John G. Laytham Inducted into Washington Business Hall of Fame

John G. Laytham is a living example of working yourself up the corporate ladder. The President of Clyde's Restaurant Group started his career working for a new saloon in Georgetown called Clyde 's in 1963 as a student at Georgetown University . Clyde 's became an important bar in Georgetown . Clyde 's flourished into the suburbs and so did John's career. On November 30, 2010 John Laytham was inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame.

John worked every job at Clyde 's and became a partner in 1968. In 1970 the partnership bought the oldest saloon and what is now one of the best restaurants in Washington, the Old Ebbitt Grill. Clyde 's spread to Columbia , Maryland in 1975 and expanded to Tyson's Corner in 1980. They expanded to Reston in 1991. Along the way they also acquired more restaurants and opened some popular chains in the Washington area.

Laytham is a successful restaurateur. He has been awarded the Georgetown Business and Professional Association Lifetime Achievement Award and the Duke Zeibert Lifetime Achievement Award. The Duke Zeibert award is from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

John also beliefs in giving back to his community in which his restaurants serve. Donating hundred of thousands of dollars to the Clyde 's Work/School program to help Washington D.C. public schools. He contributes to Youth for Tomorrow and several other charities. He also is a sponsor of cultural events such as the Washington Opera and the Columbia Festival of the Arts.

John G. Laytham joins a 2010 class which includes sports mogal Ted Leonsis, BET CEO Debra L. Lee, CACI International Chairman J. London Phillips, and West Group CEO Gerald T. Halpin. Laythem belongs in the Washington Business Hall of Fame for helping to build and grow a Georgetown bar into a Georgetown landmark. He belongs because he was able to maintain a Washington landmark restaurant and expand a Washington area restaurant empire. John has taken his business leadership and has been able to help improve the community he serves.

Sources:

Junior Achievement Page for Biographical Information