Eric Blackledge has been appointed executive director of the Faculty Student Association (FSA), doing business as Campus Dining and Shops (CDS), after a national search.

Blackledge joined FSA in 2013 as a general manager after holding positions with several national food service organizations. He was promoted to assistant dining director in 2018, and has served as both acting executive director and interim executive director during the past 12 months.

“Over the past year, under Eric’s thoughtful leadership, the FSA has successfully transitioned through the various stages of the pandemic while maintaining customer satisfaction and open communication within the organization and with university leadership,” says Beth Corry, FSA board chair and associate vice president and controller for UB.

“Members of the board and university leadership look forward to continuing to work with Eric to further the FSA’s mission to offer high-quality, high-value and innovative dining options to the university community,” adds Sarah Augustynek, chair of the FSA Personnel Committee and compliance office for the School of Dental Medicine.

The FSA is a multi-unit company employing over 1,300 people at UB. In addition to providing the university’s dining services, CDS also serves the UB community through management of the UB Card Office, Three Pillars Catering, retail and convenience stores, vending, concessions, apparel and merchandise, as well as accounting services for UB student governments.