Retired Corporate Executive,

Board Member 
Graham Family Vineyards

Maxwell Anthony “Andy” Graham grew up in Houston, Texas, where he began his hospitality career working at the Great Idea Restaurant in Sharpstown at the age of 13! 

Andy earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Hilton College in 1983 and from there, he went to work for the Borel Restaurant Group, a subsidiary of Nestlé. They started him in their Rusty Scupper concept, and soon he relocated to their headquarters in San Francisco, where he was assigned to their flagship unit, Borels.

“I wanted to work in restaurants my whole life, and I almost did,” said Andy.

Long hours and the rigor of restaurant management led him to pursue a more balanced career that made space to enjoy life; he joined SYSCO Food Services. Here, Andy opened a new restaurant once a month, which he describes as “heaven.” 

This schedule allowed Andy to marry his wife, Gail Maderis, raise four children, and move back to Houston to continue his work with SYSCO and later US Foodservice, where he earned promotions all along the way. 

Andy started his own foodservice distribution company, and after growing the business to become a true contender, sold it all back to SYSCO. This newfound freedom led him to a whole new career in Warehouse Automation with Honeywell.

Looking back on his journey, Andy is grateful to “have been in the right place at the right time in [his] career and investments.” He firmly believes that he’s “one of the luckiest people.”  

Now retired, he splits his time between San Francisco and Monterey/Carmel, sailing and volunteering with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He and Gail travel extensively and enjoy life to the fullest.