UMW Dining

Kori Dean , General Manager | 540.654.2230 | kdean@umw.edu
Kori joined the team in May 2005 as the Director of Retail Operations and later served as our Director of Operations until becoming General Manager in January 2010. She moved here from Erie, PA where she worked as the Director of Operations at Edinboro University for two years. Before joining Sodexo Campus Services, Kori worked as a manager for Eat’n Park Restaurants, and she has a degree from Penn State in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management. When not at work, Kori enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and daughter Amelia.

Mike Johnson, Director of Operations | 540.654.1928 | mike.johnson@sodexo.com
Mike Johnson joined our UMW campus dining team in the fall of 2009 as Director of Operations, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience with him. He served as a member of Special Forces with the Marine Corps until an injury led him to transfer to the Corps' food management team, where the won the "Best Mess Hall World Wide" award twice! Later he served as General Manager for the U.S. Senate Restaurants, Director of Operations for Campus Dining at George Mason University, and owner of his own restaurant at Lake Anna.

Leslie Jacobs, Catering Sales Specialist | 540.654.1931 | ljacobs@umw.edu
A native of Northern Virginia, Leslie is originally from Falls Church and earned an Associate’s Degree in Business while living in Vienna, Virginia. She worked for Mary Washington College in the athletic department for six years, and also brings valuable experience in banking to her career with University of Mary Washington Dining Services. Leslie joined Dining Services in 1998 and, after leaving for two years to serve as Regional Administrative Assistant to John Iacunato, came back to serve as our Catering Sales Specialist. She lives in Fredericksburg with her husband, Ritchie and their three children.

Thais Lomax, Director of Catering | 540.654.1298 | tlomax@umw.edu
Thais Lomax joins the University of Mary Washington team from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Previously, Thais served as Catering Manager for several colleges in the Boston area. She was also a Wedding and Special Event Manager for the Loews Hotels in the Washington, D.C. area for five years. Ms. Lomax is a Professional Bridal Consultant, active member of the National Association of Catering Executives and the International Special Events Society, and supportive alumni of Boston University. In her spare time she enjoys running and is a gourmet cook!

Pam Greenfield, Catering Supervisor| 540.654.1928 | pgreenfi@umw.edu
Pam holds a degree from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in Journalism and Communications and brings more than twenty-five years of food service experience to her position as Catering Supervisor. She lives in Fredericksburg with her husband Mike and their three children, and she enjoys attending sporting events and spending time with her children.

Claudia Aschenbach, Business Office Specialist | 540.654.1029 | claudia@umw.edu
Claudia is from Woodbridge and holds Technical Certificates in Computer and Printer Repair and Envision Database Management. Before joining University of Mary Washington Dining Services in 1997, Claudia held positions in technical services, management and sales with Zayre Department Store and Computerland of Woodbridge. She joined our team as the catering coordinator and was later promoted to Business Manager. Claudia lives in Stafford County and her hobbies include photography, reading, and collecting music.

Kiesha Childs, Retail Manager | 540.654.1139 lakiesha.childs@sodexo.com Kiesha has worked at the Eagle’s Nest since 2003. Through her diligence and dedication she worked her way up through the ranks, first becoming a Supervisor and then Retail Manager. Kiesha believes that if you work hard you can accomplish anything, and she is certainly proof of that.

Rose Benedict | Marketing Specialist | 540.654.1928 | rbenedic@umw.edu
Rose has been with UMW Dining Services since March of 2005, and worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Catering Department and as an Assistant Director of Dining Services before becoming our Marketing Specialist in August of 2007. Rose has experience as a retail store manager, television producer, Congressional Legislative Assistant, realtor, and travel consultant. She has also been a director, writer, and performer in community, reperatory, and church theatrical productions, and she uses that theatrical experience to enhance the production of our special events.

Richard Gustard | Retail Director | 540.654.1139 | rgustard@umw.edu

A Native of Virginia Beach, Richard joined the team in January of 2007. He earned an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts From Johnson & Wales and he loves working with people. Prior to becoming Retail Director he served as Director of Dining Services at Seacobeck for two years. He has more than 12 years in the Foodservice Industry and really enjoys his work!

Sergio Boccato | Catering Operations Manager| 540.654.1930 | sboccato@umw.edu

In 2006, Sergio joined our team as the Catering Operations Manager. A Native of Brazil, Sergio started his career ambitions in the field of Veterinary Medicine after attending Motta & Silva University in Brazil. After graduating, he decided to continue his education in the United States where he attended Montgomery College. It was while attending college and residing in Washington DC, that Sergio realized his interests and abilities in the Food and Beverage Industry, causing him to persue a Business Management Degree. Sergio joined the CCA (The International Club of Washington DC) where he spent 8 years learning and developing his skills in many different areas of this vast business arena. In 1994, Sergio was invited by Executive Chef, Yannick Cam and Restaureteur, Savino Recine to run their Washington operations consisting of 5 of Washington's finest restaurants and 3 highly popular night clubs. In 2004, Sergio returned to the Private Club Industry after being offered the position of General Manager of the City Tavern Club in Georgetown, which is one of the oldest and most presigious private clubs in DC having been originally established in 1796.

Fred German | Executive Chef | 540.654.2230 | fgerman@umw.edu
Prior to coming to UMW, Fred worked for seven years at James Madison University, where he served at various times as Executive Chef, Catering Chef, Retail Chef, Board Plan Director, and Production Manager. He has worked in the culinary field since he was fourteen years old, having apprenticed with Chef James Whaley at La Maisonette Restaurant, and later serving as Executive Chef for Bryce Mountain Resort, just to name a few of his positions. He is married and has two sons.