Restaurant chain Red Lobster has named its new CEO – Horace Dawson, who has been serving as executive VP and general counsel since 2014.

Dawson, who will also join the board of Red Lobster, also previously served as VP and division general counsel at Darden Restaurants and VP of business affairs and general counsel at Hard Rock Cafe International.

“This is an important time for our brand. We are continuing to evolve our menu and guest experience to give our guests more of what they want every time they visit one of our restaurants,” said Dawson.

“We have some of the most passionate customers and dedicated employees in the restaurant industry and I am looking forward to working with my teams to address the challenges we face in light of industry headwinds and to execute on our plans and deliver results.”

Dawson is on the board of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Restaurant Law Center, and Stronger America Through Seafood.

Meanwhile, Red Lobster has named board advisor Paul Kenny as chairman. Kenny previously held the CEO and executive advisor role at Minor Food Group and served on Minor International’s board.

“I have served on the Red Lobster board for several years and strongly believe that Horace is the right leader for this iconic brand at this time in the company’s history and I look forward to continuing a strong and productive working relationship,” said Kenny.