Under the new restructuring plan recently announced by CiCi’s Pizza, CEO Michael R. Shumsky promoted Forbes Anderson to chief strategic officer, Tim Alba to chief financial officer, and Chris Patterson to director of people development. The restructuring resulted in new organizational re-alignments to better support the CiCi’s franchisees.
Anderson is charged with heading up CiCi’s Franchise Development Department, a merger of the Real Estate, Franchising, and Construction departments. His focus will be on strategic and long-term growth for the company, including potential acquisitions. Anderson joined CiCi Enterprises LP in 1996 and was previously chief financial officer for the chain.
“Forbes has been involved with CiCi’s Pizza for more than a decade, working to strategically position the company for accelerated growth,” Shumsky says. “His extensive experience combined with his oversight of the newly created Franchise Development Department will provide this group the leadership needed to improve efficiency while ensuring that all involved will be working cohesively towards the same metrics.”
Tim Alba was promoted to CiCi’s Pizza chief financial officer. Alba joined CiCi Enterprises LP in January 1998 and previously served as vice president/corporate controller for the accounting, financial, and administrative aspects of the pizza chain.
“Tim Alba brings extraordinary credentials to the role of CFO at CiCi’s Pizza,” Anderson says. “His incredible passion and focus are crucial to the on going success of our brand and our continued plans for growth. He is a true example of why succession plans are so important.”
In addition to Anderson and Alba, Chris Patterson, who has been with the company for 16 years, was promoted from senior corporate trainer to director of people development under Franchise Services. His responsibilities will be to provide knowledge, tools, and passion to the CiCi’s family. Patterson will be involved in creating and developing exciting new tools and resources to grow CiCi’s leaders.
“Chris’ dedication to the CiCi’s brand and his intense desire to help everyone be great makes him the perfect selection to lead our People Development team,” says Steve Hawter, vice president of franchise services for CiCi’s. “CiCi’s franchisees will benefit as Chris creates a state of the art training and development program that allows franchisees to develop leaders in their restaurants.”