Sam Fox UA Exec of Year
Sam Fox, CEO and founder of
Fox Restaurant Concepts, was
named the 2015 University of
Arizona Executive of the Year
at a mid-April luncheon at the
Westin La Paloma Resort in
Tucson. About 450 guests
attended the event.
Karl Eller, for whom the UA Eller College
of Management was named; Sam Fox;
and Stevie Eller
A Paradise Valley resident, Fox studied real estate finance at the University of Arizona and opened his first restaurant, Gilligan’s Bar & Grill in Tucson at age 20. Fox Restaurant Concepts currently has 44 locations and 15 unique concepts spanning seven states. Tucson’s Wildflower American Cuisine was the company’s first concept. Now based in Phoenix, Fox Restaurant Concepts includes Blanco Tacos & Tequila, True Food Kitchen, The Henry, Flower Child, North Italia, Culinary Dropout and several other popular restaurants. Together, his restaurant group employs nearly 4,000 people.
The University of Arizona Executive of the Year program was established by the Eller College National Board of Advisors in 1983 to honor individuals who exemplify executive qualities in private enterprise and public service. Recent honorees include Janet Napolitano, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and former Arizona Governor; Larry Baer, president and CEO of the San Francisco Giants; former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz.
