Local coffee and cafe chain Drift announced three new appointments "to strengthen its operations, finance and people functions as the company prepares for the future," according to a news release.

Sam Worobec has joined as vice president of Operations, Jim Brady as CFO and general counsel and Evan Bloom as HR business partner, the release stated.

“We’re excited to welcome these leaders and lay the groundwork for Drift’s future,” stated Ben Powell, co-founder of Drift, in the release, “Each brings experience that will help us support our teams, strengthen our business and elevate the experience for our guests and crew members. Michael (Powell, co-founder and Ben Powell's brother) and I are looking forward to what is ahead as we continue to grow.”

Worobec previously led training and operations services for Chipotle. He also served as senior vice president of people at Charlotte-based Red Ventures and is the co-founder of Training Simplified, where he has helped restaurant companies across the country scale their operations and develop their employees, the release stated.

“Sam brings a unique perspective from his experience in multi-unit restaurant operations and at Red Ventures,” Ben Powell stated in the release. “Restaurants have often been late adopters of technology, relying on clunky, off-the-shelf products. We see an opportunity to use automation tools to give our store leaders deeper insight, greater precision and more clarity in running their restaurants.”

Brady brings extensive experience leading finance and legal functions for early-stage and rapidly growing companies, according to the release. As the first CFO and general counsel at Sweetgreen, he oversaw finance, legal and human resources during a period of rapid growth and geographic expansion, the release stated.

"Throughout his career, he has raised capital through public and private financings, managed mergers and acquisitions and built the financial infrastructure needed to support growing consumer businesses," according to the release. "He has also advised investors on investments in the restaurant sector. Brady holds an MBA from the University of Virginia, a JD from George Washington University and a BA from William & Mary."

Ben Powell stated in the release, “Under Jim’s leadership, we look forward to building a best-in-class finance function. With so many moving parts in the hospitality industry, accurate and timely financial information is essential for high performance and responsible growth.”

Bloom has experience that spans recruiting, onboarding, employee relations and workforce planning, according to the release. Most recently, he served as human resources business partner at New England Utility Constructors, partnering with leaders on hiring, employee development and HR policies and systems, the release stated.

Drift is a locally owned collection of cafes and coffee shops "providing high-end coffee paired with all day breakfast and lunch," according to the release.