The leadership structure of Kennesaw State University’s Department of Culinary and Hospitality Services was shaken up by the resignation of award-winning executive director Gary Coltek Sept. 22. Coltek resigned from his duties after a Fox 5 report triggered an investigation of his business practices by KSU officials. His resignation will be effective Nov. 6, 2015.
According to the report by Fox 5 I-Team Reporter Randy Travis, in Jan. 2013, Dr. Randy C. Hinds, Vice President for Operations, reprimanded Coltek for multiple instances of misconduct.
The infractions listed included using a KSU employee to handle Coltek’s personal matters during business hours, using the Commons for personal business gains, suggestions of nepotism, and falsifying a tax document.
In addition to listing the violations committed by Coltek, the reprimand included a memo to Coltek written by Hinds.
Hinds said, “It must be noted that these findings match an ongoing pattern of personal job conduct infractions, less than satisfactory job performance, and generally poor judgment related to the operation of the KSU Commons that has marked nearly your entire employment history at KSU.”
Hinds then stated, “Unless it is demonstrated to my satisfaction that measures to ensure immediate, significant, and sustained improvement are underway, action will be initiated to terminate your employment with KSU.”
Travis’ report continued on to reveal that, in Oct. 2013, “one of Coltek’s many private companies began billing a major vendor Coltek was also supposed to be supervising.”
Travis cited an invoice issued by Coltek’s private company, Foodgenuity, to Sodexo, a company whose website identifies it as “a leading provider of food and facilities management services in North America.” The invoice showed that Sodexo was charged for a retainer of $20,000 and a monthly fee of $3,500 by Coltek’s private business.
Travis’ report noted that the invoice was issued when Sodexo was in a multi-million dollar business deal with KSU.
In an official press release issued by KSU on Oct. 6, officials stated they “are currently conducting an administrative review into the allegations cited on the Oct. 5 Fox 5 news report, involving Gary Coltek.”
The bulletin continued on to say, “Any potential overlaps between Mr. Coltek’s work with outside companies and his role and tenure at the University are included within the scope of that review.”
The findings of the review will be made available to the public once the investigation is completed.
