Montgomery brings more than two decades of hospitality experience to oversee beverage strategy
COLUMBUS, OH – Cameron Mitchell Restaurants is proud to announce that Zach Montgomery will be taking on the role of Director of Beverage, overseeing the beverage programs for all concepts including specialty concepts, Ocean Prime and Rusty Bucket.
Montgomery brings 21 years of experience with the company to the new role, having started his career as an hourly team member at Mitchell’s Ocean Club while earning his hospitality degree from The Ohio State University. Throughout his tenure, he has held a variety of leadership positions supporting the growth and success of Ocean Prime locations across the country, including Dining Room Manager, Beverage Manager, Assistant General Manager, General Manager and, most recently, Regional Director. At the time of his promotions to General Manager and Regional Director, Montgomery was the youngest associate to hold each role in company history, reflecting his drive, leadership and commitment to excellence.
“Zach’s passion for hospitality, commitment to excellence and deep understanding of our beverage program make him the ideal leader for this role,” said David Miller, president and COO of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. “He has consistently demonstrated the ability to develop teams, uphold our standards and create exceptional guest experiences. We are excited to see him bring that same leadership to our beverage program.”
As Director of Beverage, Montgomery oversees beverage strategy and program development across the CMR and Rusty Bucket portfolios. He works closely with the beverage team to strengthen communication, support operational excellence and identify opportunities to enhance beverage offerings and drive continued success.
In this new role, Montgomery looks forward to expanding the beverage experience across concepts through strong industry partnerships, constant innovation, creative cocktail development and a continued focus on evolving guest preferences, including a growing interest in health-conscious beverage options. He is committed to identifying emerging trends and elevating beverage programs with the consistency, attention to detail and operational excellence that have defined his career.
“Having spent my entire career with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, I am honored to step into this position,” said Montgomery. “The support, mentorship and empowerment I’ve received throughout my journey have helped shape me as a leader, and I’m grateful to work alongside such an incredible beverage team. Our beverage programs play an important role in creating memorable guest experiences, and I look forward to supporting our teams, strengthening our partnerships, continuing to innovate and building on the incredible foundation already in place.”
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About Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
Founded by Cameron Mitchell in 1993, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, LLC (CMR) has built a diverse portfolio of varied concepts, ranging from multi-location upscale destinations to single neighborhood favorites. Today, CMR operates 50 restaurants company-wide under 20 different concepts, with 23 locations in Columbus, Ohio, including Budd Dairy Food Hall. In addition, Cameron Mitchell Premier Events, the premier catering and event planning company in central Ohio, oversees three venues in Columbus. The national Ocean Prime brand has 21 locations in 15 states plus the District of Columbia. The Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern, a sister company of CMR, currently operates 17 locations in three states. CMR and the various concepts have received numerous culinary, leadership, entrepreneur, community service and readers’ choice awards. For more information, visit CameronMitchell.com.
In October 2025, Cameron Mitchell was inducted into the Culinary Institute of America’s Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors in the culinary world, recognizing his contributions and leadership in the industry. Additionally, the CIA dedicated the entrance gate to the Alumni Walk of Fame as Mitchell Gate, recognizing Mitchell’s active support for the college.
As seen on CNN, Forbes and Smart Business, Mitchell shares his story and the wisdom he has gained through the years in his book ‘Yes is the Answer. What is the Question?’ available at ShopCameronMitchell.com.