The Desert Moon Management Team

The management team assembled by The Desert Moon ownership and its Board of Directors is one of the strongest ever assembled for a company of our current size. The team, with its diversified background contains all the tools necessary to carry out the plan and meet all of its objectives. Our management is a unique blend of 'hands on' operating talent from quick serve and fast casual companies such as the Original Soup Man, Burritoville, Dale & Thomas and Ranch *1 along with the financial disciplines of the International Public Accounting Firm of Ernst & Young. More importantly, they have individual records of accomplishment and success in all the required disciplines.

The team has a track record of accomplishment and success in building businesses. The Company has defined its strategic plan and quickly expanded operations from a three-unit company to a 13-unit chain in 6 states.

Fred J. Kirvan

President

As President, Fred J. Kirvan sets the strategy and directs operations for the Desert Moon Restaurant System. He leads the management team as they drive business results to create value for Desert Moon and its shareholders. Mr. Kirvan joined Desert Moon in 1992 under the tutelage of the concept founder. As the original unit level manager, Mr. Kirvan has worked in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility.  His years of extensive kitchen work, as well as his operational management record of accomplishment, position him as an expert in the fresh Mexican fast-casual industry. 

Barry Knepper

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Knepper brings with him more than thirty years of experience including over twenty five years as a CFO and with the international public accounting firm, Ernst and Young. His operating experience includes the service, franchise, manufacturing, retail, restaurant and entertainment fields. He has been successful in leading both turnaround situations as well as rapid growth including an IPO, two secondary public offerings and multiple acquisitions.

Mr. Knepper was CFO and CEO of Unitel Video, Inc., a publicly traded company, Mr. Knepper personally obtained approval for the first ever industrial development bond issued by the City of Los Angeles and also initiated the recovery of over one million dollars of federal, state and local tax credits. He arranged over $100 million in financing with banks and leasing companies to facilitate acquisitions and internal growth and lead the initial public offering of the Company.

His experience includes both franchise and intellectual property accounting having served as the CFO of franchisors Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips, Pudgies Famous Chicken; film production companies The Stigwood Group and Offline Entertainment; recorded music company, RSO Records; and music publisher, RSO Publishing. He gained his retail experience as the CFO of quick serve restaurant chains Wall Street Deli and BurritoVille.

As the treasurer of the trade group The International Teleproduction Society, he developed and implemented the industry’s first employee salary and capital expenditures survey. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Gotham City Networking and is a member of the Board of Directors of Coffee Holding Company, a publicly traded corporation.

Darren Yelin

Director of Franchise Sales

Mr. Yelin began his career in Broadcast Sales in 1991 with WABC-AM Radio in New York. Five years later, Mr. Yelin founded TD Advertising, a full service advertising agency that was responsible for everything from media placement to designing Ad campaigns. In 2001 Mr. Yelin founded Franchise Development Network Inc, a franchise development firm, which successfully developed several national franchise brands including Ranch *1, Fratelli Ravioli, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery, Little Scoops Party and Ice Cream stores.

In September of 2004, Mr. Yelin’s joined the The Original SoupMan as the Director of Franchising for the world famous “Soup Nazi”. In just under 3 years, Mr. Yelin took the SoupMan from 1 unit in NYC to 240 franchised units over three years in the US and Canada. Mr. Yelin is considered a franchise expert and is Board Member & Advisor for several emerging franchise brands.

Michelle Cullen

Operations Manager

Michelle is a Graduate of the Academy of Culinary Arts, Mays Landing NJ. After employed by Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in various restaurants throughout the hotel, she left to become part of the Jersey Shore floating management team at Wawa Food Markets with over 75 stores in NJ and PA. After returning to North Jersey opened The Graduate Deli & Cafe, Hackensack, owned and operated for seven years before joining the Desert Moon team in 2002. She is currently responsible for company operations, marketing, budget and sales. She is also responsible for the operation of the DM training center in Danbury, CT as well as the testing new products.