At least two state legislatures are mulling bills threatening dealers’ and consultants’ ability to practice interior design.The Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association opposes the bills, stating that they would prevent FEDA members from bidding or working on state contracts by creating a restrictive occupational licensing law. FEDA and the Foodservice Consultants Society Int’l. have joined more…
Chef Saver, the mascot at Schweppe Inc., is getting a new moniker. The Lombard, Ill., dealer has opened up a naming contest to update the inanimate green bird’s name. “I like the mascot,” said company Pres. Jeff Schweppe. “It’s just the name that needs some freshening.” Unacceptable names include clichés such “Crackers,” anything gender-specific, or…
David J. Sebastianelli is starting work this week in his new post as v.p. of sales and marketing at Edlund Co., the Burlington, Vt., manufacturer of equipment and smallwares. Sebastianelli is an industry veteran with wide-ranging experience in the distribution chain in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Most recently, he was v.p. of sales for…
Citing his extensive knowledge of the markets, channels and customers it serves, Focus Foodservice has hired Timothy S. Palmer as its national sales manager-East. As his title indicates, Palmer will handle the eastern half of the United States and concentrate his efforts on building the Focus brand of smallwares and shelving within the entire distribution…
One of the nation’s biggest broadliners, Gordon Food Service, is investing more than $24 million to consolidate several of its business operations now spread throughout Canada into a new facility in western Michigan. Pending local and state approvals, the 100,000-sq.ft. facility will be located within Gordon’s world headquarters’ campus in Wyoming, Mich. It would create…
The previously announced dates for the Certified Food Service Professional exam in Minneapolis have changed. CenterPoint Energy told us that October 13-14 are new potential dates for the overview and exam. Doug Fryett, CFSP, remains onboard to conduct the overview. CenterPoint is hoping to sign up at least 30 participants by August 30. If you…
Two college-bound students have joined the roster of scholarship recipients honored by the National Association of Food Equipment Dealers. The top, $7,500 scholarship was awarded to Marc Calabro. His father, Anthony, works for BarBoy Products in Farmingdale, N.Y. Runner-up and winner of a $2,500 scholarship is Benjamin J. Hornung; member firm is Ft. Smith Restaurant…
The scorecard yielded a winning round for college students at R.W. Smith & Co.’s tenth annual Scholarship Golf Classic June 14 at Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine, Calif. The event—peopled by a full roster of players and sponsors—enabled the Costa Mesa, Calif., dealership to award scholarships in the culinary arts and design fields to…
One of the reasons I’ve always liked Rick Ellingson, my longtime friend, principal at Bargreen Ellingson, and a FEDA past-president, is that he’s never been afraid to tell you what he thinks. If you don’t believe me, ask him "Who’s the customer?" sometime. And one of the things he thinks about, cogently, are channel issues…