjoys skiing, and spends hours at the pottery studio. He loves sharing adventures with his husband, Jordan, and their three beloved dogs, Henry, Gus, and Perry.

Estefany was born and raised in beautiful Puerto Rico. Her first love was fashion—she studied high fashion and sewing in college and dreamt of a creative career in design. However, life had other plans. In 2015, Estefany decided to take a leap and move to New York City, just to see what it would be like. She quickly fell in love with the city's energy and decided to stay.Her first job in New York was in a restaurant, a completely new experience that ultimately shaped her career. It was also during this time that Estefany met her amazing husband. Today, they’re happily married and share their home with their sassy cat, Taquito. They love spending time together, making cocktails, and painting.Whenever she can, Estefany travels back to Puerto Rico to visit her mom and dad, reconnecting with her roots and the family that shaped her. Life has been an unexpected adventure, and she’s incredibly grateful for every moment.

After earning his B.A. in Business, Kouider set off to explore the world. His journey began in London, where he took his first industry job as a dishwasher, despite not speaking a word of English. To fund his adventures through Southeast Asia, he spent several seasons on the French Riviera working as a line cook. A brief return to France for mandatory military service was followed by a move to the Caribbean, where he split his time working as an insurance agent and bartending at a timeshare hotel.

In 1998, Kouider arrived in the U.S. for the first time, settling in Germantown, Maryland. There, he studied English at College Park University while gaining experience in various industry roles. In 2005, he moved to New York City, where he would find the place he’d finally call home. That same year, he joined Balthazar, a decision that would shape his professional life. Within 18 months, Kouider was promoted to Floor Manager, and before long, he became Senior Restaurant Manager and Maître’d, leading a team of 10 front-of-house managers. Balthazar was also where he met his wife, Melissa, and where they welcomed their daughter, Noor.

After 15 fulfilling years at Balthazar, and navigating the challenges of COVID-19, it was time for Kouider and his family to begin a new chapter. Portland proved to be the perfect fit, and Luke’s Lobster presented the ideal opportunity to continue his journey in the restaurant industry he loves.