RH Staff

EDNA MORRIS
President, Quincy's Family Steakhouse, Spartanburg,S.C.

Age: 45. Why she's rising: Many consider Morris the industry's most effective human resources executive; as president she has the chance to apply her natural leadership talents on a much wider scale. Ladder climbing: Executive vice president, human resources; senior vice president, human resources; vice president of education and training, Flagstar Companies. Schooling: B.A., Psychology (Phi Beta Kappa), 1974, University of South Carolina. Wins praise for: Reversing double-digit sales and traffic declines at Quincy's by sprucing up restaurants, introducing 20 menu items, and launching an advertising campaign featuring Morris as spokesperson. Mentors: Names her parents "who reinforced the need to remain true to myself." First job in foodservice: Waitress, Lake Placid, age 19. What the future holds: Morris's star will be brighter than Hale-Bopp if Quincy's can grab back the market share that once made it the budget steakhouse of choice.