FROM UCLA: DISNEYLAND NAMES NIVEN FOOD OPERATIONS VICE PRES.

Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, has appointed Mary Muller Niven as vice pres. of food operations, a position which she assumed on June 5.

Formerly assoc, dir. of housing and dining svcs. at Univ. of California-Los Angeles, Niven ensures that "food operations meet customer and financial requirements and coordinates concept development for the new Disney's California Adventure theme park," she says.

The new park will debut on Feb. 8, 2001, connected to Disneyland by Downtown Disney, an area full of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.

Future focus: "I come to an organization that has tremendous power. As I look to the future, for the long-term success of Disney's food operations, it's about focusing on creating the experience and the menu, and making food operations a part of the story told in each area of the park," says Niven.

Universities and theme parks have a lot in common, she explains. "People don't go to either because of the food, but the food impacts their experience. Both are very large organizations with ambitious goals, with challenges and opportunities for food that you wouldn't get in organizations strictly focused on food. It's more complex and will help me assimilate myself and look for strategic opportunities in making the food operations more successful."

Niven's workload will increase considerably in her new position, and she will have many people reporting to her. "I'm not coming into a one-man show. There are tremendous opportunities in the next year, with 20 new food locations opening in the new theme park and we want to continue to strive to push the envelope at the existing food operations in Disneyland."

Several others from university f/s have "gone to Disneyland" prior to Niven. Mike Berry, v.p. of food operations and concept development, was formerly director at Harvard Univ.; Susan Wilke, dir. of food operations, was formerly dir. of dining at San Diego State Univ.; and Husein Kitabwalla moved to Disney from Ashland Univ. but now serves Wood Dining Svcs. (formerly The Wood Co.) in a marketing capacity.