One of campus’ newest members has left after a two-month stint.

Daniel Macrelli, retail and catering manager with Sodexho, turned in his letter of resignation three weeks ago.

He left last week to pursue another job opportunity.

“I am really confident in him,” said Munawar Ahmed, director of food services.

“It was just a better opportunity for him.”

Ahmed said Macrelli left to take another position in the food industry, which would allow him to follow his need to be a chef.

“It lined up more with his career,” Ahmed said.

Macrelli was not available for an interview, but Ahmed said there were no hard feelings toward the decision.

“It was nice to have him,” Ahmed said. “He still has my support.”

He said the food services have several changeovers and Macrelli’s leaving was something that comes up.

“I’ve been in this position before,” Ahmed said.

The job position is posted on the Sodexho Web site and there have already been applicants looking at the opportunity.

Ahmed has conducted one telephone interview and is expecting more interviews to come.

The Sodexho team has been working to keep up without Macrelli.

“I’ve helped picked up with the extra work,” Ahmed said. “I don’t want the service and quality to fall. The team does not let things go through the cracks.”

Candi Camp, cashier in the Lion’s Den, said she will miss Macrelli.

“It was just all of a sudden,” she said. “It was like, ‘you’re doing what?'”

Macrelli kept the atmosphere of the workplace light, but also serious when need be.

“He was doing a lot more than being a chef,” she said. “He joked around and had a lot of fun, but he was still serious about his job. I think that is very important.”

Camp said Macrelli’s new position will allow him more opportunities in the future.

However, she said his presence was notable at Missouri Southern.

“He was really out going, really friendly and enthusiastic about his job,” she said. “He tried not to let things get him down.”

Camp said Macrelli liked Southern, but he told her he needed to go to something more along his career track.

She said the work involved with Sodexho can be overwhelming at times, but Macrelli was able to work with it.

“He took it all in stride and took care of us,” she said.

Ahmed said if anyone on campus knows someone wanting to apply for the position, he is open for questions.

He may be reached at 625-3723 or through e-mail at [email protected].