Josh Cathey Promoted to Director of Operations at Eagle Dining
Mon, 09/28/2026 - 03:23pm | By: Stephanie Patterson
Eagle Dining at The University of Southern Mississippi is pleased to announce the promotion of
Josh Cathey to director of operations.
Cathey graduated from Southern Miss in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in tourism management
after beginning his professional career in catering at the Lake Terrace Convention
Center in 2010. Cathey joined Aramark Collegiate Hospitality in 2016 as a catering
chef with Eagle Dining at Southern Miss. In 2021, Cathey was promoted to executive
chef, where his passion and ingenuity were key to Eagle Dining’s success in fueling
great student outcomes.
“Josh has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to providing
an outstanding dining experience for our students and campus community," said Marcus
White, executive director of Dining Services at Southern Miss. "His ability to inspire
others, develop talent, and drive operational excellence makes him the ideal person
to lead our operations team into the future."
Throughout his career, Cathey has earned recognition both within Aramark and across
the industry. Named one of Aramark’s 2023 40 Under 40 awardees, he was a featured
chef on Aramark Young Professionals and assisted in the creation of Aramark’s Culinary
YOUniversity©. Cathey served as a graduate-level preceptor for the nutrition program
and conducted cooking demonstrations for students and community groups. He is also
a two-time South Region Champion in the Culinary Excellence Competition (2023 and
2025) and competed in the National ACE Competition in both New York and Napa, Calif.
“Josh's passion for mentorship and operational excellence has had a tremendous impact
on our campus dining program," said Jacob Cochran, director of procurement, contract
and auxiliary Services at Southern Miss. "His promotion reflects not only his accomplishments
but also the respect he has earned from colleagues, students and the campus community."
A dedicated community leader, Cathey serves on the culinary boards for Hattiesburg
High School and North Forrest High School, focusing on giving back to the next generation
of culinarians. He frequently participates as a guest speaker during local school
career days and remains committed to advancing culinary education throughout the region.
Outside of work, Cathey enjoys spending time with his family and friends and has a
passion for both playing and enjoying live music.
As director of operations, Cathey will oversee Eagle Dining’s daily operations while
continuing to enhance the dining experience for Southern Miss students, faculty, staff
and guests through innovation, service excellence and a commitment to hospitality.
Learn more about Eagle Dining and the services provided to the campus community.
About Aramark Collegiate Hospitality
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality—where futures are better served—has been a trusted dining partner to higher education
institutions for over 50 years. Serving approximately 300 colleges and universities
nationwide, Aramark delivers customized dining and hospitality programs that reflect
the unique culture and needs of each campus. Rooted in a deep commitment to service
for people, partners, the community, and the planet, Aramark goes beyond meals by
curating tailored experiences, supporting success, and cultivating communities. Connect
with Collegiate Hospitality on LinkedIn.
About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions,
Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers,
iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 16 countries
around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture,
our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities,
and the planet. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.