Joan Koelbel, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Restaurant
Location: District of Columbia, North Carolina (Eastern & Western), Virginia
Joan Koelbel
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Restaurant Division | District of Columbia, Virginia & North Carolina
Phone: 704-780-1045 (X101) | Email: joan@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-koelbel-cpc-3295b12/
Credentials: CPC
About Joan
Joan Koelbel is a Franchise Partner with Gecko Hospitality serving the District of Columbia, Virginia and North Carolina markets. Joan’s focus: Culinary and management recruiting (DC, VA, NC) restaurants, specialty food service and higher education. Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality, joined in 2002, operating the franchise for North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington DC.
Background & Experience
Staffing restaurant culinary and management teams for food service operations including; independent, chain and airline. President’s Club member, Franchise Advisory Council, Advertising Committee and consistent top producer. Former Board of Directors member of NAPS (National Association of Personnel Services), and served on NAPS Credentialing, Bylaws and Ethics, and Membership committees.
Areas of Focus
Positions: Culinary and management teams; food services.
Markets served: District of Columbia, Virginia and North Carolina.
How Joan Evaluates Talent
When evaluating talent, we look beyond a candidate’s current role and focus on progression, accomplishments, leadership development, training, and the ability to elevate both themselves and the people around them. I like to see evidence of someone who has consistently taken on greater responsibility, delivered measurable results, and invested in developing others. I’m truly interested in examples of innovative or creative approaches to solving problems, building teams, and developing people in ways that move the business forward. A strong work ethic, positive attitude, humility, and genuine commitment to people are important. The best talent combines results, leadership, creativity, and character.
Joan’s Market Perspective
North Carolina is a dynamic and rapidly evolving market, growing, changing, and attracting significant investment and talent. It’s increasingly competitive and highly sought after, with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of opportunity across emerging and established markets.
Virginia and Washington, DC are more mature, highly active, and progressive markets, shaped by a sophisticated business environment and, particularly in DC, significant political and government influence. The pace is fast, competition for talent is strong, and success often requires navigating a complex mix of business, government, and economic factors.
Advice
For employers: Identify the point person on your side who will accept resumes, conduct interviews, and set the timeline to hire.
For candidates: Have your interview availability, from the next few days through the coming weeks, ready to go.
In Joan’s Words
“I believe people working is good for an individuals’ self-esteem, their families’ respect, and their communities’ economic health.”
Joan Koelbel, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Restaurant
Location: District of Columbia, North Carolina (Eastern & Western), Virginia
Joan Koelbel
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Restaurant Division | District of Columbia, Virginia & North Carolina
Phone: 704-780-1045 (X101) | Email: joan@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-koelbel-cpc-3295b12/
Credentials: CPC
About Joan
Joan Koelbel is a Franchise Partner with Gecko Hospitality serving the District of Columbia, Virginia and North Carolina markets. Joan’s focus: Culinary and management recruiting (DC, VA, NC) restaurants, specialty food service and higher education. Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality, joined in 2002, operating the franchise for North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington DC.
Background & Experience
Staffing restaurant culinary and management teams for food service operations including; independent, chain and airline. President’s Club member, Franchise Advisory Council, Advertising Committee and consistent top producer. Former Board of Directors member of NAPS (National Association of Personnel Services), and served on NAPS Credentialing, Bylaws and Ethics, and Membership committees.
Areas of Focus
Positions: Culinary and management teams; food services.
Markets served: District of Columbia, Virginia and North Carolina.
How Joan Evaluates Talent
When evaluating talent, we look beyond a candidate’s current role and focus on progression, accomplishments, leadership development, training, and the ability to elevate both themselves and the people around them. I like to see evidence of someone who has consistently taken on greater responsibility, delivered measurable results, and invested in developing others. I’m truly interested in examples of innovative or creative approaches to solving problems, building teams, and developing people in ways that move the business forward. A strong work ethic, positive attitude, humility, and genuine commitment to people are important. The best talent combines results, leadership, creativity, and character.
Joan’s Market Perspective
North Carolina is a dynamic and rapidly evolving market, growing, changing, and attracting significant investment and talent. It’s increasingly competitive and highly sought after, with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of opportunity across emerging and established markets.
Virginia and Washington, DC are more mature, highly active, and progressive markets, shaped by a sophisticated business environment and, particularly in DC, significant political and government influence. The pace is fast, competition for talent is strong, and success often requires navigating a complex mix of business, government, and economic factors.
Advice
For employers: Identify the point person on your side who will accept resumes, conduct interviews, and set the timeline to hire.
For candidates: Have your interview availability, from the next few days through the coming weeks, ready to go.
In Joan’s Words
“I believe people working is good for an individuals’ self-esteem, their families’ respect, and their communities’ economic health.”