POTSDAM — The Potsdam Auxiliary and College Educational Services Board of Directors has appointed Patrick B. Gray '00 to the position of executive director. Gray will succeed Daniel J. Hayes in May. Hayes, as executive director, has led the corporation since 1982.

Gray is PACES' current director of dining services. He joined PACES in 2013 and holds a business administration degree from SUNY Potsdam.

"On behalf of the PACES Board of Directors and the SUNY Potsdam Division of Student Affairs, I wish to congratulate Patrick Gray on his appointment to lead PACES as the new executive director. As both an alumnus and a longtime leader in dining services, Pat has demonstrated integrity, Potsdam pride, and a commitment to customer service throughout his time with us already. We have no doubt that he will continue to serve our campus community well in his new role. I also wish to thank Dan Hayes for his many years of dedicated service," said Dean of Students Eric Duchscherer.

"I recognize what big shoes I have to fill," said Gray. "Dan has provided vision, creative leadership, and excellent management of the Corporation for many years. Under his leadership PACES has become a multi-million dollar operation that is a valued and essential part of the Potsdam community."

PACES operating areas include dining services, The College Store, vending, washers and dryers, and administrative services, as well as accounting and banking services for the Student Government Association and campus agency accounts at SUNY Potsdam. PACES also operates the Bear Express off campus merchant program, allowing students to pay at local businesses using their SUNY student ID cards.

Gray will continue to work with the PACES Dining Services management team. They are relocating the campus's two Starbucks Proudly Serve Cafes into a central location in the Barrington Student Union. The new location, which will open later this summer, will offer students and Potsdam residents greater access to Starbucks beverages and grab-and-go items. The Cafe will be open evenings and weekends in the fall.