Pasquarello takes on new management position at DeSales

John Pasquarello, General Manager of Dining Services since August 2000, has announced his resignation. Pasquarello has accepted the position of General Manager at DeSales University, located in Center Valley, Pa. DeSales is another Sodexho operating account located in the Lehigh Valley. Glenn Gerchman, Director of Student Union and Campus Events, hopes "we will continue to see John from time to time on campus."Pasquarello recalls his initial interview about six years ago and even then, he remembered thinking "I would be very fortunate to have the opportunity to work here." Reflecting on his time at the College, Pasquarello said, "I have been part of many proposed renovations over the years and I feel confident that renovations will happen and my input will be part of the renovations. I was pleased to be part of the development of the Lifestyles Meal Plan and felt like we made a huge step in giving the Muhlenberg students meal plans with more options and more flexibility."

One of his most memorable moments was winning a Henry Award. Pasquarello said, "I will say now what I said then, that award is reflective of our entire department and the commitment everyone here has to Muhlenberg. I was thrilled to accept the award on behalf of our department. I will proudly display that award in my office at DeSales and will look forward to telling everyone about The Henry's."

Gerchman said Pasquarello will "be missed in Seegers Union and around campus. He is a great guy with a big heart and always has a smile. Costumer service is his number one objective."

Sharon Venanzi, Operations Manager, said, "I am very sad John is leaving. It's been great working with him! He's just a great guy and very well liked within the campus community as well as in dining services. He will be missed!"

Just as Pasquarello will be missed by many, he will miss many aspects of his job and the College as well. Pasquarello said, "I will miss the dining services employees who have supported me over the years and the managers who really run the program. They are the most dedicated group of professionals I have had the pleasure of working with. I will also miss members of the Administration who clearly set the tone here at Muhlenberg. I have never seen so many people who care so much about students in the 20 plus years I have worked on college campuses."

In the past few years, students have noticed many changes and improvements which have been made to suit their dining needs. Pasquarello had worked closely with members of Student Council to ensure these needs were met. Pasquarello said he would miss many students "who have embraced me and my family. I have always looked forward to Commencement Weekend when I meet the families of so many students and have the opportunity to wish students well as they continue with life after Muhlenberg. It's tough to imagine not being here this year."

Barrie Schessler '10, Class Representative and the Seegers Union Committee Co-Chair, has worked with Pasquarello on many different occasions. Schessler said, "John is such an asset to the Muhlenberg community. He works so hard with the administration and students to make sure he is doing everything in his power to make the Muhlenberg dining experience even better. I know I'll sure miss him!"

Karen Green, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs, although new to the College, has had a chance to work with Pasquarello over the past year. Before coming to the College in 2000, Pasquarello served as General Manager at Wells College, located in upstate NY, which happens to be another Sodexho operation. Green had heard about Pasquarello before coming to the College because she was Dean of Students at Wells College soon after he left to come to Muhlenberg.

"Everyone on the staff who had worked with John shared what a wonderful person he was and how I would enjoy working with him. I came to understand their affection for him when we finally met and began working together. John is enthusiastic, open to suggestions and cares deeply about the dining experience for our students. I've witnessed him table-hopping to question students about their meal and pitching in to help his staff manage all of the operations," said Green.

The College hopes to find someone just as "hands on" as Pasquarello. Effective Mon., March 26, Suzanne Flederbach will take on the role of Interim General Manager for the College's dining operation. Flederbach is familiar with the College: she graduated in 1982 and even got married in the Chapel. Flederbach is the Director of Dining Services at Lehigh University where she manages the Rathbone Student Restaurant, several concessions and retail operations in the business center. While Flederback serves as Interim, Sodexho will start its 90 day process of searching for a full-time General Manager.

Sodexho typically runs candidates through their HR rigors and then identifies two candidates who best meet the criteria to manage the dining operation at the College. This initial process is headed by Todd Snyder, Sodexho's District Manager. After the first screening, Gerchman, key college administration and a student representative will interview the finalists and collectively find the most qualified individual to fill Pasquarello's shoes as General Manager.

Gerchman recognizes it will be hard to find a suitable replacement right away but anticipates that in due time, Sodexho and the College will find an individual with just as much character and charm as Pasquarello to eventually become an active member of the College community.

Green echoes the thoughts of many who know Pasquarello when she says, "John will be missed, but he's moving on to another opportunity where I hope he'll be welcomed and appreciated for his many talents. It's been a pleasure working with him."