A Celebration of Gratitude
Last Thursday, we celebrated the upcoming retirement of Ashoke, my boss and mentor for the past 11 years. I found it hard to believe that this day was really here because the day I was hired Ashoke reminded me he would be retiring soon . . . and eleven years later there we were. This is the only boss I have ever had that has retired. I am grateful he decided to stick around for as long as he did because Ashoke was just the kind of boss and leader that we needed to help us to get to where UMass Dining is today.
The retirement event was held by invitation only at Berkshire DC, where around 70 close friends and peers gathered. I think it was the kind of party that Ashoke approved of, something not too big, but more intimate, for those who worked with him closely. UMass Catering did a great job with a several stations of food that were simple but elegantly presented. Over the years, Ashoke has been like a cheerleader for us on the sidelines, never wanting to be in the spotlight, never needing to claim any credit, instead he was one to remind us “it is all about team work”. When we started to win awards, he would always say, “that’s just fabulous. Let’s do it again.”
During the speech, Vice Chancellor Joyce Hatch mentioned Ashoke’s introduction to America with $10 in his pocket. That really struck a bell with me as I had a similar amount in my wallet when I first arrived in Canada from Hong Kong and when I told this to the audience they laughed saying but that was in Canadian funds (and not worth as much at the time); it was good to share a moment of laughter during this emotional event that marked a real milestone in Ashoke’s career.
Several speakers went up to the podium and thanked him for his leadership and said how honored they felt to have the chance to work for him and the university. Some even mentioned how being hired by Ashoke forever changed their career path for the better.
When it was my turn at the podium, somehow I was able to keep it together while praising Ashoke for his job well done! Here’s some of what I had to say:
“Ashoke hired me 11 years ago. He did not know what he was getting into then. He didn’t know too much about me with just my resume and several reference checks to go by – but he thought he had found the right person to just turn dining services into one of the best in the country.
He told me to take charge, to install the best practices and to raise the bar and to put our students first. Or as the saying goes “Just Do It”. He told me to never get too comfortable or complacent but to always continue to improve.
My boss, Ashoke, is very passionate when it comes to the topic of cleaning and sanitation. He always wants us to keep our floors as clean as Penske, that’s Penske as in the racing team, that has floors so clean that you can eat off them.
Let me tell you, Ashoke is first and foremost, very passionate about food and service; he wants things to be the best they can be, always taking small steps before a giant leap. He is well read about best business practices in the Fortune 500 companies, he adores GE, P&G, the history channel, and hopefully UMass Dining as well.
Under his leadership Auxiliary Services has won over 30 national awards in food and sanitation in the short span of the last 10 years and there will be more to come, in tribute to his legacy.”
Thanks Ashoke for believing in me; I will always treasure the great memories of our journey together at UMass Dining under your wise leadership. Everyone who has worked with you wishes you, Ashoke, and Georgina, your beautiful wife, a healthy and happy retirement. And if ever you get tired of eating at home, come and see us!
This is Ken Toong and thank you for keeping UMass Dining at the top.
Contact Ken at ktoong@mail.aux.umass.edu
You can follow Ken Toong on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/KenToong