Managing Partner
George Wu is a Pacific Northwest–based founder and operator who builds and stewards hospitality, food & beverage, and service businesses with a long-term mindset. He leads a growing portfolio of founder-led companies across corporate catering, venue food service, distribution, and facilities services, serving clients throughout Washington and Oregon.
At the core of George’s work is a belief that great businesses are built by taking care of people. He focuses on preserving the soul and legacy of the companies he partners with while investing in their teams, systems, and future. Known for his hands-on leadership style, George remains closely involved in strategy, culture, and talent development, while thoughtfully scaling operations with discipline and care.
George is passionate about building enduring organizations where employees are proud to belong, clients trust the partnership, and founders feel confident handing their life’s work to the next chapter.
Chief of Staff
Bandi serves as Chief of Staff for CaterCo Hospitality Group, bringing a well-rounded career rooted in the hospitality industry. She began her journey in hospitality as an event coordinator and went on to work in operations and management, gaining firsthand experience in both the execution and leadership sides of the business.
Her path ultimately led her to the back office, where she now supports the teams at scale by strengthening operations, refining internal processes, and helping create the structure needed for teams to thrive. With a deep respect for every role within CaterCo Hospitality, Bandi believes that it truly takes a village to build and sustain something great—and that no position is too big or too small. She is passionate about supporting people, fostering collaboration, and honoring the collective effort behind every successful event.
Chief Operating Officer
Anthony Paden is an accomplished hospitality leader with more than two decades of experience spanning luxury hospitality, hotels, restaurant operations, and special event management. As Chief Operating Officer, Anthony brings a deep passion for service, people, and innovation to his role, helping guide operations and support the continued growth of Caterco’s hospitality teams.
Originally from the Philadelphia area, Anthony attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York before spending nearly a decade in Washington, D.C., working across hotels and restaurants. After moving to Seattle, he became an integral part of Kaspars’ operational growth and leadership team.
Prior to stepping into his current role as Chief Operating Officer, Anthony served as General Manager and later as CEO for Kaspars, where he played a vital role in strengthening operations, developing teams, cultivating client relationships, and overseeing event execution at some of Seattle’s most iconic venues. His experience at every level of hospitality gives him a unique perspective on what it takes to create exceptional experiences for both clients and team members.
Anthony is known not only for his operational expertise, but also for his commitment to fostering a people-first culture. He believes that investing in people, building strong teams, and maintaining a high standard of service are at the heart of a successful hospitality organization. As COO, he continues to help shape the future of Kaspars and the Seattle event industry through thoughtful leadership, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.
Whether curating unforgettable events, strengthening operations, or mentoring the next generation of hospitality leaders, Anthony remains dedicated to leading with excellence—and heart.
Outside of work, Anthony is a proud husband and father of two. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, watching sports, and playing golf. And, of course, he’s always cheering on his Philadelphia Eagles. GO BIRDS!
Contract CFO
Chris is a seasoned executive leader with 26 years of experience across CPG, food, beverage, manufacturing, and distribution. He specializes in finance, accounting, IT, and operations, helping companies scale, improve efficiency, and drive growth while maximizing returns. Known for his collaborative approach, he partners closely with CEOs, boards, and leadership teams to guide strategy, mitigate risk, and develop high-performing finance teams.
Before joining CFO Selections, Chris held multiple leadership roles at Oberto Brands, ultimately serving as CFO, where he gained extensive experience in M&A, financial systems, banking, and team building. He also built a strong foundation at Kraft Foods, supporting strategic decision-making through budgeting, reporting, and financial planning.
Chris holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He lives in the Seattle area and enjoys family time, pickleball, BBQ, and walking.
Accounting Manager
CPA, MBA
Duane is one of those rare Seattle natives. He loves the outdoors and relishes in finding soliditude in the local mountains during backpacking trips. When the roads are dry you can often find him riding his motorcycle on the open road near Snoqualmie where he lives with his family. His wife helps manage a vet clinic so the house is often filled with all kinds of animals.
Duane loves learning and education, he graduated from the University of Oregon in just three years and soon after went back to school for an MBA and MPA. Not much later he attained his CPA and became an Enrolled Agent. Early career work involved management at some high-profile corporations. Other previous work experience includes working as a CFO and Director of Finance for various local nonprofit organizations. He also moonlights as an accountant and tax professional for small businesses, individuals and nonprofits.
