Steve Ells was born on September 12,1965 and is an American businessman.
15 Facts About Steve Ells
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Steve Ells is the founder, former chief executive officer, and former executive chairman of Chipotle Mexican Grill.
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Steve Ells served as executive chairman following the appointment of a new CEO, and served on the CEO search committee.
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On March 6,2020, Steve Ells resigned as chairman and left the board of directors, breaking his final ties to the company.
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Steve Ells was born in Indianapolis on September 12,1965, the son of a pharmaceutical executive.
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Steve Ells attended Boulder High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and became a member of the Delta Chi fraternity.
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Steve Ells later enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, graduating in 1990.
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Steve Ells served for two years as a sous chef under Jeremiah Tower at Stars restaurant in San Francisco prior to launching Chipotle.
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Steve Ells opened a Chipotle themed taco store in Denver, Colorado near the University of Denver campus using $85,000 borrowed from his family and friends.
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Steve Ells served as CEO of the chain from 1993 until 2009, when he split co-CEO duties with Monty Moran.
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Steve Ells returned as sole CEO on December 12,2016, upon Moran's retirement.
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In 2007, Steve Ells received the CEO of the Year Award from ColoradoBiz magazine.
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Steve Ells formerly sat on the board of directors of the Land Institute.
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In 2010, Steve Ells joined the judging and investment panel on NBC's series America's Next Great Restaurant alongside Bobby Flay, Curtis Stone and Lorena Garcia.
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Steve Ells had not previously watched reality television and was disillusioned with the experience.