Del Taco today announced that Ed Wilroy has joined the company as senior director of research and development and Stacy Marler has been promoted senior director of quality assurance and food safety.

In this new position, Wilroy will lead the development team to create new menu items for the Mexican quick-serve chain. He has more than 15 years experience in culinary development and education and was previously the executive chef for Pick Up Stix. Wilroy holds a bachelors degree from Auburn University and earned a Culinary Arts Degree from Johnson & Wales, one of premier culinary schools in the country, where he was also director of continuing education.

A 13 year Del Taco veteran, Marler had been director of quality assurance and food safety. He oversees the company’s food safety efforts and manages quality assurance programs as well as supervising Del Taco’s comment line and customer service team. Prior to joining the company, he held quality assurance positions at Carl Karcher Enterprises (Carl’s Jr.) and Revlon Cosmetics. Marler also owned a food safety consulting firm where he helped manufacturers develop HACCP programs.

Wilroy and Marler report to Erickson.