In Memoriam: Consultant Jim Webb

Jim Webb, the founder of Webb Design, died Oct. 24 from cancer. He was 58.

Webb started the Tustin, Calif., firm in 1989 and became known as a top designer across the foodservice spectrum. His projects included schools, colleges, healthcare, B&I, hotels, resorts and restaurants. Managing Principal Gina Brinegar, who will take over management of the firm, called Webb a man of vision.

“Jim Webb was a remarkable man and an extraordinary leader, who guided our firm’s impressive success for more than two decades,” Brinegar said. “He leaves an indelible legacy and will be missed by the entire Webb Design family.”

Webb’s projects often promoted the economic benefits of environmental design; the firm is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, and many of its staff has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation.

“Jim was a very talented designer with an instinctive and in-depth knowledge of foodservice. And he was a great businessman,” FER Publisher Robin Ashton said. “We’ll miss his contributions and his friendship greatly.”

He was active in various nonprofits, including the Ronald McDonald House of Orange County and the National Association of College & University Food Services.

In October, Webb Design was announced as the winner of FER’s first-ever Management Excellence Award for a consulting firm. The award will be presented in February at The NAFEM Show.

The firm will maintain its partnership with DM&A in DM&A/Webb, which it formed in March 2011 to collaborate on design projects for the healthcare and education markets.