TEAM
O U R

TEAM

JUD BLOUNT

Proprietor

Jud Blount is a multifaceted entrepreneur who has achieved notable success in the restaurant and hospitality industry. As the leader of the Vintage Hospitality Group, he guides an expansive team of seasoned professionals. With expertise covering every aspect of the industry, Jud is adept at developing innovative and prosperous concepts. Born and raised in Montgomery, Jud attended the Univ. of Alabama studying Business Administration/Management. 

Prior to taking over Vintage Year, he was the President, CEO & Co-Owner of Filet & Vine for 19 years where he grew it to be Central Alabama’s largest specialty market, deli and bottle shop. In 2018, he opened Vintage Cafe, a coffee shop and daytime eatery. In 2020, in partnership with Alabama Power, Jud started MGM Greens, a fully climate-controlled hydroponic farm that grows leafy greens and herbs for his restaurants and the community. In 2021, he was named Restaurateur of the Year by Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association. In 2022, Jud opened Red Bluff Bar at the Silos in downtown Montgomery's Riverfront Park. In the following year, Blount completed the extensive City Fed restoration project that includes Ravello Ristorante and Bar Attico, a new Italian eatery and rooftop bar, along with several private event spaces. 

More recently, Jud collaborated with partners to launch Frenchie's in Cloverdale. Currently, he is working with another partner on the redevelopment of the Grove Court Apartments, an award-winning complex dating back to 1947, aiming to transform it into a modern living space.

Jud and his wife Martha have two children, Jud Jr. & Susannah. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hunting, fishing, and live music. A member and on the Board of Trustees of Fitzpatrick United Methodist Church, he has also been active in the community as a youth coach, co-chairman of The Capri Theatre – Marquee Magic Campaign, Capri Community Film Society President, Light the Heart of Cloverdale Co-Chairman & board member of Jubilee Cityfest in addition to being a former member of Fitzpatrick Volunteer Fire Department. 

Most recently, Jud served on the Board of Directors for the Montgomery Chamber and is a member of Montgomery Area Committee of 100 and the Board of Control, the Montgomery Area Business Committee for the Arts, River Region Trails and the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association.

ERIC RIVERA

Corporate Chef / Co-Proprietor

Chef Eric utilizes simple dishes that focus on twists of distinctive ingredients and flavors that showcase seasonality and quality. Raised in Colorado, Eric's culinary journey began in his grandmothers' kitchens at a young age. He kicked off his career as the sous chef at the historic Marlowe's Restaurant in Denver. By the age of 23, Eric took the helm as the executive chef at Lala's Wine Bar and Pizzeria, immersing himself in the local food community and championing the use of local ingredients, earning his eatery Top Ten Best New Restaurant awards. Moving to Birmingham, Eric assumed the role of executive sous chef at Todd English P.U.B., eventually overseeing all hotel food operations. He then played a pivotal role in the reopening of the Historic Redmont Hotel in downtown Birmingham, managing a café featuring fresh breads and locally roasted coffee, along with a fine dining Italian-inspired restaurant that highlighted local ingredients.
 
Now as Executive Chef and Owner at Vintage Hospitality Group, he was recently named the Best Chef by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association. Chef Eric has garnered national acclaim from PBS NewsHour, USA Today, New York Times, Forbes, and Newsweek Magazines. Under his leadership, Vintage Year received recognition from the James Beard Foundation as a Smart Catch Leader for sustainable seafood sourcing and won the grand prize in the Blended Burger Contest. Vintage Year has also earned distinctions such as being one of OpenTable's 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America, a Traveler's Choice winner by TripAdvisor, and Montgomery Advertiser's Best of the Best Romantic Restaurant. Chef Eric, an alumnus of the James Beard Chefs Boot Camp, actively contributes to culinary and arts exchange programs with Montgomery's sister city, Pietrasanta, Italy. Committed to community service, he donates to numerous non-profits and serves as a judge for Pro Start, a high school program involving students in the hospitality industry.
 
In his leisure time, Eric enjoys working on his home, participating in mud races, and cherishing moments with his wife Alyssa, son Carter, and daughters Lorelai and Emma.

