About Nick

Nick Rizzo came to Rivers Club after serving in several businesses as senior operations manager with a focus in the fine dining, food and beverage space. His most recent position at Landry’s / Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse took him to multiple U.S. markets to oversee change management. Rizzo previously had a lengthy career with the late Chef Proprietor Yves Carreau and the Big Y Group, holding several roles in both Pittsburgh and Baltimore. A native of Windber, PA, Rizzo was born and raised in the hospitality industry. The Rizzo family has owned and operated an iconic Italian restaurant in the area that has spanned three generations. He played college football at both the University of Pittsburgh and Washington and Jefferson College. Rizzo is an avid golfer, runner, practices yoga regularly and enjoys many forms of competition. He has been involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation where he served as a board member for several Passion for Food & Wine events.

About Jen

Jen has been in the hospitality industry for nearly 20 years. She gained much of her fine dining experience in larger markets including Chicago and New York City. Here in Pittsburgh, she has a following as an experienced craft cocktail bartender and Beverage Manager for well-known restaurant groups such as Big Y Group, S&P Group, Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group, and Big Burrito, as well as Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Jen is an active member of the United States Bartender’s Guild since 2014 and served as Membership Committee Chair in 2018. Jen studied Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management at Columbia College Chicago and is an avid supporter of the arts. She stays connected with the Pittsburgh community through volunteering and as an amateur stand-up comedian. Jen enjoys sharing obscure spirits and wine with other industry professionals and attends tastings whenever possible. She has lived in Pittsburgh with her husband and their Boston Terrier, Rocky, since 2014. 

About Jim

Jim has been an Executive Chef with Invited for over thirteen years.  Working at two Business Club properties “The Land Mark Club” in Stamford CT and “The Club at Key Center” Cleveland OH before returning home to his family, Pittsburgh and The Rivers Club in 2004.  Prior to Invited Jim spent ten years at the world class luxurious Four-Star Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa as Banquet Chef and Executive Sous Chef. In those roles Jim worked relentlessly to create the best private and social event experiences imaginable. Jim has had the privilege of creating dining experiences for some of the most distinguished companies and guests in the world.In addition to his culinary skills he is an accomplished award winning ice sculpture and active member of the American Culinary Federation Pittsburgh Chapter.

About Michele

Michele has lived in the Pittsburgh area all of her life growing up in Cranberry Township.  After graduating from Westminster College with an English degree she started working as a server in a locally family owned restaurant.  She quickly moved into the role of General Manager at DeVos Restaurant.  In 2001 she started at Treesdale Golf and Country Club as a Dining Room Captain.  Private events were always her passion and in 2005 she took the role of Private Events Director at Diamond Run Golf Club.  Moving to The Club at Nevillewood in 2008 as the Banquet Sales Manager.  Now excited to be “home” with Invited at the Rivers Club.  Michele lives in Zelienople with her husband Tony and her two children Austin and Nicholas.

About Ashley

Ashley Barna was born and raised in Pittsburgh Pa, currently residing in Shaler with her 3 children. (8, 5, & 2) She graduated from Bradford School of Business with a degree in Hospitality and Travel Management.  Ashley has been in the hospitality industry for 17 years, planning, executing and creating memories for a little over 10.  She started her journey as the Cruise Director for the Gateway Clipper Fleet in Pgh to where she was later promoted to the Charter Sales manager.  After planning events on Pittsburgh’s Premiere Riverboat, she became the Director of Weddings and Special Events at the Wyndham Grand Hotel.  Ashley has become very well known in the community as she was one of the nominees for Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest which raised money for Cystic Fibrosis.  She also has grown quite familiar with the Indian Culture after planning many South Asian weddings but her largest wedding which was 874 guests for 3 days. She loves spending her free time with her children who keep her bu...

About Elaine

Elaine began her Invited tenure as Accounting Assistant at Treesdale Golf & Country Club in 1999. She was promoted to Director of Club Accounting in 2005, as Invited began upgrading software and financial systems. In 2011, when Invited restructured club accounting, Elaine decided to leave Treesdale. In 2015, she was excited to return to the Invited family, as Office Administrator at Rivers Club, just in time for the Club’s Reinvention.Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Elaine is a graduate of Robert Morris University. She lived in Little Rock, Arkansas for several years, and worked at Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts. She has accounting and management experience in several different industries. She is involved in her community, serving as Borough Treasurer, and is on the board of her local volunteer fire service. Elaine is married to Gary, and enjoys spending time at the lake with their adult children and dog, Bandit.