From healthcare foodservice to B&I/contract management, school nutrition to campus dining and military foodservice, the onsite segments have traditionally presented some of the biggest challenges in the industry. Each year, IFMA recognizes the best-of-class providers in these and other segments and honors them in May at its gala Silver Plate Awards banquet. This month, in our special editorial section, you'll meet:

Steve Sweeney, president/CEO of Chartwells, who helped build that brand into one of the education segment's leading professional foodservice management companies;

Lora Gilbert, who as senior director for food & nutrition services at Orange County (FL) Public Schools, led a remarkable turnaround for a nutrition program mired in difficulties before she arrived;

Bruce Thomas, assistant vice president of guest services at Geisinger Health System, who has mastered the art of using technology to drive efficiency and customer service;

Diane Hardy, assistant vice president for campus services at the Univeristy of Richmond, who built her career by meeting the evolving needs of her campus customers in both retail and board dining;

George Miller, chief of food & beverage operations for the U.S. Air Force, who led a complete re-invention of the Air Force foodservice program, bringing it up to modern customer expectations.