USC Names New Hospitality Director

The University of Southern California Hospitality has named Kris Klinger director of hospitality. He most recently served as corporate director for Strategic Alliance Group, where he oversaw a multi-faceted cross-section of accounts for Compass Group.

Now returning to his alma mater, Klinger will lead USC Hospitality in strategy development and customer service programs, while continuing to revitalize the dining program both on- and off-campus. One of Klinger’s first initiatives will be to further advance USC Hospitality’s commitment to providing sustainable and fresh food options by revamping the existing choices on the Health Sciences Campus, including expanding the recently launched Farmers’ Market, the result of the success of last year’s Trojan Fresh Market on the main campus. Another primary objective on Klinger’s agenda consists of spearheading the development and selection of the wide-ranging dining options for the new 192,000- sq.ft. Ronald Tutor Campus Center, due to open next fall.

“We welcome Kris Klinger to the USC family and team,” says Ian Sephton, assistant vice president of auxiliary services. “We are dedicated to meeting the community’s dining needs by bringing fresh, inventive ideas and concepts onto campus. Kris will be a huge asset in the continued development and growth of USC Hospitality.”

Klinger will collaborate with the USC Hospitality team and work with campus partners at all 32 dining concepts on USC’s two campuses, as well as off-campus restaurants such as Rosso’s Pizzeria, The Lab, McKay’s and the recently opened URBNMRKT. USC Hospitality also revamped the food and beverage program for the Radisson hotel at USC, and is expanding its on- and off-campus catering capabilities and portfolio of special events venues.