Over the past five years, JDRQUEST&CO has placed diverse hospitality talent in senior leadership roles at several universities. Recent hires at Princeton University include: 

Edward Wang, Director of Operations and Project Management
With 20 years experience in senior and client leadership roles in hospitality, finance, educational and senior living markets, Edward brings his creative skills and business acumen to lead operations at Princeton. His diverse educational background – a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts at Seattle University and Masters Degree at Cornell University in Hospitality Food & Beverage Management – and wide-ranging work experience made him a perfect fit for this role.

Tommy Thothongkum, Executive Chef
A native New Yorker, Tommy was taught at an early age that you only get what you want through hard work – but how can you consider work “hard” when you love what you do every day.  As a scholar-athlete in high school, Tommy learned the value of team work and coaching – he has ‘paid forward’ the support he received in his fifteen year career in hospitality. “My goal is to extract the maximum potential from my staff and get them to where they want to be.  Everyone has an important job in reaching our collective goal.”  Tommy has successfully promoted staff to positions of executive sous chef, sous chefs and chef assistants over his tenure at Restaurant Associates where he has spent the last ten years of his career.

David Dembek, Associate Director 
With 12 years of experience in food and beverage and hospitality management, David began his career in hospitality at the Park Ridge Marriott in New Jersey which lead to various leadership roles at food and beverage outlets – banquets and in-room dining – in New York City.  Recognized as manager of the year at the Marriott East Side and leader of the quarter at the Omni Berkshire Place in New York City, his extensive experience building teams, developing relationships with union associates, and implementing processes to ensure successful business operations have been instrumental in his new role at Princeton University.