Yale names Thomas Tucker director of retail development

Oct 7—Thomas Tucker has joined Yale University Dining as the director of retail development and operations, according to a Yale Dining press release.

Tucker comes to Yale after 15 years as a partner with The Pulse Group, a hospitality consulting company, where he focused on strategic planning, operational consulting and development services for colleges and universities. Prior to forming The Pulse Group, Tucker was a principal with Arthur Anderson & Company, where he worked in real estate and hospitality advisory capacities. Yale Executive Director of Dining Rafi Taherian made the announcement of Tucker’s new position.

“We’re very excited that Tom has become part of our group,” Taherian said in the press release. “Tom has been a real leader in the industry and has been involved in the development of some very innovative and creative hospitality projects on campuses nationally. His skills in development planning, marketing, merchandising and retail operations are going to be instrumental to our success, as we significantly expand Yale Dining’s retail venues over the next few years”.

Tucker received his bachelor’s degree from St. Michaels College and his master’s degree. from the University of Oregon. He has also been an active member of the National Association of College and University Foodservice for several years, even developing the curriculum for NACUFS’s National Marketing Institute.

“Rafi has a done a superb job in a very short period of time, positioning Yale Dining for solid growth,” Tucker said in the release. “There are so many retail opportunities at Yale, with the development of the new West Campus and the renovations/redevelopment projects occurring on the main campus. I am very much looking forward working with the students, faculty and staff to take Yale’s retail operations into the future, providing venues that are market responsive, attractive, sustainable and enjoyed by a broad spectrum of our community.”