Name: Kyle Mason
Age: 36
Title: General Manager of La Bocca
Married/Single: Engaged
Kids: Two
City you live in: Phoenix
A typical day in my life includes…
work. I wake up very early with a 16 month old and a 7 year old and help get them ready. Then I get ready and go off to a 10-hour day. Then I try to have dinner and conversation with my fiancé and then off to bed.
I was born…
a Midwest kid. I was born in Nebraska so I have old school values. I’ve lived in Arizona now for 30 years, but I still never really lost those old school Midwestern values and sense of family.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
the weather. I remember building igloos in my front yard in Nebrask in the winter and how it was cold all the time. Winters here feel like spring in the Midwest. You don’t really get the four seasons, but I’d prefer this weather any day.
I’m listening to…
not much music these days. I listen a lot more to guests and to my staff just because I’m so involved with work right now.
My family…
I absolutely adore. I have a 16-month-old little girl and a 7-year-old boy. It’s a pleasure seeing my children every day, and seeing them grow into these little personalities.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Abraham Lincoln because he’s my favorite president. He was a president back in the day that actually revolutionized an idea that was so different and unique. I would love to have an understanding behind that thought process.
One thing I cannot live without…
my energy drinks. It’s sad to say but I drink two a day every single day. Rockstar low carb ones are my favorite.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
a professional baseball player. I played baseball through high school and Division I in college.
I’m inspired by…
the competition that we see in the restaurant industry. To see new restaurants and people doing innovative cocktails and food, it’s inspiring.
The one person who motivates me is…
my fiancée. She helps me stay on track and stay focused.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
I would get rid of fast food restaurants.
The perfect day would be…
sitting on a beach drinking cocktails and watching sports on TV.
My first job was…
I was 16 years old and I worked at Harkins Movie Theater. I was the guy who gave customers their soda and popcorn.
My favorite escape…
my bedroom. When I can sit down, unwind and not have any screaming children or employees, it’s nice to relax and self-reflect.
My life…
is headed on the right track.
I’m currently working on…
developing a new marketing strategy for our company and special events from catering to parties within our three restaurant concepts.
Always…
stay focused and always work hard.
Never…
take for granted your position or your current situation in life.
Favorite Quote…
Always surround yourself with people that can make you successful.
Biggest Dream…
to see my kids when they’re old enough to be owning and operating their own businesses. I can’t wait to see them successful and pursuing their dream.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
people being late.
Kyle Mason is the vice president of operations for Mill Avenue Management Group, overseeing Handlebar in Tempe as well as each of La Bocca Urban Kitchen + Wine Bar’s three locations in Phoenix, Tempe and Chandler, respectively, and Modern Margarita’s two locations in Phoenix and Chandler, respectively. Mason won the first-ever “Bar Brawl” series at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain’s famed Jade Bar, which took place in the summer of 2015, and was recently joined fellow Jade alumni Micah Olson, Jason Asher, Clint Spotleson, Jillian Vose, and Tyson Buhler for a reunion during Arizona Cocktail Week and induction to the venue’s coveted Hall of Fame.