BRIAN MORRISON

Executive Chef

Brian Morrison has rejoined Vintage Hospitality Group as the Executive Chef overseeing the Cloverdale locations, including Vintage Year, Vintage Café, and Frenchie’s. Bringing over a decade of expertise to his role, Brian previously served as the Executive Chef at BEALE STREET BLUES COMPANY-NASHVILLE, LLC from Feb 2021 to Jul 2022, where he showcased his culinary management, cooking, and food preparation skills, leaving a lasting impact on the establishment.
 
Prior to his executive role, Brian served as the Executive Sous Chef at Vintage Hospitality Group for 5 years, contributing his catering expertise and mastering culinary management to enhance the dining experience for patrons in Montgomery, Alabama.
 
With a diverse culinary leadership background, Brian spent a significant 5 years as the Assistant Culinary Manager at Bonefish Grill, demonstrating prowess in catering, food cost analysis, and culinary management, thereby solidifying his reputation in the hospitality industry.
 
Throughout his career, Brian Morrison has consistently displayed a passion for culinary innovation, meticulous attention to detail, and a steadfast commitment to delivering an exceptional dining experience. His versatile skills across various culinary disciplines make him a highly valuable asset to VHG.

Elliot Hagans

Sous Chef

Alabama native Elliot Hagans is a self taught chef. After his time in the US Coast Guard, he moved home and started working his way through the kitchens at Acre and Hamilton’s of Auburn. Taking the knowledge learned in various kitchens as well as a collection of new school and classic cookbooks, Elliot learned to make playful and inspiring dishes. His love of the great state of Alabama and its indigenous ingredients led him to make the decision to move to Montgomery and join our team.

Lenard Flennoy

General Manager

Born and raised in the historic city of Tuskegee, Alabama, Lenard also attended Tuskegee University. It was there that he discovered his passion for food, service, and the restaurant industry while serving a three year tenure as an aerospace engineer. With an innate drive to manage high-volume restaurant operations, build productive and successful teams as well as help restaurants realize increased profit margins while reducing losses, Lenard embarked on a 20+ year journey as a General Manager for Applebee’s Restaurants and Bass Pro Shops’ restaurant division. He further enhanced his leadership tenacity as the Food and Nutrition Director for Morrison Healthcare in both Atlanta and Montgomery. When he’s not at Vintage Year, Lenard can be found creating valuable memories with his pride and joy, his daughter Kennedy. He also enjoys fishing, hunting, and serving as the Finance Director at Montgomery City of Refuge Church.

Alyssa Rivera

Director of Events & Catering

Whether it’s a milestone celebration, a professional workshop or an intimate gathering, Alyssa Rivera loves to help mark the moment and  and create memorable events. It’s the personal interaction with clients, assisting with planning and facilitating an event to seeing dreams come to fruition that is her passion. She thrives on creativity, organization, and detail.


Alyssa received her bachelor’s degree in Restaurant and Hospitality Management from the University of Alabama. She briefly interned with a small, boutique event planner in Tuscaloosa before moving back to Birmingham. She began her career working at the beautiful Ross Bridge Resort in Hoover, first at the front desk and then quickly transitioned to the resort’s events department. In 2014, Alyssa was hired by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. to work at the busy, 385,0000+ square foot space of the Westin/Sheraton Birmingham Jefferson Hotel and Convention Complex. Her position entailed booking, planning, and managing simple, small gatherings to large scale markets including non-profit organizations, medical and pharmaceutical conventions as well as college and university graduations. In 2017, she moved as a newlywed to join her husband in Montgomery to work as the Event Director for Central Restaurant before joining Vintage Hospitality Group.


Combining her education with her decade-plus experience, Alyssa values the strengths of the team and works with members to channel even the biggest challenges into a collective success with her leadership, flexibility, and a “can do '' outlook.In her free time, Alyssa enjoys making her own personal memories with her husband, VHG Executive Chef Eric and their three beautiful children. They love being outdoors, traveling, and trying new restaurants and cuisine.

Share by: