Philadelphia-based restaurateur, entrepreneur and author Jeff Benjamin has been named chair of the Board of Visitors at Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM).
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff Benjamin as chair of the STHM Board of Visitors,” said Amy Giddings, associate dean at STHM. “Jeff brings the kind of vision, industry perspective and commitment to excellence that will help propel STHM forward.”
Benjamin is well-known in the hospitality industry, building acclaimed restaurant concepts alongside chef Marc Vetri as well as negotiating the sale of a portion of their restaurant group in 2016. He currently serves as COO and co-founder of concepts for VB Gruppo.
“At a time when we are reimagining how education and industry come together, Jeff’s leadership will be invaluable in strengthening our partnerships, expanding opportunities for our students, and elevating STHM’s impact,” Giddings said. “We are excited not only about what Jeff brings to this role, but about what we can accomplish together.”
Benjamin also recognizes the value that industry professionals, like himself, contribute as a member of the board.
“I’m excited that the faculty of STHM has been deliberate in soliciting members of the hospitality community to serve as members of the board,” Benjamin said. “The board has a real opportunity to connect members of the Temple community with industry leaders.”
In addition to serving as advisors and support to STHM, board members serve as a bridge between academia and industry.
“I am hopeful that the collective experience and breadth of the members of the board will be used to help shape a best-in-class curriculum and career path for our students,” Benjamin said. “In addition, we should become a resource for all hospitality alumni throughout the entirety of their careers.”
Benjamin follows in the footsteps of previous board chair John Kroll, who has a long history of assisting STHM and its extended community.
“We are grateful to John for his longstanding service and commitment to STHM’s Board of Visitors since 2005, including his tenure as board chair,” Giddings said. “For more than two decades, John has been part of an important chapter in the school’s history, supporting our efforts to strengthen connections with industry and advance STHM’s mission.
“We sincerely appreciate the time and commitment he has dedicated to STHM and thank him for his service as we look ahead to the board’s next chapter.”
Benjamin is eager to work with the board, faculty and staff, alumni and industry partners on behalf of STHM and its students.
“The school provides such a great opportunity to help mold the next generation of our industry,” Benjamin said. “While it is relatively young, the impact it has had so far, not just locally, but globally, is so impressive. The next generation of our industry is in such good hands!”
Interested in learning more about Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management? Visit our website.