Michelle Rogers
Michelle Rogers is a hospitality professional with more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant and service industry. She began her career in entry-level front-of-house roles and steadily advanced through positions in service and kitchen management before becoming a General Manager. In her current role with Logan’s Roadhouse in the Greater Clarksville area, she oversees daily operations including staffing, inventory, financial oversight, and guest service standards. Her leadership approach is grounded in hands-on experience, having worked across nearly every level of restaurant operations throughout her career.
Michelle is known for a people-first leadership philosophy that emphasizes respect, development, and teamwork. She focuses on building strong relationships with both employees and guests, fostering a workplace culture where staff feel supported and valued. Throughout her career, she has been involved in turning around challenging operations by identifying team strengths, improving morale, and creating structured systems that support performance and consistency. Her management style prioritizes mentorship, accountability, and creating an environment where employees can grow and succeed.
She attended Daymar Institute–Clarksville, where she earned an associate’s degree in Business Administration and Management. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Michelle is active in community support efforts and values causes that strengthen families and local services. She is currently focused on continuing her growth into higher-level leadership, with a goal of becoming a Director of Operations overseeing multiple locations. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, refurbishing furniture, and caring for rescued animals, reflecting her appreciation for creativity, restoration, and compassion in both her personal and professional life.
• Servesafe
• Daymar Institute-Clarksville - A.A.S.
• United Way - PDI Division
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family, especially my parents. My dad was in the military for over 20 years, and my mom was a government employee. Then was a magistrate for Montgomery County. Growing up, we moved around a lot, and as a kid I thought it was hard, but now I realize that's actually what made me who I am. It taught me that I can go wherever and make it my own. My parents showed me that you have to be a strong person to rebuild yourself every time you move to a new place. They taught me that even when you have to leave, you can be a pivotal point in somebody else's life. You may be the person that somebody was going to quit on, but then you inspired them or were there to listen, and you changed that around for them. I also had incredible mentors along the way who believed in me, like Diana Renolett who I worked with for and known for over 30 years. She inspired me to become the leader I am today, and I wanted to be just like her. These relationships and the values my family instilled in me are what have driven everything I have accomplished.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received, and what I truly believe in, is that everybody should start at the bottom and work their way up. When you have worked every position, you know exactly how your team feels. I could not stand it when I would go to a superior with a question and they would say they did not know or tell me to look it up myself. I thought, how do you not know? You are above me, you should know all this stuff. That is why I think everybody should work from the bottom up, because then you know exactly how they feel. When someone is getting yelled at or something does not go right, you can sympathize or empathize with them because you can say, I totally get it, I know, I have been there. That understanding and empathy makes you a better leader and helps you connect with your team in a way that truly matters.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Believe in yourself. When you believe in you, everybody else will. Confidence is everything. A lot of people, especially as a woman, will call you names just because you driven and ambitious. Perhaps, direct and to the point. Why that a bad thing? It is bad because people make it that way. Sometimes you cannot be all sunshine and rainbows. You have to be the tough person. If you were a man, that same behavior would be called ambition, but it is always seen as a negative thing if you are a woman. I am really trying to show the women who work with me or for me that being strong is not a bad thing. Some people are afraid of strong women, but strength is not a weakness. Do not let anyone make you feel like being strong, direct, or confident is something you need to apologize for. Stand firm in your voice and know your value.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is employee retention and building strong teams in hospitality, especially during difficult times when burnout is high. The greatest opportunity is leadership development—helping people discover their own potential and creating workplaces where employees feel supported, valued, and motivated to grow.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and loyalty are the most important values to me. Without loyalty, you have nothing, and if I cannot trust you, you have no relationship. Whether it is your family, employees, coworkers, or anyone else, if you cannot trust the people you are with, you have nothing. I believe in building relationships, not just having coworkers or customers. It is about creating real connections with people in every aspect of life. You have a relationship with everything and everyone, whether you realize it or not. That is what makes you who you are. My parents taught me that you have a strong family upbringing, and even if it is just people you consider family, those relationships and the people who inspire you are what shape you into the person you become. Relationships are everything to me, both personally and professionally.