White Castle has elevated Melissa Palmisciano to vice president and general counsel, marking a significant leadership change at America’s oldest fast-food hamburger chain.
Palmisciano, who previously served as deputy general counsel, succeeds Anthony Joseph, who recently assumed the role of company president.
The appointment brings a decorated military veteran to the C-suite of the Columbus, Ohio-based restaurant and consumer packaged goods company. Palmisciano’s career includes more than two decades of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, where she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2020 after holding various positions including intelligence officer, defense counsel, prosecutor, and staff legal adviser.
“Melissa sets a high standard through the tenacity and diligence she exhibits to model White Castle’s value of continuous improvement,” Joseph said. “Her clarity of thought and strong work ethic will serve her well as she steps into her new role. She’s a great partner and source of support for her fellow leaders at White Castle, and a tremendous contributor to our efforts to be a great place to work.”
Prior to joining White Castle as corporate counsel in 2018, Palmisciano, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, honed her legal expertise at prominent law firms BakerHostetler and Jones Day in Columbus.
The executive transition comes as White Castle, a family-owned enterprise founded in 1921, continues to expand its presence through approximately 340 restaurants and a growing retail division that distributes its signature Sliders in grocery stores nationwide.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to serve as White Castle’s next vice president and general counsel,” Palmisciano said. “During my time in the Marine Corps, I learned that effective leadership requires decisiveness, clear communication and a strong focus on continuous improvement. I’m thankful to be part of a team at White Castle that is focused on our mission of ‘creating memorable moments’ for our customers and team members for generations to come — and looking forward to what I’m able to contribute through my new role.”
Find out more at: https://www.whitecastle.com