Joseph T. O’Donnell, Ed.D., CEC serves as a lecturer and General Manager of the Club at Gateway Center the Hospitality and Tourism Department’s  Student Operated Restaurant.  He has been at UNT since the fall of 2013.    

Joe is a forty plus year veteran of the hospitality industry who spent over twenty two years in the private club sector with ClubCorp.  Over the course of those years with ClubCorp he served as an Executive Chef, Regional Executive Chef, General Manager, and as a Regional Manager.  Additionally, he provided opening support to over twenty new properties, served on numerous standing committees focused on Food & Beverage, Human Resources, and Operating Standards. 

In addition to his Club career, he has served in the capacities of: Academic Director for the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Programs at The Art Institute of Houston, Hotel Executive Chef, Restaurant General Manager, and Stadium Food Service Operations Manager.

He likes to highlight the fact that he has been a life-long learner who has completed four degrees and a graduate certificate as a working adult and to that end; has an extremely strong commitment to student success.

His favorite quote is: “The Main Thing is to always keep The Main Thing The Main Thing”… Stay Focused My Friends! (Unknown)