we’re independent operators, with decades spent building restaurants, teams and experiences.

Expertise: Restaurant openings, multi-unit operations, operational systems, brand development

Amanda  is a classically trained pastry chef and hospitality operator with more than two decades of experience across Michelin-starred restaurants, Five Diamond hotels and acclaimed restaurant groups.

Known for her leadership in complex openings and multi-concept operations, Amanda has helped shape some of Austin’s most respected hospitality destinations.

In 2015, she joined New Waterloo to open South Congress Hotel, where she spent more than nine years leading pastry and culinary operations across multiple concepts. In late 2024, Amanda opened her flagship bakery, Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop, in East Austin.

Expertise: Concept development, culinary strategy, restaurant openings, creative direction

Erling is a chef and restaurateur known for building restaurants that balance bold culinary ideas with strong operational foundations.

He spent more than a decade with Off Hospitality Group in leadership roles at avec, The Publican, Publican Quality Meats, and Nico Osteria.

In 2017, he co-founded Underscore Hospitality with Josh Tilden, opening Pacific Standard Time, The Laurel Room and Maxwells Trading.

A four-time James Beard Foundation Best Chef: Great Lakes finalist, Erling is known for fostering collaborative teams and pairing creative ambition with operational clarity.

Expertise: Financial strategy, operational systems, multi-unit leadership, mentorship

Josh is a restaurateur and operator known for pairing sharp financial acumen with a deep understanding of hospitality systems.

After more than a decade with Lettuce Entertain You and One Off Hospitality Group, Josh co-founded Underscore Hospitality in 2017 with Chef Erling Wu-Bower. Together they opened the acclaimed Pacific Standard Time, The Laurel Room and Maxwells Trading.

Known for his curiosity around operational systems and his commitment to mentorship, Josh brings a measured, analytical approach to hospitality.

Expertise: Sales strategy, event production, human resources, training programs

Jess is a sales and operations expert with more than a decade of experience building and incentivizing strong teams and leading scalable sales and events programs. 

She began her career producing large-scale fundraisers for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, where she developed a strong foundation in institutional partnerships and the ability to translate complex initiatives into clear, actionable plans. Jess went on to oversee catering and events programs for One Off Hospitality Group’sThe Publican and Publican Quality Meats, as well as Underscore Hospitality’s Pacific Standard Time. She later directed recruiting, training and human resources initiatives at Milwaukee’s White Lodging.

Most recently, Jess reunited with Underscore Hospitality to open Maxwells Trading, where she spearheads operations and private events. Jess brings a thoughtful approach to leadership, developing programs that are both people-centered and performance-driven.

Expertise: Brand & marketing strategy, event production, media relations, project management

Jenna is a marketing strategist and producer with more than 13 years of experience connecting brands to culture through thoughtful storytelling and experiential programming.

She built and led both a restaurant marketing agency and an independent creative studio, developing large-scale events, multimedia content and marketing campaigns for global brands including Lollapalooza, Soho House, S.C. Johnson, Guinness and Ketel One, as well as independent food & beverage brands including One Off Hospitality Group, Maxwells Trading, Hopewell Brewing and Crafthouse Cocktails.

Her work in brand positioning, media strategy and experiential programming places brands meaningfully within the cultural conversation.