When Kathleen Seelye speaks, people listen. When she’s listed on a panel or presentation, it’s easy to make a point to attend.
It takes a visit to Microsoft's three-square-mile campus in Redmond, Wash., to fully appreciate the enormous effect Mark Freeman has had on the quality of life there and, by extension, the broader on-site foodservice industry. Throughout his 37-year career, but especially during his 11-year tenure as senior manager of global dining services at Microsoft — where he's been empowered to lead a virtual dining revolution — Freeman has quietly risen to icon status.
From foodservice to the farm
Meet Ken Gill, FE&S' 2015 Hall of Fame Award Winner. During the course of Gill's illustrious career he sold grocery store equipment; opened and ran a successful, multi-location restaurant and started one of the foodservice industry's most successful and respected equipment dealerships, among many other business ventures. Along the way Gill earned the respect of his colleagues, competitors and even suppliers. Even today, he shows no signs of slowing down. What makes FE&S' 2015 Hall of Famer tick? Read on to find out.
Emphasizing hard work, integrity, collaboration and relationships has helped Tom Ricca create a legacy that’s second to none and has earned him recognition as FE&S’ 2014 Hall of Fame Award recipient.
It all starts with the story. This is the Disney way, and it has been for decades.
Thirty years ago David Stafford Sr. bought Stafford-Smith Inc., a Kalamazoo, Mich.-based foodservice equipment and supplies dealership, from his father, and the company has been on the rise ever since. Under Dave's leadership the company has expanded the services it offers and has steadily extended its reach throughout the country.
Treating customers, suppliers and employees all the same, Hockenbergs' Tom Schrack has built a career with honesty, integrity, charity and faith as its cornerstones. And now it has earned Schrack recognition as FE&S' 2011 Hall of Fame Award Winner.
As much as honesty, integrity and family are among the defining traits of Tom Schrack Sr., so too is his generosity. From local nonprofit organizations to his church to keeping the memories of two former Hockenbergs employees alive, Schrack's charitable nature is seemingly limitless.
While Tom Schrack Sr. is the leader of the family business, it is his wife Mary that serves as the stabilizing factor at home for FE&S' 2011 Hall of Fame Award winner.
