DC Header
November 2013
Giving Thanks
By Jim Petersen, FCSI, Chair

For most of our Division's Members, regardless of individual traditions or beliefs, the end of each calendar year is a time to reflect on not only the past year but our personal situations in general. For me, 2013 has included some business challenges and close family loss. However, through opportunities to see first-hand and work with those in need domestically and internationally, I have been able to gain some perspective telling me that, in spite of immediate difficulties I might experience from time to time, overall I've got it pretty good. One thing that has been a gift to me is the opportunity to serve as your Chair and to work with our Division's Board of Trustees, the Worldwide Board of Directors, and most importantly individual Members of FCSI.

 

In that spirit I want to thank Regional representatives Tim Agosti and Larry Huber, and Allied representative Rod Collins, who will be leaving the Board as of January. Also, a very special thank you to Past Chair Ed Norman, who served as Division Chair and then Worldwide President during the planning and execution of the reorganization of FCSI. With the conclusion of his term, Ed begins a well-deserved break from his day-to-day leadership responsibilities and returns to simply being a very involved Member. 

 

In my upcoming role as Past Chair I look forward to continuing to work with Bill Taunton, who will assume the position of Division Chair, James Camacho, who becomes Chair-elect, and continuing Board Members Bill Caruso, Ian Jameson, Barb Pyper, Tracy Taraski, and Treasurer Harry Schildkraut.

 

Finally, I'd ask that you help me welcome new Board Trustees Dick Eisenbarth, Christine Guyott, Eric Norman, and Allied representative Eric von Kaenel. Thank you to all the members who exercised their right to vote earlier this month for the open seats on the Board of Trustees. Over 50% of the membership returned a ballot! 

 

Here are the results of the FCSI - The Americas Board of Trustees Elections: 

 

Western Region - Barb Pyper FCSI, An Apple a Day, LLC (re-elected) 

Central Region - Tracy Taraski FCSI, The Bigelow Companies, Inc. (re-elected)

Eastern Region - Dick Eisenbarth FCSI, Cini-Little International, Inc. 

 

At-Large - Christine Guyott FCSI, RD, Robert Rippe & Associates

At-Large - Eric Norman FCSI, MVP Services

 

Allied Member - Eric Von Kaenel, Unified Brands

 

It has been my privilege to know all of these ladies and gentlemen either as career-long acquaintances or through their activism as FCSI Members during my tenure, and I am pleased to let you know that your new Board is solid, involved, and dedicated to FCSI, The Americas Division, and the individual Members. I encourage you all to keep informed and get involved, and consider opportunities to take leadership roles, whether on the Board, with committees, or in your Regions - I found the experience to be very rewarding, and I think you will, too.

 

Please accept my heartfelt appreciation for your support, best wishes for a Merry Christmas or other traditions you may observe, and a happy and prosperous New Year.

 

With thanks,

 

Jim

In This Issue
Welcome to our New Members!

Senior Associate 

Andrew Keaggy

Dave Keaggy and Associates

 

Corporate Members

Altro Canada

Nemco

Do you know what it takes to become a FCSI Professional Member? 
Are you familiar with the process of becoming a professional member? Check out these commonly asked questions and answers.
FCSI New England Chapter Holiday Social - December 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Register now for the FCSI New England Chapter Holiday Social on Thursday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Emily A. Swartz Scholarship Fund and the Greater Boston Food Bank. The social is being held at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse in Boston. Click here for more information. Reserve your spot by December 5.

The NAFEM Showplace is a FREE, online, 24/7 marketplace designed to extend the energy and communication generated by each face-to-face NAFEM trade show. It takes the right decisions on equipment, supplies and efficiency to create and run a successful facility. The NAFEM Showplace is a community of manufacturers and experts combined with technology tools and smart systems to research equipment and plan projects. NAFEM invites you to join this community as you face the daily challenges of facility creation and management.

Project Showcase Available Online

FCSI's Project Showcase is now available electronically. Click here to download this publication that highlights just a few of the thousands of exciting and innovative projects done by FCSI Consultants annually.

Phoenix Conference Registration Now Open!

Make plans to join us in Phoenix April 10-12, 2014. The conference planning committee has worked tirelessly in planning some great education and a lot of fun evening events. Phoenix is shaping up to be like no other FCSI conference in recent history. You REALLY don't want to miss this! Conference Details

2014 Solutions 3 Conference

 

Register Today

Friday, January 10, 2014

South Seattle Community College

6000 16th Ave. SW

Seattle, WA 98106

2014 FCSI TA Sponsorship Opportunities

Click on any of the links below for more information on upcoming sponsorship opportunities. 

