Johnny's Italian Steakhouse Altoona | Heart Of America Group

Altoona

Rico Fortier

Rico Fortier

Managing Director
Start Date: 12/14/2023
Personal Highlights

Outside of work I love spending time with family, playing games, and cooking. I have been very disciplined in the gym for most of my life and I don’t plan on abandoning that passion any time soon.

Joel Ashcraft

Joel Ashcraft

Culinary Maestro
Start Date: 3/14/2023
Personal Highlights

Outside of work life I enjoy time with friends and family, reading, music, and film. I am passionate about furthering my education and striving to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Brie DiPietro

Brie Di Pietro

Assistant Director
Start Date: 9/16/2025
Personal Highlights

When I am not at work I like to spend time with family and friends. I also spend a lot of my time working on art projects and music. I love to go fishing, so working in a place with a pier is also a huge bonus for me.

LaToya Malfero

LaToya Malfero

Assistant Director
Start Date: 12/16/2025
Personal Highlights

When I am not at work I am spending time with family and expressing my artistic talents with my clients in my salon. I love being a mother and going to sporting events. I love cooking and entertaining family. I enjoy doing hair services and building a rapport with my clients. I spend my summers going on adventures with my children and traveling.

Nicole Smith

Nicole Smith

Culinary Conductor
Start Date: 8/11/2026
Personal Highlights

In my free time, you’ll often find me either at the gym, or doing something active outdoors. I love to kayak, swim and paddleboard, as well as surf. I’m a huge animal lover and an advocate for fosters. I love to include my furry children in as many daily activities as possible. Without them, I’d be very sad. I love rollerblading, singing and making a difference. I openly devote much of my spare time to music. I love to play my guitar and sing for guests that come visit. I have traveled these united states with a back pack and a guitar, and it led to where I’m at now. I’m proud of that.

To conclude this email, I’d like to state: I have served my country, and gone to war. I have fought to protect the freedoms that most Americans take for granted on a daily basis. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be employed at this company, and to grow with you all. Thank you.

About Heart Of America

About Heart of America Starting with one 100-seat restaurant in 1978, Heart of America Group has grown to include a portfolio of award-winning, owned and operated restaurants, hotels, and commercial developments. Noteworthy brands developed and operated by Heart of America Group include the Machine Shed Restaurant, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Burger Shed, The Republic on Grand, Fifth Avenue Syndicate, Thunder Bay Grille, The J Bar, Hotel Renovo, Revel Hotel, The Rewind Hotel, The Axis Hotel, and Wildwood Lodge. We pride ourselves on building long-lasting properties that bring value to the consumer and to the communities in which we build.

Locations

Operations Support Center - Moline
1501 River Drive
Moline, Illinois 61265
P: 309.797.9300
F: 309.797.8700

Operations Support Center - Des Moines
515 E Locust Street, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50309