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
Skype: bigs53
Lee Roberts, FCSI
Manager of Design Services
Project Manager
Lee brings a solid background of computer design, drafting and equipment specification to his projects. An integral part of The Bigelow Companies team, his skills increase the company’s ability to meet the growing design needs of our clients' design projects.
Design Services:
Mr. Roberts designs foodservice equipment floor and site plans, prepares utility requirement plans, and develops equipment specifications utilizing the latest AutoCad and Revit software.
Professional and Civic Associations:
• Foodservice Consultants Society International
Previous Experience:
Environetics, Inc.
2015-2018
Project Manager
Baring Industries, Inc.
2013- 2015
Project Manager
Bigelow Companies, Inc.
2011- 2013
Project Coordinator
BRR Architecture, Inc.
1999 – 2009
Project Manager
TK Architects
1997 – 1999
Job Captain
Neville, Sharp & Simon
1996 – 1997
CADD Technician
Temtech
(Hallmark Cards, Inc.)
1994 – 1996
CADD Technician
Contact:
Email: leeroberts@bigelowcompanies.com
Jason Simpson
CAD/REVIT Design Coordinator
Jason is a registered architect with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Kansas. Jason has worked in the sports architecture industry for over 20 years and has extensive knowledge with AutoCad and Revit.
As Design Coordinator for The Bigelow Companies, Mr. Simpson assists the Project Manager with Cad/Revit drafting, requests for information (RFI’s), and review of submittals and site visits
Professional and Civic Associations:
• Registered Architect – State of Kansas
• NCARB – National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
Previous Experience:
HNTB Architecture
2003-2012
Project Architect
Ellerbe Becket (currently AECOM)
1998, 1999-2003
Intern Architect
Architectural Student Intern
Warner Nease Bost Architects, Inc.
1998-1999
Intern Architect
Education:
University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS)
Bachelor of Architecture
Contact:
Email: jasonsimpson@bigelowcompanies.com
Jennifer Irey
Interior Designer
Interior Designer for The Bigelow Companies, Jennifer brings over 20 years of design experience in a variety of industries including sports and entertainment, hospitality, retail and tenant improvement. Jennifer’s experience serving multiple roles throughout the various project phases and her ability to effectively communicate ideas and concepts to different audiences at all stages of a project makes her an invaluable asset to any project and has contributed to success for her clients.
Previous Experience:
HIVEdesign
Lead Designer / Project Manager
TD Architects
Lead Designer / Project Manager
Education:
Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS)
Bachelor of Interior Architecture
NCIDQ Certificate #020369
Contact:
Email: jenniferirey@bigelowcompanies.com
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
Skype: lroark