In Memoriam: Mike Carpenter, Former NAFEM President

Mike Carpenter, a name and face recognized by hundreds in the E&S business, passed away suddenly April 23 in Utah. He was 58.

Carpenter had been chief marketing officer for Cooper-Atkins Corp. for the past two years. His long resume in the E&S industry spans posts at foodservice manufacturers including Anchor-Hocking, Focus Brands, Hobart Corp. and Vollrath Co. He was president of the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers from 2002 to ’03, and throughout his long career, he maintained a steady presence with the group, including service on the NAFEM board, executive and finance committees. He was on the Trade Show Advisory Council, serving as vice chair of The NAFEM Show in Las Vegas in 1995, and as show chair two years later in New Orleans. Carpenter began his NAFEM board tenure in ’93, and sat on the Smallwares Committee, and just about every ad hoc committee within the organization. In addition to holding a seat on the Member Screening Committee, he oversaw the creation of the Customer Advisory Task Force in ’02.

Services were private. A contribution will be made by NAFEM to the Make-A-Wish Foundation; donations are welcome. Cards and notes for the family can be sent to NAFEM headquarters at 161 N. Clark St., Ste. 2020, Chicago, Ill., 60601.