---
title: "Skyline Chili Announces Business Leader as its Chairman and Interim CEO"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/51e5386c-6a95-4926-86c5-aa6403a6acc6
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20230612_skyline_chili_announces_business_leader_as_its_chairman_and_interim_ceo.html
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit","People"]
published: 2023-06-12T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:08:46.852Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1554469384-e58fac16e23a?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Skyline Chili Announces Business Leader as its Chairman and Interim CEO

**TL;DR:** Skyline Chili has appointed Richard F. Williams as Chairman and interim CEO, replacing Kevin R. McDonnell who is retiring. McDonnell had sold a portion of his stake in the company to the Williams family in 2020 and has now transferred his entire ownership position to them.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-06-12. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20230612_skyline_chili_announces_business_leader_as_its_chairman_and_interim_ceo.html).*

## Story

In December 2020, McDonnell sold a portion of his stake in the company to the Williams family and their partners with an agreement to eventually transfer his entire ownership position to them, which has now happened.

Dick was appointed to the interim CEO role at Skyline by Tom Williams and Joe Williams. Tom is the CEO of Cincinnati-based North American Properties, Vice Chairman and a principal owner of the Cincinnati Reds, co-founder of Nehemiah Manufacturing Co., and a Board member of Skyline.

Joe Williams is Chairman of both North American Properties and the Cincinnati Reds. “We congratulate Kevin on leading and growing Skyline across his 32-year career with the company and wish him, his wife, Erica, and their family all the best,” said Tom Williams. “Dick is in the perfect position to lead Skyline at this time.

He’ll ensure that the company’s brand continues to shine and hold a special place in the hearts of Skyline fanatics.”

McDonnell joined Skyline in 1991 as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. In 1998, he was named the company’s CEO and Chairman of the Board. He has guided and grown the company through numerous events and economic environments during his tenure. For instance, he was instrumental in the company’s 1998 transition from being a public company to one owned by a private equity firm. In 2005, McDonnell led the return of Skyline to being a privately held Cincinnati-based company.

“I have personally known Tom Williams for decades and have always held him in high regard,” McDonnell said. “I’m thrilled that Tom and his family continue to steward Skyline as a privately held Cincinnati-based company.”

“Our family is honored and feels fortunate to be a part of this brand,” Dick Williams shared.

“As Cincinnati natives, our family prides itself on being aligned with companies our entire community supports. I am grateful to have the opportunity to assist on the front lines of Skyline’s operations through this transition period,” he added.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- private equity (topic)
- leadership change (topic)
- ownership transfer (topic)
- Skyline Chili (company)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20230612_skyline_chili_announces_business_leader_as_its_chairman_and_interim_ceo.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/51e5386c-6a95-4926-86c5-aa6403a6acc6).