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FM On Demand: William Guerrero of Ithaca College dining services talks about going self-op

William Guerrero led the effort by the Ithaca College dining program to convert from contract to self-operation several years ago, and he’s here to talk about the experience.

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

March 11, 2021

FM On Demand is video interviews with onsite dining professionals who talk about creative and interesting initiatives they have developed or undertaken.

William Guerrero serves as vice president of finance and administration for Ithaca College in Upstate New York. The college dining program undertook a conversion to self-operation back in 2019, an initiative that required a number of prerequisites, support structures and adjustments to make it successful. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the program was further challenged to maintain its standards while remaining fiscally sound.

In this FM On Demand video interview, Guerrero talks about the self-op conversion experience, what went into it, how it developed and the lessons learned that he can share with other programs considering a similar move.

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

See more from Mike Buzalka