Hospitality provider anticipates major construction projects as part of its ongoing growth strategy
BUFFALO, N.Y. (April 30, 2008) – Delaware North Companies, a leading global hospitality and food service provider, has named Jim Houser to the new position of vice president of facilities.
The new position was created to address the increasing number of major construction projects the company is undertaking in support of the hospitality, food service, and retail services it provides at sports venues, airports, parks, resort hotels, and gaming venues, said Dennis Szefel, Delaware North’s chef administrative officer.
"Delaware North Companies has significant facilities and construction projects underway in every industry in which we operate. Having someone who understands Delaware North’s unwavering standards and focus on operational excellence is very important to these projects’ ultimate success. Jim has built an outstanding reputation in the sports industry and I look forward to him expanding his reach into our other business lines," Szefel said.
Houser will lead and manage the construction and facilities function in collaboration with leaders of the company’s various business lines, establishing annual and strategic business goals for facilities projects to ensure they are consistent with the company’s overall strategy. In addition, Houser will provide management direction to the corporate facilities group in the coordination of all construction projects across the company.
Delaware North Companies has seen strong growth in the last several years as it has undertaken construction on new venues and locations as well as significant renovations at many of its airport, sports, parks, resorts and gaming venues.
Houser has helped manage a number of major construction projects as chief operating officer of Delaware North Companies Sportservice since 2001.
"Given his wide range of experience in new construction projects, including Busch Stadium in St. Louis, PETCO Park in San Diego, Miller Park in Milwaukee and the planned new Minnesota Twins ballpark, Jim will be able to blend the needs of new business, operations and strategy into the facilities design, procurement and construction process for Delaware North," Szefel said.
As Sportservice’s chief operating officer and prior to that as vice president of operations for Sportservice, Houser managed Sportservice’s operations and its efforts to realize growth potential for its concessions, fine dining and retail groups. In his 25 years with Sportservice, Houser has also served as an acting general manager for Sportservice’s operations at Cincinnati’s former Cinergy Field and also director of labor relations.
In 2006, Houser received the inaugural President’s Award of Excellence – Delaware North’s highest operational award. At that time, Delaware North Companies President Charles Moran cited Houser’s unwavering commitment to operational excellence and his ability to support the company’s strategies in a world-class manner.
Houser earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and has taken a variety of training and management development courses over the years. He will continue to reside in the Buffalo area in his new position working out of Delaware North’s global headquarters.