meet the team

With a BS in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from Virginia Tech, JP started with our parent company, Aramark in Raleigh, NC and was promoted to District Manager in 2008. JP join us after 8 years with Starbucks Coffee Company, most recently as a Regional Director overseeing 118 coffeehouses before moving to Boston. JP loves to spend time smoking just about anything (briskets, ribs, chicken...etc.), running, playing golf and spending time with his family.

Douglas was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. With over 20 years of hospitality experience, he has worked as an Executive Chef, General Manager, and Area Manager throughout his career. In September 2024, he joined the Brandeis team and is excited to continue the great work the team has already done.

Chef Steve brings 30 years of experience in food service to the Brandeis community. A graduate of Newbury College, he has spent 17 years working at restaurants and country clubs in Boston and the South Shore. Additionally, he has 12 years of experience in collegiate dining, having worked at institutions such as MIT, Wentworth, the Massachusetts College of Art, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Suffolk University, and Boston University.

Allison works with our culinary and sourcing teams to promote sustainability and resiliency in dining and reduce our environmental footprint. She's passionate about leveraging the university dining system to help expand food and sustainability literacy. Previously, Allison worked with the Sustainable Business Network of MA, the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative, GrowFood Carolina, and Dining Services at the College of Charleston (CofC). She holds a Bachelor of Arts from CofC and a Master's of Public Policy from Northeastern University.

Nicole, originally from Monroe, Connecticut, has a strong background in Food Service Management and Clinical Nutrition. She earned her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Biology from the University of Connecticut and went on to complete her dietetic internship at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center. Nicole is excited to bring her passion and experience to the Brandeis Hospitality team!

Omar Zouak, originally from Morocco, joined the Brandeis hospitality team in August 2022 with five years of experience in food service, 2 of those years in higher education and with a bachelor's degree in law school back in Morocco. You will often see Omar lending a helping hand behind the scenes or in the dining area. Feel free to say hello or come to him with questions you may have about The Farm Table or Kosher Table at Sherman.

Ashley Weaver grew up on the Central Coast of California where she received a degree in Theatre Management, before moving to the Greater Boston area in search of adventure. With ten years of experience in higher education food service and twenty years in the service industry; she is passionate about the history of food and culinary arts. She is a firm believer in the saying, "Food is our common ground, a universal experience." When not in the dining hall or helping behind the line, you can find Ashley watching the Bruins or camped out at the local bookstore.

Craig is born and raised in Massachusetts, where he recently worked for a marketing agency leading all client campaigns. A Johnson & Wales University graduate, Craig has a background in sales, marketing and branding as well as past background in hospitality. Craig is married and has a younger daughter. He is excited to bring these skills to this position.

Alan grew up in Southwest Florida, and has adventured up the entire Atlantic seaboard with his wife, Victoria, to the Boston area several years ago. Alan has been in restaurant management for almost twenty years. He joined the Harvest Table team two years ago and has been focused on providing excellent guest service for students ever since. When not at work you can find Alan playing video games, reading, or programming.

Kennya Martinez has been with Harvest Table Culinary Group for four years and joined the Brandeis University dining team in 2022. As Associate Experience Manager, she focuses on creating positive employee experiences, fostering community, and supporting professional growth. With a background in Human Resources and employee engagement, Kennya is a people-focused leader dedicated to ensuring that team members feel celebrated, recognized, empowered, and respected. She believes that people are at the heart of every great experience and is committed to creating an environment where individuals can thrive, contribute, and feel valued.