Multi-concept casual-dining company taps restaurant industry veterans Gueli and Bartholomay to lead operations efforts.

As part of a series of executive personnel moves, Real Mex Restaurants named Rio Gueli and Mark Bartholomay executive vice presidents of operations.

In his new role, Gueli oversees half of the restaurant operations for the company's different concepts, including El Torito, Las Brisas and Who Song & Larry. Geuli also oversees the Manager in Training program as well as non-exempt team member training programs. He most recently served as director of food and beverage at Bass Pro Group. Prior to that he was director of operations at Houston-based Landry's Restaurants, focusing on West Coast Operations for the Joe's Crab Shack chain.

Bartholomay oversees such chains as Chevy's, Acapulco, El Torito Grill, Sinigual and El Paso Cantina. He also oversees banquet/catering, beverage development, construction and facilities. Prior to joining Real Mex, Bartholomay served as chief development officer for Hurricane Grill and Wings, COO at Kona Grill Corporation, VP of Business Development at Famous Dave's of America, and SVP of International Development and Operations at Rainforest Café.

Other Real Mex executive appointments include: Blake Barnett to chief financial officer; Jared Dougherty to senior vice president of marketing; Thanh Ninh to senior vice president of human resources and Andy Mai to senior vice president and chief information officer.