Photo by Christina VanHorn,
UNH Human Resources

When you take a look at the number of meals provided and the customers served on a weekly basis by all of the dining halls and MUB Food Service at the University of New Hampshire, it can truly boggle the mind. Holloway Commons, Stilling's Marketplace, and Philbrook Cafe alone serve 70,000 meals per week. Another 20,000 customers visit the various retail programs (Panache, Wildcatessen, and MUB Food Court) each week. For some, overseeing this type of volume might seem like a daily nightmare. For Jon Plodzik, Associate Director for Dining Services, it's a challenge he both welcomes and sought.

Jon came to UNH after working for Marriott Management Services for 8 years. "I wanted to work in a dynamic environment where I could make a difference," he says, "where the leaders were committed to investing in the program and where our guests appreciated our efforts. David May, Executive Director of UHS, shared those same ideals, so I was excited to join UNH." Beginning as an Area Manager of MUB Food Service in 1998, Jon was promoted to Senior Area Manager in 2001 (overseeing MUB Food Service and Philbrook Hall) and later became Associate Director of Dining Services in the Spring of 2003, with the primary responsibility of creating the team to open Holloway Commons.

Jon's responsibilities include overseeing all of the 3 dining facilities and UHS' retail program (including the MUB Food Court, with Panache, the Wildcatessen, and the Philbrook Café) through the management teams at those locations. He's responsible for their operational component through coordination with their various management teams. He sees "being a good listener, having a sense of humor, a passion to serve, a good business sense, and the desire to motivate others" as some of his skills and says that "interacting with our guests and those associates who make it all happen everyday" is the most satisfying thing about his job. He also enjoys "interacting with the students and being part of this community."

Jon is also appreciative of those that he has the opportunity to work with. "David May has had a major role in the success I have enjoyed at UNH, both professionally and personally," Jon states. "He gave me the opportunity to make a difference in the guests I am serving, the confidence to assume this role and the freedom to create a culture where success breeds. He's given me the flexibility to create the programs that our guests tell us they want." (David May says about Jon, "I can think of no one on campus that has more passion for guest service. Jon has tremendous energy for continuous improvement. He always has a smile and uses his humor to energize the staff around the challenges at hand. He has been a team player helping other departments on campus work on their service culture. We are lucky to have Jon!!!) "Managing @UNH with Ann Driscoll helped me immensely reflect on the type of leader I wanted to be and the type of organization I could create with the position I hold. I think those two critical players in my time here at UNH has resulted in the love I feel for what I do each day in UHS. I am proud of the folks I work with, their commitment and the energy they bring to everything. It motivates me everyday."

When Jon is not at work, he has three "very busy children" (daughter Taylor, 11, and sons Kevin, 9, and Brad, 4). "Brad is a bundle of energy," Jon laughs. "Now I understand why my father used to say 'we'll never have anything nice while you kids are around.' I truly appreciate that now. There isn't an item in my house that isn't broken or stained. All of my kids are VERY active! So, one of my favorite hobbies that I share with my wife (Tracie) and close friends is just relaxing. The joy of not rushing to do this or that, and enjoying the moment you are in, is truly one of God's gifts to us all."