NACUFS announces new board chairperson, chairperson-elect & trustees

July 10, 2025

Christopher Toote, University of Chicago, named 68th chairperson

 

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Campus dining plays a vital role in shaping the student experience—and the leaders behind it are setting the direction for what’s next. The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) today named Christopher Toote, Ph.D., D.Min., MBA, executive director of UChicago Dining at the University of Chicago, as its 68th chairperson. The announcement was made at the NACUFS 2025 National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, where six additional trustees were also installed during the association’s annual General Membership Assembly.

“It’s a privilege to serve as board chair at a time when the role of campus dining is more vital than ever,” said Toote. “As colleges and universities face continued pressures, NACUFS remains focused on supporting foodservice professionals with the tools, insights, and education they need to meet evolving needs. This community leads with both resilience and care—and that’s exactly what will drive innovation, strengthen the student experience, and shape the future of collegiate dining.”

The following individuals were installed on the NACUFS Board of Trustees.

  • Peter Testory, 2025-2026 chairperson-elect, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Garett DiStefano, University of Massachusetts
  • Douglas Frazier, George Washington University
  • Stacey Hepburn-James, Yale University
  • Kris Kotte, Quest Food Management Services
  • Elizabeth Riede, Appalachian State University
  • Jennifer Wood, Touchwork

These trustees will join other current board members:

  • Rahul Shrivastav, immediate past chairperson, Indiana University
  • Christopher Toote, chairperson, University of Chicago
  • Ginnie Dunleavy, treasurer, Rhode Island School of Design
  • Evan Olsen, Florida Institute of Technology
  • Dustin Cutler, Cornell University
  • Jill Horst, University of California-Santa Barbara
  • David Annis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Robert Nelson, NACUFS president & chief executive officer

The NACUFS Board of Trustees is the volunteer-based governing board for the association and sets its strategic direction.