 

DirectConnection Rates

 

FCSI-TA Conference Sponsorship Opportunities - Phoenix, AZ, April 10-12

 

Matching Grant for First Time FCSI TA Conference AttendeesHelp Contribute to the First Time Attendee Phoenix Conference Grants

Member Spotlight

Mike Wrase

Robert Rippe & Associates, Inc.

 

What path did you follow to get where you are today?

My path into this industry was more of a stumble, not realizing my first summer job at the local Pizza Hut would be the beginning of my foodservice career. While attending drafting school, I found myself back at the Hut opening the store before school in the mornings - making dough and sauces to be ready for the day and evening rushes. By the end of college, I was working for a residential developer doing drawings for homes and townhouses. I also worked at a millwork shop doing shop drawings for store fixtures before coming to Robert Rippe & Associates, where I have been for almost 20 years.

 

What do you enjoy most about this industry?

I like the variety of project types & being able to be a part of it from early design to a functioning space. Working with multiple clients, architects, engineers and contractors makes for a healthy variety of challenges on a daily basis.

 

What do you do when you are not working?

I enjoy spending time with friends and family being outdoors downhill skiing, fishing and boating. My wife and daughter and I often head north for summer weekends at our family lake cabin. I also enjoy riding an ATV in the Black Hills and other destinations around the Midwest.  

 

Mike Wrase is a member of the ICON Committee, a committee that promotes the participation of new and emerging members of FCSI TA.
Remembering FCSI Member 
Lino Agosti
FCSI Emeritus Member Lino Agosti FCSI, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away November 10, 2013 at the age of 93. Born January 6, 1920 in Aquafredda, Italy, he immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1921. The FCSI sends its condolences to his family and friends.  Click here for the full obituary
NRA Seeks Kitchen Innovations Award Nominees

The National Restaurant Association is accepting applications for the prestigious Kitchen Innovations™ Awards for 2014. The awards program recognizes and celebrates cutting-edge equipment and technology that specifically improve the back of the house and benefit foodservice operators. All entries are judged by an independent panel. 

 

The most progressive submissions will be featured in the popular Kitchen Innovations Pavilion at NRA Show 2014, to be held May 17-20 at Chicago's McCormick Place. Click here for details.

FCSI Educational Foundation 
Lends Support to Foodservice Education

With renewed direction and purpose, the FCSI Educational Foundation is committed to funding educational programming that promotes life-long learning, professionalism and ethical behavior for the foodservice consulting profession.  Your tax-deductible donation to the foundation helps fund programs such as sponsoring student attendance at FCSI events, scholarships, internships and more.  Click here for a brochure with more information on the FCSI Educational Foundation mission and goals.  In addition, check out this recent article in Foodservice Consultant Magazine.

Call for Programs
Share your passion and expertise in foodservice consulting by presenting at the National Association of College and University Food Services national conference.  The deadline to submit a program proposal is December 13.  Sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes.  Programs are selected based on their ability to demonstrate the greatest potential for contributing to the quality of the conference and that represent the variety of roles within collegiate foodservice.  Click here to submit a proposal.
Quick Links
  



The ICON Committee 
(Inspiring Consultants through Opportunity and Networking) has a group on LinkedIn.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

Rock My Restaurant


Rock My Restaurant is hosted by our own members Bill Bender and Eric Norman.

 

If you are interested in sponsoring the show, please contact Jeff Kingman, Director of Business Development for the Foodable Network.

Across the Bar: Timeless Cocktails with a Special Spin


Foodable WebTV Network's original series, Across The Bar, visits Chicago's, The Drawing Room. Lead Mixologist, Sergio Serna, mixes up some classic cocktails, like the timeless Manhattan and The Red Bush, a cocktail recipe dating back to the 1800s. Join host Paul Barron as they discuss cocktail trends and even create the first Across the Bar original cocktail, the ATB! Watch now

IHMRS Wrap-up
With the help of several of its members, FCSI The Americas participated in the International Hotel Motel + Restaurant Show earlier this month in New York City. A special thank you to the members who generously gave their time for 'Ask the Experts' at the FCSI Booth: John Turenne FCSI, Mike Berard FCSI, Brad Belletto, James Davella, Jay Treadwell FCSI, Dick Eisenbarth FCSI, and Christine Gurtler. 

A special thanks to Mike Posternak and Posternak Bauer Associates, Inc. for hosting a party celebrating industry consultants on Sunday evening, November 10 at the Cafe Carlyle. FCSI consultants enjoyed a wonderful dinner and lively jazz music. 
Special Thanks to our Direct Connection Sponsors:
    
Hatco         

FCSI The Americas Headquarters | www.fcsi.org | 5004 Francesco Lane
Bloomington, IL 61705