My name: George Valverde

Business name: Dillon’s KC BBQ

Title/position: Chief Executive Officer

Locations: Surprise (World Wildlife Zoo), Glendale (59th Ave. and the Loop 101), Peoria (Bayou at Lake Pleasant) and Morristown (Western Trails Ranch) . We’ve been in business since 1999, we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary as a company.

Hours of Operation: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Professional Background: I’ve been in the restaurant business since I was 16. I’ve been involved my entire life.

What I am excited about and why?: I love networking and meeting people. They’re the ones that keep us in business. Our business motto is Elite, Unique Locations and Memorable Experiences. We model ourselves as a Destination Location.

Community Involvement: Fundraising and special events. We do that to pay it forward, We love hosting events to be able to pay it forward. The opportunities to network with other people and to be able to pay things forward. For example, on Jan. 20 we are doing an event with Alzheimer’s and giving away $1,000 to a foundation. And on Jan. 25 we’re working with the town of Morristown and a child trafficking event, where we’ll give another $1,000 to a foundation.

What am I most proud about: I have employees that go back with me as far as 1995. That is what we call dedication and those employees help us grow as a company.

What am I promoting: We have won numerous awards for our BBQ and our appetizers. Our Lake Pleasant and Morristown locations also have souvenir stores inside them.

Family: Single, with two daughters in their 20s.