Aramark's COO of U.S. Food & Facilities, Marc Bruno, announced that Sasha Day has been named president and CEO of Aramark Destinations, effective immediately. In her new role, Day will lead Aramark’s operations in National Parks, cultural landmarks, hotels and conference centers across the country.
Bruce Fears, who first joined Aramark in 1974, and most recently served as president and CEO of Aramark Destinations, announced his retirement, effective in December.
“I am so pleased that Sasha is returning to her roots in our Destinations business,” Bruno said in the announcement. “With her knowledge of the industry, and her extensive experience in finance, operations, strategy, and business development, she’s the perfect choice for this important position.”
Bruno added, “I am so grateful for all the years Bruce served Aramark and this industry. His commitment to some of the country’s most iconic places is legendary.”
Sasha Day
Day joined Aramark in 2003 as director of finance for Aramark Conference Centers, which then merged with the company’s Parks division, now known as Destinations. In 2005, she became the director of business development for Destinations and Harrison Lodging and excelled in that role for three years. In 2008, she joined Sports & Entertainment (which included Destinations at the time), serving as vice president of compliance and then vice president of consumer strategy.
She left Aramark for five years, serving in executive positions at Sylvan Learning, first as chief people officer and then chief product officer, responsible for the operational performance of over 500 learning centers. Rejoining Aramark in 2018, Day took on the lead growth role in Sports & Entertainment, and most recently, served in the same role for Collegiate Hospitality, where she was responsible for driving the business’s growth strategy, leading the business development team and fostering client relationships. Before joining Aramark, Day held a variety of positions in both finance and strategy for Fannie Mae, Mercer Management Consulting, and Arthur Anderson.
Bruce Fears
Fears first joined Aramark in 1974, as Food and Beverage Manager at Skyland Lodge in Shenandoah National Park, eventually becoming a Regional Vice President and playing an integral role on the company’s management team at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. After leaving Aramark for nine years, he returned in 2005 to lead the Destinations team. With half a century of experience in the hospitality industry, Fears is a recognized leader in the travel and tourism community. He has served on the National Board of the Travel Industry of America and the California State Park Concessions Board, has testified before Congress on National Park Concession’s Policy, and was a presenter at the World Congress of Parks in South Africa in 2004. He has also served as Vice Chairman of the National Park Hospitality Association and was a member of the National Parks Service Centennial Advisory Commission. He was one the founding members of the Grand Circle Association and is currently a board member of the Park Institute of America.
