On Oct. 29, Manager of Business Services Fred Linger sent out an email announcing that AVI Director of Operations Bob Zoldak will be taking over as Kenyon AVI’s resident dining director, succeeding Chris Wisbey, who has held this position since January of 2017. 

Wisbey will move forward within AVI Foodsystems as a district manager. He explained that although he will no longer be working directly on campus, the College will still be under his leadership. As such, he will continue to make frequent visits through next semester, providing the AVI staff with support where it is needed. 

Both Wisbey and Zoldak’s management visions are largely centered around sustainability. Throughout Wisbey’s time at the College, supporting local farmers and keeping Kenyon’s carbon footprint low has remained a top priority. 

As Zoldak takes on this new position, he hopes to increase the proportion of Kenyon’s annual budget that it devotes to its local farm partners. “Last year we hit forty three percent, representing about $750,000. I would like to increase our participation to fifty-five percent in the coming years — Covid willing,” he wrote in an email to the Collegian. 

Zoldak indicated that this sustainability commitment is just as much about helping the environment as it is about community engagement. “Supporting our local farmers ensures our serving the freshest ingredients to our students. It also assists us in reducing our carbon footprint,” Zoldak said. “We only have one earth and we all should be committed to protecting her.”

Both Zoldak and Wisbey hope for a seamless transition, and they do not anticipate any major changes within Kenyon’s dining system as a result of the leadership change. “We share the same vision for our program here at Kenyon,” Zoldak said. “I personally look forward to building stronger relationships within the student body as well as Faculty. Kenyon is truly a special place and I am honored to be here.”