Dennis Kessler

Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship Office: CS-4-110A Carol Simon Hall Phone: (585) 276-3500 Email: dennis.kessler@simon.rochester.edu

Professor Kessler is co-owner of Kessler Restaurants LLC, a Rochester, N.Y.-based owner and operator of 21 Burger King and 47 Friendly’s restaurants. Kessler has 27 years experience in restaurant ownership, real estate and human resource development. He employs about 3,000 workers in central and western New York State and is the largest Friendly’s franchise restaurant owner in the country. He has led a number of successful start-up companies and is a member of the Council of Advisors for Gerson Lehrman Group Inc., an international association of academic and industry thought leaders consulting for leading investment professionals worldwide.

Kessler is a member of the board of trustees of the University of Rochester Medical Center, chairman and commissioner of the City of Rochester Civil Service Commission, founding board member of the Rochester Education Foundation and a past board member of The Boy Scouts of America. He also serves as an advisor to local law enforcement agencies on matters pertaining to business.

B.S.,

City University of New York

M.A., Sociology,

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

M.S.L.,

Yale University Law School

LL.M.

Northwestern University School of Law

Certificate of Business Administration

Instituto de Empresa, Madrid, Spain