Brett Itterman
Chief Executive Officer
Brett Itterman serves as the Chief Executive Office of Pentex Restaurant Group. A graduate of North Dakota State University and Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, he is responsible for the company’s management, operations and development. He is a member of Taco John’s Presidential Council and serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Taco John’s Franchisees. Prior to joining Pentex Restaurant Group he worked for Huron Consulting Group, United Health Group and MBA Building Supplies. Brett lives in Fargo with his wife, Katie, and their children; he enjoys skiing, hunting and spending time at the lake.
Donzell Brown
Vice President of Operations
Donzell Brown joined Pentex Restaurant Group in 2025 as Vice President of Operations. Donzell brings 20+ years of service industry experience to the team, having started his career as a team member and working his way up through multiple leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Operations at KBP Brands, overseeing performance across multiple quick-service restaurant brands. Donzell is recognized for his people-first leadership style, with a proven track record of developing leaders, building high-performing teams, driving strong operational results, and creating great guest experiences. Donzell holds a degree in Business Management from Eastern Kentucky University. Outside of work, Donzell enjoys traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with his beautiful wife and 3 lovely daughters.
Irene Zinniel
Director of Support Operations
Irene Zinniel was promoted to Director of Support Operations in the fall of 2023. Previously she was serving as the District Manager for Pentex’s South Dakota Taco John’s. Irene joined the Pentex team in March 2021. Irene brings 25+ years of experience to the team, she started as a QSR assistant manager and then progressed into multi-unit management in the hospitality/restaurant/people industry overseeing up to 72 locations at a time. Irene currently lives in Sioux Falls SD. When she is not working, she is spending time with her 3 kids and 3 grandchildren. Irene also enjoys gardening, camping, and has a strong love for traveling. Irene holds a degree from South Central College for Emergency Medicine where she spent 15 years as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Marcy Barrett
District Manager
Marcy Barrett is District Manager for Pentex’s MinnDak Taco John’s. She joined Pentex Restaurant Group in 1979; her experience began as team member and has included positions as General Manager and Quality and Service Lead. In 2015, Marcy was honored with Taco John’s Manager of the Year Award. Marcy is a graduate of Northern State University. In her free time, she enjoys spending Sundays with her granddaughters.
Michelle Millen
District Manager
Michelle Millen is District Manager for Pentex’s Missouri and Illinois Taco John’s. Michelle joined the Pentex team in October 2022. Michelle started as an assistant manager and then progressed into multi-unit management in the QSR industry. Along with her QSR operations leadership roles, she also spent time working in corporate franchising as a Franchise Business Consultant. Michelle currently lives in Kansas City MO. (But escapes to Florida as often as she can) In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her 3 kids and granddaughter. Michelle also enjoys shopping, thrifting, crafts, and interior decorating.
Michael Tolliver
District Manager
Michael Tolliver is the District Manager for Pentex’s South Dakota Taco John’s. Before his QSR days, Michael was in the construction world for over 12 years, working for a company and owning his own. Michael started in the QSR industry in 2007. He has been everything from Assistant Manager to a Director of Operations overseeing 34 stores. Michael also owned his own pizza franchise and coffee shop. Michael lives just outside of Sioux Falls, SD with his wife and 5 children. When not working he enjoys spending time with his family playing games, baking, and smoking meat on his green egg. Michael also enjoys working on construction projects at home.
Jason Leibowitz
District Manager
Jason Leibowitz is the District Manager for Pentex’s Iowa Taco John’s locations. Jason joined the Pentex team in November 2024. Jason has over 15 years of QSR restaurant industry experience working with McDonalds, Subway and Burger King. Jason started as a team member and progressed his way to up to multi-unit management. He is very passionate about helping others grow and be successful in their careers and in life. When not working he loves to spend time with his family playing games, going on outdoor adventures and most importantly cheering on the Green Bay Packers and the Oregon Ducks!!!
Alycia Gokey
District Manager
Alycia Gokey is the District Manager for Pentex’s Northern Wisconsin Taco John’s. Alycia joined Pentex in March 2019, as an assistant manager for the Wisconsin Rapids location. She was quickly promoted to GM within 4 months. In 2022, Alycia was named Taco John’s International Manager of the Year. June 2023 Alycia was promoted to Area Manager and in August 2024 she was promoted to District Manager. Prior to Pentex she spent 13 years with another QSR. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her husband, 7 children and family, get tattoos, read Heather Graham books, travel, and try new restaurants/food.