Note: This article has been updated to correct the year Palmese began his job.
After six years at Proskauer Rose, Ron Palmese told his mentor that he was looking to transition in-house. That same day it was suggested to the 35-year-old Staten Island native that he’d be an excellent fit at the Union Square Hospitality Group, which was searching for its first GC. Though Palmese loved food, USHG didn’t initially resonate—until he realized it belonged to restaurateur Danny Meyer and wasn’t just a catering company. Indeed, the gastronomic conglomerate includes such iconic New York gems as the Gramercy Tavern and the Union Square Cafe, along with a trattoria called Maialino. It also runs community events like the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, and there’s a “little-known” burger joint (as Palmese winkingly describes it) called Shake Shack.
