Leadership Bios

Management Crew

We seek to be the premier provider of quality seafood in the Dallas/Ft. Worth marketing area. 

Vearl Starnes

In 1966, Vearl Starnes purchased the KFC franchise territory for Jackson, Tennessee and building three stores. He sold his franchise in the late ‘70’s and accepted a position with Famous Recipe Fried Chicken. In 1981, FRFC was purchased by Shoney’s, Inc. and he served as the Group Vice President of the Lee’s Famous Recipe division of Shoney’s, Inc. He served as Executive Vice President of Captain D’s before purchasing the Captain D’s restaurants in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Starnes & Hale, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is the management company for 6 franchise Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen restaurants in the DFW area.

Lisa Starnes

President of DFW Captain D's.  Lisa Starnes became the President of Starnes & Hale, Inc. in 1995 and works directly with the experienced supervisory and management leadership for each restaurant.

Walter Balkon

Walter Balkon became director of financial office for DFW Captain D's 
in January of 1991.

Mollie Smith

Mollie Smith became Hospitality Supervisor in 1997 and has the responsibility for the day-to day counter hospitality operations in all 6 locations. Having prior experience in the food service industry, she began her career at Captain D’s as a cashier and has been with the Starnes’ team since its inception. She has worked her way through several D’s management positions, including Dining Room Manager. Her vivacious personality and superior work ethic are contagious making her the model for other Captain D’s operations.  Mollie has completed several leadership courses and is a graduate of D’s University. She has also obtained her Food Safety Certification.

Jimmy Nguyen

Jimmy Nguyen originally became area operations manager in August of 1998. 

Juan Caballero

Juan Caballero became the Store Manager for the Grand Prairie Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen restaurant in January of 2003.

Julia Osegueda

Julia Osegueda became the Store Manager for the Dallas Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen restaurant in November of 2001.

Victor Rios

Victor Rios became the Store Manager for the Duncanville Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen restaurant in  February of 2005.

Elias Tule

Elias Tule became the Store Manager for the Balch Springs Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen restaurant in 2002. His experience and aptitude for working with people of diverse backgrounds has proven to be vital to his success. He is the recipient of numerous awards including Outstanding Sales for the western region, Food Management and Workplace Safety. Prior to joining Captain D’s, he had food service experience with Mr. Taco and Luby’s. Elias has participated in leadership training meetings and has obtained his Food Safety Certification.

Guillermo Castaneda

Guillermo Castaneda became the Store Manager for the Fort Worth Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen restaurant in August of 1999.

Israel Gamboa

Israel Gamboa is the Store Manager for the Forest Hill Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen restaurant.