Rich Neumann, director of culinary services for Ohio University, is the 2017 recipient of The Theodore Minah Distinguished Service Award presented by The National Association of College and University Food Services.

The Theodore W. Minah Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual for that person’s “outstanding and enduring contributions to NACUFS and the foodservice industry.” Each year, following a nomination process, nominees are evaluated and one recipient is chosen by the NACUFS board of trustees and the past presidents.

Neumann acts as treasurer for NACUFS, a position he has held since 2007. In 2013 Neumann represented NACUFS Internationally by delivering a keynote presentation on benchmarking at the University Caterers Organization (TUCO) Conference in Wales, United Kingdom. Neumann was part of the project team recognized by FE&S with the magazine’s 2017 Facility Design Project of the Year Award for their work on The District on West Green in Boyd Hall.

“During my 28-year career at Ohio, I have been fortunate to work with and now lead a team of diverse professionals who have developed and now run restaurant quality operations on our campus, serving 4.1 million meals annually,” Neumann said. “Parents and alumni visiting Ohio this past year have said we offer world class food in an environment that is on trend.”