Walter George Ehmer (May 26, 1966 – September 6, 2024) was an American businessman. He was the president, chief executive officer and chairman of Waffle House from 2012 until his death in 2024.
Walt Ehmer | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 26, 1966 New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | September 6, 2024 (aged 58) |
| Education | Georgia Institute of Technology (BS) |
| Known for | CEO of Waffle House |
| Spouse | Kara Petracek[1] |
| Children | 3 |
Life and career
editEhmer was born on May 26, 1966, in New Jersey.[1][2] He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering.[3] Ehmer began his career at Allen-Bradley.[3]
Ehmer joined Waffle House in 1992.[3] He was appointed vice president of finance in 1999, chief financial officer in 2001, president in 2006, CEO in 2012, and chairman in 2022.[3] [2]
Ehmer was on the board of directors of Aaron's, Inc.,[4] as well as a member of the board of trustees for the Atlanta Police Foundation.[5]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Ehmer announced in a letter to employees that to allow the company more cash flow, he would voluntarily reduce his pay to half its normal rate while Joe Rogers Jr. would be forgoing any and all compensation for his work with the company.[6]
In 2023, Ehmer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.[7] He died from complications of a treatment for his cancer on September 6, 2024, at the age of 58.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Tumin, Remy (September 9, 2024). "Walt Ehmer, Former Waffle House C.E.O., Dies at 58". The New York Times. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "Aaron's Inc (AAN:New York): Walter G. Ehmer". Bloomberg. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Bell, Kandice (July 24, 2016). "Waffle House CEO on success: Just bacon and eggs". The Newnan Times-Herald. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- ^ "Board of Directors". Aaron's, Inc. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- ^ "Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer has died at age 58". The Independent. Associated Press. September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ Company letter to all Waffle House, Inc. employees, titled "Update on the Impact of COVID - 19" dated March 17, 2020
- ^ "Walter George Ehmer". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
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