URI Names Mello New Director of Dining

July 29—The University of Rhode Island in Kingston has named Steven Mello as its new director of dining and retail food operations.Mello has been interim director since November. Mello succeeds Kathleen Gianquitti, who served as the director of Dining Services for 23 years before retiring in September. Mello has been with URI Dining Services since 1990, serving in a variety of management capacities, most recently as associate administrator for Dining Services. Overall, he brings more than 28 years of foodservice experience to his new position. Mello says one of his main priorities in his new position to develop practices that result in a smaller environmental impact.

"Steve has the ability and motivation to provide outstanding leadership to an existing strong management team in Dining Services, and I am confident he will continue to provide high quality and award-winning foodservice to the students, faculty and staff of the university," Thomas Dougan, vice president for student affairs, said in a press release.