Developing and Executing Your Dining Technology Strategy

Rona Skinner began her career at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2000. She has had the opportunity to take on progressive leadership roles for the past 23 years and currently serves as the Executive Director of Technology and Innovation for Auxiliary Services.

Ms. Skinner leads a small team of application administrators, support technicians, and a project manager, who oversee all technology initiatives for Housing, Housing Facilities, Dining, and Retail Operations, including new system implementations, daily system maintenance and upgrades for all software and hardware, as well as PCI compliance and security of payment devices. As an active participant in the higher education technology community, Ms. Skinner has a depth of knowledge and experience with many software platforms, including StarRez, Agilysys, Atrium, and Culinary Digital, and is a current member on the StarRez and Agilysys customer advisory boards.

Don LaFlam began his hospitality career at 15, working in a scout camp kitchen on Seneca Lake, NY. He pursued culinary education at Paul Smith's College and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from SUNY Delhi. After gaining experience in various restaurants, he returned to Rochester in 2004 as Executive Chef at the Shadows Golf Club.

Don transitioned to higher education with Chartwells before joining RIT Dining in 2009 as a catering chef. Over the past 13 years, he has progressed to Executive Director, overseeing a staff of over 1,200 and managing revenues exceeding $30 million across various dining services. His expertise spans operations, facilities, and diverse customer bases, enabling him to lead his team effectively. Don has also spearheaded several capital improvement projects and actively volunteers with organizations like NACUFS.

McLean Bulmer started his career at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2017 as a Business Analyst in the RIT Dining office. He has since advanced to Director of Data Management and Governance for Auxiliary Services, acting as a liaison with university technology and data analytics partners. 

Mr. Bulmer leads data and analytics governance activities and utilizes his skills to enhance technology, business processes, and data management. He assists staff and partners in improving data literacy, process workflows, and custom report writing. 

He has also implemented innovative data visualizations to help Auxiliary Services develop strategic plans that positively impact customers and staff. Previously, he worked as a change agent at Fortune 500 technology companies, managing software applications, defining business processes, and building strategic roadmaps that affected operations on a global scale.

Kory Samuels started his career as a student employee in Dining Services at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and has since advanced to the role of Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services. Over 16 years, he has led a team of more than 1,500 employees and managed the multimillion-dollar budget for 25 operations, including housing, dining, and marketing. He focuses on staff development, strategic planning, and the department’s overall vision.

A compassionate leader and advocate for the hospitality industry, Mr. Samuels served as President of NACUFS (National Association of College and University Food Service). He was born and raised in Rochester, NY, and earned his undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems and an MBA from RIT, bringing extensive experience in operations and project management.