Our People

Administration

David Eichstaedt

David Eichstaedt

General Manager

617-287-3022
[email protected]

I was delighted to accept the opportunity to lead the UMass Club in February of 2016. I look forward to bringing the same level of award-winning atmosphere and service that I helped bring to the UMass Amherst Dining program where I was a senior manager since 2004. Most recently, as Director of Retail Dining, I was responsible for 32 retail food outlets; campus-wide catering; concessions; the University Club; and supervision of the $19.5 million renovation project and grand-re-opening of the nationally acclaimed Blue Wall Eatery in the Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center. I hold an undergraduate degree in Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University, and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management (UMass Amherst, 2009). While not working at the Club, I enjoy spending time with my wife Sara, and my two teenage sons, Davis and Andrew.

Gwen Richter

Gwen Richter

Controller

617-287-3016
[email protected]

I am excited to be here on the management team here at the Club as Controller. Originally from the Boston area, I earned by bachelor’s degree in business management. After working in corporate accounting in Boston, I relocated to Aspen Colorado where I pursued work in resort and hospitality accounting joining the Aspen Square Hotel, and on the Opening Team of Dancing Bear Aspen, a private HOA Club. After twelve years in Colorado, I returned to New England and landed on Nantucket Island. There I was on the Management team in Accounting for Nantucket Island Resorts for six years. I am so thrilled to be back home in the amazing City of Boston. When I am not working, I enjoy visiting Aspen and Nantucket. I currently reside in the Beacon Hill Neighborhood of Boston.

Dining

Executive Chef Stephen Lazdowsky

Executive Chef


Steve entered the culinary industry at the age of 13 as a dishwasher and he never looked back. Before jumping into the Country Club landscape, Chef Steve worked for Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse for many years working his way up through the ranks including Executive Chef for many years. Other culinary accomplishments on his resume include opening multiple restaurants, catering, consulting, private chef, and working as a support Chef for friends and businesses, including 2022’s Players’ Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

Raised in Mansfield, MA, he is a New Englander through and through. Having lived in Long Beach, California for a short time and returning to his home state to continue his career as a chef. He prides himself not only in delivering high quality food, but also team building, stressing that great people build a consistent and great restaurant. He understands and appreciates how important his culinary team is to him and that they all bring so much effort behind the scenes helping to make Umass club a great place to work and be enjoyed by all.

Chef Steve currently resides in Westwood, MA with his wife Paulina, two-year-old son Jack, newborn daughter Madilyn, and his 155-pound Great Pyrenees Otis (named after Otis Redding, his favorite singer of all time). Steve keeps a close eye on the culinary world outside of the club, reading blogs, books, social media trends and watching documentaries of some of his favorite chefs, his current top chef is David Chang, and he recommends everyone read his book, “Eat a Peach”, for an interesting perspective into the world of being a chef. Outside of the culinary world, Steve enjoys anything involving music and songwriting, and has taught himself multiple instruments over the years. He also enjoys travelling, including haven driven across the United States. His favorite places he has travelled to include New Zealand, Spain and taking an overnight trip to Philadelphia with his brother for Philly Cheesesteaks. If you were to ask him what his favorite thing to cook is, his answer is “making something great out of nothing”.

Events

Paige MacPherson

Paige MacPherson

Private Events Coordinator

617-287-3023
[email protected]

As a 2016 graduate of UMass Amherst, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work at the UMass Club. During my college years, I entered the Hospitality industry working at the Wianno Club in Osterville, MA. I participated in a Food and Beverage internship, and worked my way up to a supervisory position. After graduation, I accepted a position at Charlotte Country Club in Charlotte, NC. There I participated in an extensive management internship. I had the opportunity to learn from, and work with, some of the best managers in the industry. As much as I enjoyed my time in Charlotte, I greatly desired to return to New England. I am so excited to be back home with friends and family - for the opportunity to learn and grow with the UMass Club!