Culinary Services announces retirements of Charles ‘Chuck’ Wagers and Gail Washington

Ohio University Culinary Services announces the retirement of Charles “Chuck” Wagers, assistant director of retail operations, and Gail Washington, production specialist at the Central Food Facility.

Washington and Wagers will both be greatly missed and Culinary Services extends its congratulations and best wishes to these outstanding employees.

Charles ‘Chuck’ Wagers

Wagers is retiring following 10 years of dedicated service to Ohio University.

Throughout his career, Wagers has demonstrated exceptional commitment, leadership and mentorship. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the department’s operations, team development and campus partnerships.

During his time in this role, Wagers achieved numerous accomplishments, including fostering positive relationships with colleagues and campus partners while serving as chair of the Culinary Services Safety Committee and the Culinary Services Development Committee.  

He provided leadership and support through his service on the Major Events Committee, DOSA Student Engagement and Leadership – DOSA Priority Team, Student to Professional Sub-Committee, and the DOSA Events Committee.  He also served as departmental liaison to the Cat’s Cupboard food pantry and the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control.

Wagers reimaged and reinstated concessions at Rinkside for home hockey games in collaboration with Well-Being and Recreation, along with re-establishing concessions for all performances in Memorial Auditorium.  He also led the recentralization of the Culinary Services student hiring process, improving both consistency and accuracy, while contributing to the 2017 Latitude 39 renovation through furniture and décor selection, menu development, and overall concept design.

Wagers has served the Board of Trustees and University leadership, while also leading numerous catering events, including special activities at Commencement and Homecoming

During his time at OHIO, he has consistently prioritized responsiveness to the needs of those served by Culinary Services, striving to meet and exceed expectations. He has also championed the growth and development of team members, fostering an environment that values collaboration and recognizes individual contributions to overall success.

Prior to joining Ohio University, Wagers was the director of campus dining and conference services at the College of Wooster.

Wagers will officially retire on August 8, 2026.

Gail Washington

During her many years of service to the University, Washington has played an integral role in numerous initiatives and operational successes. Her career reflects a deep commitment to excellence, growth and mentorship.

Washington began her journey as a student employee and advanced through several key leadership roles, including assistant manager, production manager and general manager, before serving as production specialist.

In this role, she trained production managers for nearly two decades and led operations within the test kitchen, working closely with Culinary’s Cook 3 staff. She also supported the opening of the Central Support Kitchen and fulfilled Registered Dietitian responsibilities prior to the position being formally established, ensuring accurate nutritional information to support student needs.

Washington was also a leader within the FoodPro system, where she managed recipes, inventory ingredients and allergen tracking. As the lead for the FoodPro team, she helped ensure consistency, accuracy and efficiency across Culinary operations.

Additionally, Washington fostered strong relationships with local vendors such as Jerry’s Panda Market, Kindred Market and area bread suppliers, contributing to the quality and reliability of OHIO's food services.

Over the years, Washington has truly been the “invisible glue” behind the scenes, helping to keep Culinary Services running smoothly. Her knowledge, dedication and impact are immeasurable.

Washington will be retiring on Friday, July 31, 2026.