Food industry executive Richard L. Mazer has been elected the 19th chairman of the board of The Culinary Institute of America. He succeeds former Dunkin’ Brands CEO Jon Luther in this position. “Richard Mazer has long been a trusted consultant and leader in the food business, and played a key role in Ventura Foods’ rise to prominence,” CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan said. “Richard brings valuable experience and industry insight to his role as board chair, and I look forward to working with him as we move the CIA into the future,” he said.

Before his retirement as CEO of Ventura Foods in 2010, Mazer had been a key player in the foodservice industry for more than 25 years. At Ventura — a company that makes cooking oils, shortenings, cooking sprays and other edible oil products — his leadership positions included chief operating officer, president and CEO. During his tenure, the company grew from $500 million to more than $2 billion in annual sales. Prior to joining Ventura Foods, Mazer was a consultant to producers, manufacturers, retailers and grocery and convenience store wholesalers. He previously held management positions in the business world at Deloitte and Touche; Kidder, Peabody & Co.; and Boston Consulting Group before specializing in the business of food. Mazer holds degrees in both economics and management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to serving on the board of trustees of the CIA, Mazer has been a member of the boards of Food for All, Gardenburger, Thrifty Foods of Burlington, Hospital Cost Consultants, and Accountants, Inc. “I am deeply honored to become chairman of The Culinary Institute of America,” Mazer said. He joined the board of trustees of the college in 2007 and served as vice chairman for the past two years. “Since its founding in 1946, the college has trained thousands of chefs for work in a vibrant hospitality industry and has distinguished itself as the premier culinary school in the world. I am proud of the work the CIA does and proud to be associated with such a well-run institution,” he said. New members of the board for 2018 are Stanley Cheng, CEO of the Meyer Corporation; Noah Glass, founder and CEO of Olo; Cheryl Henry, president and COO of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.; and Robert Unanue, president of Goya Foods, Inc. The CIA Board of Trustees consists of 25 leaders in the foodservice industry and business world. They provide expert governance and guidance for the not-for-profit college, and are not compensated for their services. – Source: Patch/Mid Hudson Valley.