Volunteerism includes serving as President and Treasurer of a local nonprofit, FIUTS. He also coached his kids’ soccer for one season when they were young. During those rare occasions of vacation, he enjoys cruises. When time allows, he and his wife will explore lesser visited locations around the Pacific NW during a weekend.
Design & Marketing Coordinator
Kari serves as the Design & Marketing Coordinator, bringing a creative and strategic approach to brand storytelling and digital presence. With a background in Integrated Marketing Communication, she has a strong foundation in both visual and written communication.
Her experience spans social media management, graphic design, SEO, web design, email marketing, and content strategy. Kari supports the team by creating cohesive marketing materials and strengthening brand visibility across platforms. She enjoys blending creativity with data-driven strategy to help businesses connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. Passionate about thoughtful design and clear communication, Kari values collaboration and takes pride in helping teams communicate clearly and consistently across all platforms.
Area General Manager
Hector Porras is an accomplished hospitality leader with more than 14 years of experience in the catering and events industry and over 27 years of leadership and management experience. As Area General Manager, Hector oversees operations across the organization, working to strengthen teams, support continued growth, and uphold the high standards of service that have made our catering companies trusted names in Seattle.
Hector began his career with The Catering Company as a server, bartender, and General Manager, gaining invaluable first-hand experience in every aspect of event service. That foundation has shaped his leadership philosophy and gives him a unique understanding of the people, processes, and teamwork required to execute exceptional events.
Over the years, Hector has grown through the organization while taking on increasing leadership responsibilities. His combination of hands-on hospitality experience and decades of management expertise allows him to approach challenges with both a practical and strategic perspective.
In his role as Area General Manager, Hector works closely with teams across the organization to create operational consistency, develop employees, strengthen client relationships, and ensure every event reflects the company’s commitment to quality and service. He is passionate about building strong teams and creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
General Manager of Kaspars
Derek is a Seattle native with a true passion for food and hospitality. After receiving his Culinary Arts degree from Seattle Culinary Academy, Derek started at Kaspars in 2011 as a Prep Cook. Through his talent, dedication, and leadership, he worked his way up to the Sous Chef position.
In 2022, after a brief stint running the kitchen at the Facebook Campus, Derek returned to Kaspars to lead the culinary team as Chef de Cuisine. He later became Head Chef, continuing to elevate Kaspars’ culinary excellence before stepping into his current role as General Manager. Today, Derek oversees daily operations, supports the entire Kaspars team, and helps ensure every event reflects the exceptional quality and service the company is known for.
Outside of work, Derek loves spending time with his wife and his cat, and enjoying his other big passion besides cooking—the Seahawks!
General Manager of The Catering Company
Cassidy Bebee is a hospitality professional with five years of experience in the catering and events industry. As General Manager of The Catering Company, Cassidy plays a key role in leading day-to-day operations, supporting teams across the organization, and ensuring each event delivers the high level of service and quality for which the company is known.
Throughout her career, Cassidy has developed extensive experience in event coordination, hospitality operations, and corporate catering execution. She is passionate about creating seamless, high-quality events through thoughtful planning, clear communication, and hands-on leadership.
She works closely with kitchen teams, drivers, and office staff, helping unify all departments around a shared goal of exceptional service. She is known for fostering a positive, supportive atmosphere between teams, encouraging collaboration, mutual respect, and efficiency—especially in fast-paced event environments. Her commitment to teamwork and attention to detail help ensure every event runs smoothly and reflects Caterco’s standards of excellence.
General Manager of Chef Dane
Diana Dinthongsai is the General Manager of Chef Dane Catering, where she oversees operations with a focus on exceptional guest experiences, thoughtful service, and seamless event execution. With a deep understanding of hospitality logistics and client relationships, Diana plays a key role in ensuring every event reflects the company’s commitment to quality, creativity, and care.
In her role, Diana collaborates closely with culinary, sales, and operations teams to support both private and corporate events, maintaining high standards while adapting to the unique needs of each client. Her leadership style emphasizes organization, communication, and a people-first approach – both for clients and the teams behind the scenes.
Diana is passionate about building strong partnerships, supporting her staff, and creating events that feel effortless for clients while delivering memorable, elevated experiences.