CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The National
Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS), a professional trade
association that supports the non-academic segment of higher education
responsible for generating business through a diverse array of campus services,
today announces Rich Steele has been named CEO. Steele brings 37 years of
higher education experience, including 30 years of student auxiliary services
expertise, to the position.
Steele said, “I am honored to support the work of our members and business
partners as they strive to enrich campus environments and support student
success. I am passionate about the positive impact NACAS has on the
development of higher education professionals and the resulting benefits for
college and university students, faculty, and staff.”
Steele served as the Senior Director for Auxiliary Services at the Georgia
Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA, where he was responsible for the
University Bookstore, Dining Services, Student Center, Vending, Laundry
Service, Postal Service, Retail Services, Childcare, Event Venues. He also
oversaw Golf Course, Campus Card, Trademark Licensing, Print & Copy,
University Banking at other universities.
Earlier in his career, Steele held several management positions in the Student
Center at Georgia Tech. During his tenure, he helped plan, develop, and manage
the 1996 Summer Olympic Village that housed, fed, and entertained 15,000
athletes, coaches, and trainers on the Georgia Tech Campus. He managed the
development and operation of major retail storefronts at Technology Square, the
now-famous innovation district in Midtown Atlanta, GA.
Recently, Steele served as the interim associate vice chancellor for Campus
Enterprises at NC State University, associate vice chancellor for Business
Services, and associate vice chancellor for Facilities Management at UNC
Charlotte.
Steele’s expertise in student auxiliary services was recognized by his election in
2016 as President of NACAS-South, the regional group representing 15 states in
the National Association of College Auxiliary Services. He served as a subject
matter expert during the development of the Certified Auxiliary Services
Professional (CASP) examination and was in the first group to become CASP-
certified in 2011.
He was elected President of the Association of College Unions International
(ACUI) in 2008 and has served as president of multiple non-profit corporations
affiliated with campuses where he worked.
Steele has received several awards. He was honored by NACAS with the
Regional Mentor Award in 2018. He received the inaugural Rich Steele Campus
Services Award from Georgia Tech upon his retirement in 2017. In 2009, he
received the inaugural ACUI Region 6 Richard Steele Distinguished Service
Award (now the ACUI Region 3 Smith-Steele Distinguished Service Award).
Steele holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech,
where he was active in the Student Center Program Council and undergraduate
research. As a staff member at Georgia Tech, he was inducted into the Omicron
Delta Kappa leadership honorary and the ANAK Society, which is considered to
be the highest honor at Georgia Tech.
He has written articles for higher education publications including “Campus
Services” and co-authored chapters in two books on facility-related topics.
For additional information on NACAS, visit: nacas.org. Follow NACAS
on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
About the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS)
Founded in 1969 as the National Association of College Auxiliary Services,
NACAS is a professional trade association that supports the non-academic
segment of higher education responsible for generating business through a
diverse array of campus services that students need and value – such as food
services, bookstores, housing, and transportation. As the leading organization
supporting all campus services, NACAS is the community-of-choice for strategic
leaders who advance campus environments to improve the quality of life for
students.
Editorial note: Access Steele’s headshot here.
Media Contact
Artem Mulitsa
artem.mulitsa@nacas.org
NACAS : 08/28/23
