BENTONVILLE -- Northwest Arkansas Community College's culinary institute is without a leader. Glenn Mack recently resigned as executive director of Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food.
Mack submitted his resignation Oct. 15 to Evelyn Jorgenson, the college's president, according to statement from the college.
"The faculty and staff of NorthWest Arkansas Community College are extremely appreciative of Dr. Mack's work on behalf of Brightwater and NWACC and wish him the very best with his future endeavors," the statement reads.
The college hired Mack as Brightwater's first executive director in 2015. A message left on his cell phone wasn't returned before 5 p.m.
His resignation letter didn't include a reason for leaving. The letter is dated for Oct. 3 and asks the resignation be effective Oct. 15.
"Thank you for the opportunity to create Brightwater," Mack wrote. "If this timeline does not work, I will be willing to assist NWACC as a consultant during the transitional period as you seek new leadership."
The college will use its standard procedure of finding a new executive director. The position will be posted, applications will be accepted and a hiring committee will do interviews, said Lisa Anderson, the college's executive director of planning, effectiveness and public relations.
The school hasn't set a timeline for the hiring process, said Wendi Cadle, the college's human resources director.
Mack was chairman of the International Association of Culinary Professionals Board for six years before taking the position at Brightwater, according to his Linkedin profile. He also served as the dean of the At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy in Singapore and worked with Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in four U.S. cities.
Mack earned a bachelor's degree in Russian language and literature from the University of Texas and a master's degree in Soviet studies and communication from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He was the photo editor at Time magazine in Moscow for seven years in the late '80s and early '90s.
The college's culinary school was in the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers before the former Tyson Food plant at 801 S.E. Eighth St. was renovated into the 8th Street Market in Bentonville.
The culinary school was renamed Brightwater when it moved into its new location and became an anchor tenant in 8th Street Market. It held its inaugural classes in January 2017.
NW News on 10/25/2018