Martha Madison
Founder | The Madison Collective
At the heart of The Madison Collective is Martha Madison, a long time restaurateur, business owner and executive recruiter. With a rich and varied background in the hospitality industry, Martha brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the recruitment process. Her journey in hospitality began in the operational trenches of New York City, where she not only honed her management skills but also developed a deep understanding of the industry's nuances and needs. Martha's entrepreneurial spirit led her to become a Managing Partner for five of her own successful restaurants throughout Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, further solidifying her business acumen and compassionate approach to teamwork and leadership.
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Transitioning from a hands-on hospitality professional to a seasoned recruiter, Martha spent seven years as an executive recruiter building a prominent client list as well as a network of top tier candidates throughout every major market in the US. Her talent for understanding brand initiatives and identifying and nurturing future leaders has enabled her to place candidates with some of the country's finest restaurants, hotels, and other renowned hospitality brands.
At The Madison Collective, we believe that the right match can transform an organization. Our approach is personalized and strategic, ensuring that we understand the unique needs of both our clients and candidates. We strive to create connections that lead to lasting relationships and mutual success.
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Join us at The Madison Collective, where your hospitality career or business can reach new heights under the guidance and expertise of Martha Madison and her dedicated team. Together, we'll shape the future of hospitality, one placement at a time.
Connect
Martha@Madison-Collective.com
323-380-0795
AJ Gilbert
Vice President of
Business Development
AJ Gilbert is a seasoned restaurateur and entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in hospitality and restaurant technology. He first earned recognition as the Founding Partner of the celebrated neighborhood restaurants Luna Park in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and NYC, known for their lively atmosphere and approachable, global cuisine.
In 2012, he co-founded ChefSheet, a free cloud-based inventory management system that helps restaurants, bars, and catering businesses streamline purchasing and control costs. With decades spent leading hospitality ventures across the country from concept to exit, Gilbert brings a unique blend of creativity, operational insight, and business innovation to the evolving food and beverage industry.​​​
Brooke Burton
Recruiting Partner
Brooke Burton is a seasoned hospitality professional in the restaurant industry, boasting over two decades of expertise in food and beverage management. With a rich background in overseeing acclaimed fine dining establishments, bakeries, cafés, and smart-casual restaurants, Burton offers a wealth of operational knowledge and team-building acumen.
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With a successful track record spanning more than five years in full-cycle recruitment, Burton also excels in building out training programs, leading L&D initiatives and consistently delivering measurable results. She specializes in effective communication, implementing process-driven strategies, and remains dedicated to assisting clients with cultivating exceptional teams with a heartfelt focus on diversity and inclusion.​​​​​​​​​​​
Recruiting Partner
Larry Scher
Larry Scher began his hospitality career in the kitchen at 22 while earning his bachelor’s at the Art Institute of California. His passion for the culinary arts led him to hospitality, but he sought a deeper understanding of restaurant operations. Transitioning to front-of-house, he moved into management, spending 15 years leading single- and multi-unit restaurant groups, including as Director of Operations for REISSCO and Zooies Cookies.
He also oversaw recruiting and openings for Tendergreens and American Gonzo Food Group, managing hiring and training. Larry values strong communication, service excellence, and team culture. His experience equips him to connect clients with top candidates and strategic recruiting solutions.​​
Positions we recruit for:
C SUITE
VICE PRESIDENT
HOTEL GENERAL MANAGERS
MANAGING DIRECTORS
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES / PEOPLE
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
DIRECTOR OF REVENUE MANAGEMENT
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
DIRECTOR OF ROOMS
DIRECTOR OF HOUSEKEEPING
DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE
DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING
DIRECTOR OF IT
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
GENERAL MANAGER
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER
SERVICE DIRECTORS
BAR MANAGER
BEVERAGE DIRECTORS
WINE DIRECTORS
SOMMELIER
MAITRE D
​​CATERING MANAGER
EXECUTIVE STEWARD
DIRECTOR OF CULINARY
EXECUTIVE CHEF
EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF
SOUS CHEF
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
HUMAN RESOURCES COORDINATORS
SALES MANAGERS
EVENT SALES MANAGER
GROUP SALES LEADERS
LEISURE AND TRANSIENT SALES LEADERS
CONTROLLERS
BRANDING DIRECTORS
MARKETING MANAGERS
FRONT DESK MANAGERS
FRONT OFFICE MANAGERS
HOUSEKEEPING MANAGERS
F&B MANAGERS
REVENUE MANAGERS
GUEST SERVICES
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
PERSONAL ASSISTANT
BUTLER
EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER
Markets of Expertise
Los Angeles | New York | San Francisco | Austin | Dallas | New Orleans | Portland | San Diego | Houston | Nashville | Chicago | DC | Philadelphia | Boston | Miami