Tell us a little bit about your role and what you do at the J.
Director of Operations. I oversee Building Services, Food Services, and Events as well as Safety & Security of the campus.
Can you tell us more about the events that happen at the J and why they are important to the community?
I’m new to the events world at the Mayerson JCC but not new to the events industry. I was a touring lighting designer/production manager in the concert production and entertainment industry for 10+ years. I have worked and attended large-scale and small-scale events all over the country. It’s a part of my life that I will never forget, as it’s a community of its own, and something I cared very deeply about. However, I feel like I have really won the jackpot, as I now get to work in another community I care very deeply about, the Jewish community in Cincinnati.
Events and programs here at the JCC are great ways to get our community together, learn about what other organizations in our community are doing, or celebrate and learn about a Jewish holiday. Or they give us a chance just to get together to socialize and party (my personal favorite)! The JCC’s mission of connecting our Jewish community through our Jewish Community Center is done through these events and programs, and that’s why they are so important. I really have been inspired to lift our events to new heights in my role as Director of Operations and have a goal of adding some additional production value to our Amberley event room when the time is right.
What excites you most about coming to work each day?
Every day at the JCC is different from the last. It makes it exciting to come to work and see what the day will bring.
I enjoy seeing the community enjoying our facility, whether they are here to workout, drop off their kids at ECS, or come for a bite to eat at the J Café. It’s the people that make this job special.
The J Cafe has been growing and expanding its menu lately! Can you tell us more about that and your hopes for the cafe?
The J Cafe has been a wonderful and satisfying project to work on since coming on board here at the J. Sean, our new cafe General Manager, and Keith, our Head Chef, has been a great team to be a part of. We have gotten our cafe back to a place where we can serve our community high-quality food from, and that is super exciting. We are back to making fresh-to-order menu items as well as a few fresh grab-and-go items that we are really happy with. I think the J Cafe has the potential to be even more of a focal point for our entire complex. My hopes are that our community will feel like this is a place where they can come meet a friend, hang out, have a 1:1 meeting, get some great food, or enjoy fresh Starbucks coffee.
Anything else you would like to add?
I have a wonderful wife, Mandy, and two amazing daughters, Vera and Elle. I am one of five brothers, and I attended Camp Livingston for 13 summers!
