One doesn't need to know a lot about foodservice design to realize that for such a phrase to exist, it must refer to someone who is not only highly regarded but who has attained the pinnacle of peer recognition and respect.

The number of times we hear this phrase as we travel around the country gathering stories for both this magazine and restaurant development + design bears testimony to the influence and impact of our 2014 Hall of Famer, Tom Ricca. I know that you will enjoy learning more about Tom's amazing career in this issue (page 26). We are always thrilled when we get the chance to bring you stories about the people who have helped to shape the E&S industry, and Tom Ricca has certainly helped to define what it means to be a foodservice consultant.

Also in this issue, we will introduce you to FE&S' 2014 Top Achievers. These folks are just beginning to affect the foodservice industry in their own ways, but their success in today's rapidly changing and competitive landscape is no less instructive. Earlier this year at the NAFEM Annual Meeting and Management
Workshop, a lot of time and thought went into a discussion about the future of the industry and attracting the next generation of leaders. Our Top Achievers are representative of that group of future leaders and their aspirations offer insight into what that future might look like.

Finally, April is our Distribution Giants issue. We are very proud of the participation levels that we have been able to achieve over the years with this study. There is no small degree of trust that goes into sharing sensitive financial data, especially when you are talking about privately held companies that are not otherwise compelled to share such information publicly. The fact that Joe Carbonara, our editor in chief, has dealt with these numbers both responsibly and equitably over the past ten years allows us to compile the most complete and thorough treatment of E&S distribution. The result is a valuable resource that provides year over year insight into a shifting competitive landscape, deepened by more than a decade of understanding into both the causes and the effects.

We hope you enjoy this issue and invite you to engage with us through social media to keep the conversation going.