Dr. Rummy Pandit Named Executive Director of LIGHT at Stockton

On Jul 9, 2015

Dr. Rummy Pandit was named executive director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) by the Stockton University Board of Trustees this week, replacing Dr. Israel Posner, who retired after 42 years of service at Stockton.

“Stockton University, its Provost’s Office, and the School of Business are very proud of the contributions that LIGHT has made to the region and the opportunities it has created on behalf of the University’s mission as well as the many benefits to our students and faculty,” said Acting President Harvey Kesselman.  “With Dr. Pandit at the helm, the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute at Stockton will continue to provide educational and research opportunities for its students and faculty while supporting the state’s gaming, hospitality and tourism industries.”

Dr. Pandit, who has been at Stockton since 2011, had served as the executive director of the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, overseeing the facility’s $20 million operational and financial performance. He also served as interim associate vice president, Facilities and Plant Operations at Stockton.

He has held previous positions in both academia and the hospitality industry, including serving as associate dean for Business Management at the Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, NY, and as assistant dean and executive director of Hospitality Management at Rutgers University. He also has managed hotel operations in New York, Boston and Atlantic City.

“I am looking forward to continuing LIGHT’s tradition of research and working with the advisory board to explore new opportunities,” Dr. Pandit said.

LIGHT’s new executive director recently received his doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University and holds a Master’s in Business Administration in Finance from Rutgers and a Master’s in Hotel Administration of Cornell at L’Ecole Supérieure Des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (ESSEC) in Paris. He currently serves as an adjunct instructor in Stockton’s School of Business.

He is active in the community and serves on the board of the Literacy Volunteers Association Cape-Atlantic. He also has served on the boards of the American Red Cross, Atlantic and Cumberland chapters, the Atlantic-Cape May Counties Workforce Investment Board and the Greater Atlantic City Region Tourism Council. He served as a member of the education committee of the Atlantic City Hotel & Lodging Association and is active in the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic City Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association and other groups.

LIGHT will report directly to Dr. Susan Davenport, interim provost and executive vice president, although it retains its strong connection to the School of Business and Dean Janet Wagner.

Felicia Grondin, who had been serving LIGHT as research associate, was named associate director. Grondin has worked in higher education, county government and the executive, judicial and legislative branches of state government.

She is experienced in addressing public policy issues with a focus on Atlantic City and its gaming industry, having served as chief of staff for a state assemblyman and as legislative liaison and senior policy adviser for the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

Grondin has been actively involved in a number of Atlantic City community initiatives over the years. One of the most significant projects was leading the effort to restore Atlantic City’s Absecon Lighthouse, for which she acquired $3.5 million in grant funding. Since the restoration, Absecon Lighthouse has become one of Atlantic City’s most popular non-gaming tourist destinations.

Grondin earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Rutgers – Newark and a B.A. from Stockton University.

Dr. Posner, the outgoing executive director of LIGHT, retired as of June 30. His previous positions at Stockton included: associate professor and coordinator of the Psy­chology Program and director of Management Development and Professional Services.

Dr. Posner says in retirement, he plans to “watch many sunrises,” and he looks forward to seeing his children contribute to a better society.

“Dr. Posner has done a phenomenal job as executive director of LIGHT, and he will be sorely missed in our community and southern New Jersey,” said Acting President Kesselman.

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