Chris Bigelow
FCSI, CFSP
President
1988 - Present
Chris has served the foodservice industry since 1974, with a focus on the public assembly market. He has authored numerous articles for industry publications and lectured on the subject of Sports, Recreation and Convention Foodservice throughout North America, Australia and Europe. His significant industry expertise and personal on-the-job experience combine to provide a unique perspective of his clients’ very specialized needs.
Design Services:
Mr. Bigelow develops programming, spatial and design criteria for project architects and equipment designers. Menu development, service line analysis, schematic design, design development, construction documents and construction assistance are all services provided by The Bigelow Companies. Additionally, Mr. Bigelow acts as the owner’s representative for peer review of design and initial programming development when others provide the foodservice design.
Management Advisory Services:
Mr. Bigelow provides operational and financial analysis for determining foodservice and merchandise operator alternatives, in-house, contracted, multiple contractors, with or without investments, and combinations of the above alternatives. He also develops contracting options available to a client. Development of a Request for Proposal, contractor recruitment, evaluations and contract negotiations are all services of The Bigelow Companies. Mr. Bigelow also provides foodservice and merchandise negotiating and mediation services for facility managers.
Awards:
Top 20 Most Influential People in the Sports Facility Design and Management Industry, Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal
National Association of Concessionaires Mickey Warner Award
International Association of Assembly Managers Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Member Award
Public Assembly Facility Management School's; Ray Ward Award
Articles, Presentations and Lectures:
To view a list of Mr. Bigelow’s articles, lectures and presentations.<< click here >>
Teaching Assignments:
• European Academy of Venue Management
Foodservice Management Instructor
• IAAM Public Assembly Facility Management School
Instructor and Past Chair Board of Regents
Professional and Civic Associations:
• European Party Caterer Association Advisory Board
• Foodservice Consultants Society International
Professional Member, Board Member, Treasurer
• National Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers
Certified Foodservice Professional
• IAAM Foundation
Past Chairman
• Stadium Managers Association
• European Stadium Managers Association
• Association of Luxury Suite Directors
Board of Directors
• National Association of Concessionaires
Past Chairman of the Board
• Missouri Restaurant Association
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kansas City
Advisory Board of Directors
• Kansas City, Chamber of Commerce
Centurion Leadership Program
• Better Business Bureau
Certified Consumer Arbitrator
Previous Experience:
Canteen Company. Recreation Division
1985-1988
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Volume Services, Inc.
1976-1985
Sales Manager
Regional Operations Manager
General Manager - Operations
ARA Services, Inc.
1974-1976
General Manager - Operations
Education:
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
BA in Hotel and Restaurant Administration
Michigan State University (Lansing, MI)
Contact:
Email: chrisbigelow@bigelowcompanies.com
Phone: (816) 994-3261
Skype: bigs53
Tracy Taraski, FCSI
Manager of Design Services
Project Manager
Tracy brings a solid background of computer design, drafting and equipment specification to her projects. An integral part of The Bigelow Companies team since 1997, her skills increase the company’s ability to meet the growing design needs of our clients' design projects.
Design Services:
Ms. Taraski designs foodservice equipment floor and site plans, prepares utility requirement plans, and develops equipment specifications utilizing the latest AutoCad and Revit software and hardware.
Professional and Civic Associations:
• Foodservice Consultants Society International
Professional Member
• Kansas City, Chamber of Commerce
Previous Experience:
Libby International
1996-1997
Engineer’s Assistant/Technical Applications
The Salvajor Company
1993-1996
Technical Design Assistant
Education:
Longview Community College (Lees Summit, MO)
Computer Science/Drafting and Design
Penn Valley Community College (Kansas City, MO)
Emergency Medical Technology
Contact:
Email: tracytaraski@bigelowcompanies.com
Phone: (816) 994-3262
Skype: tracytaraski
Gloria Pinkerton
Consultant
Project Manager
A consultant for The Bigelow Companies since 2007, Gloria brings more than 35 years experience in the foodservice industry. She develops and prepares Request for Proposals, including operation requirements, required submittals, and historic financial reports as well as prepares qualitative evaluations of proposals. In addition, she observes and reviews foodservice operations, then provides written reports and recommendations for improving customer service, internal controls, and financial return.
Financial Analysis:
Ms. Pinkerton reviews and analyzes foodservice financial operation reports and commission statements, cash and inventory control procedures and electronic point of sale processes. She also prepares equipment budgets for foodservice spaces based on design drawings.
Previous Experience:
Centerplate
1992-2007
Operation and District Controller
City of Blue Springs, Missouri
1989-1992
Accounting Clerk
Volume Services
1973-1989
Assistant General Manager
Office Manager
Education:
Graceland College (Lamoni, IA)
BA, Elementary Education
Blue River Community College (Independence, MO)
Accounting
Contact:
Email: gloriapinkerton@bigelowcompanies.com
Phone: (816) 994-3264
Kim Fredrich
Drafter
Designer
While her primary role is drafting, Kim’s interior design experience gives her a unique perspective. An integral part of the Bigelow team since 2008, she is responsible for developing schematic design drawings and design development drawings for foodservice projects in the sports, entertainment and convention market.
Design Services:
Utilizing Autokitchen software, Kim creates realistic 3D renderings of foodservice floor plans and, with the latest AutoCAD software and hardware, she designs foodservice equipment floor plans.
Previous Experience:
Quintin Design Resources, Ltd.
2007-2008
Directions in Design, Inc.
2006-2007
Education:
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design
Contact:
Email: kimfredrich@bigelowcompanies.com
Phone:
Laurie Roark
Office Manager / Controller
Director of Marketing Services
Since 1998, Laurie has applied her organizational and management skills to the daily administration of The Bigelow Companies, not only for Mr. Bigelow, but for the entire staff. In addition to her administration functions interfacing with customers on project tracking and invoicing, Laurie provides the company with marketing services, drafting , punch list inspections and project final close out. She also assists Mr. Bigelow in creating Operational Audits and RFPs (Request For Proposal).
Previous Experience:
American Medical Response
1995-1998
Office Manager and Emergency Medical Technician
Responsible for all accounting aspects of the Independence Missouri Division. Employee hiring, training, scheduling, payroll and benefit coordination. Customer service, incident investigations and Citizen Awareness Programs were performed by Ms. Roark. Building Logistics, medical supply inventory control and Emergency Medical Technician Supervisor Status Ambulance.
Northland Advanced Paramedical Medical Services
1994-1995
Dispatcher and Telemessanger
Emergency and Non-Emergency EMT patient transportation.
Liberty Hospital
1993-1996
Emergency Department Admitting Clerk
Greet patients, families and visitors upon their arrival to the Emergency Department. Gather crucial information for patient triage and billing purposes and perform data entry and clerical duties as needed.
Education:
Vatterott College
Independence, Missouri
Computer Drafting and Design
Kansas City Metropolitan Community College—Business and Technology Campus
Lifesaver Training Institute—Liberty, Missouri
Emergency Medical Technician
Powerphone
Emergency Medical Dispatch
Contact:
Email: laurieroark@bigelowcompanies.com
Phone: (816) 994-3263
Skype: lroark