Ralph Brennan, a third-generation restaurateur, was elected chairman of the board of The Culinary Institute of America. He succeeds Robert Muh, an investment banker.

Brennan is the owner and operator of The Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, which includes Red Fish Grill, Ralph's on the Park, Café NOMA, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen and Jazz Kitchen Express, Ralph Brennan's Catering & Events, and Napoleon House. In partnership with his friend Terry White, he owns the iconic Brennan's on Royal Street in New Orleans. In addition, Brennan owned and operated the DiRoNa Award-winning BACCO restaurant for 20 years.

Over the course of his career, Brennan has been very active in the restaurant industry. He served as chairman and president of the National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and presided over both the Louisiana Restaurant Association and the New Orleans Restaurant Association.

The CIA Board of Trustees consists of 25 highly leaders in the foodservice industry and business world that provides expert governance and guidance for the not-for-profit college and are not compensated for their services.