Longtime Darden executive Steve Otto was hired to serve as vice president of manufacturer partnerships for the Marcone Group Commercial Kitchen Division, which distributes parts for commercial kitchen equipment.

In this newly created role, Otto “will facilitate partnerships” with original equipment manufacturers in the commercial kitchen arena, per a company release.

Otto spent 30 years with multiconcept operator Darden Restaurants, where he most recently served as director, Capital Equipment and Strategic Sourcing. In that capacity, he worked with manufacturers to ensure Darden locations had access to necessary equipment. He also served as a judge for the National Restaurant Association’s Kitchen Innovation Awards.

A longtime time distributor of home appliance, HVAC, and plumbing repair parts and equipment, Marcone entered the commercial kitchen parts arena in September 2021 when it formed the Marcone Group Commercial Kitchen Division.