Seventeen Earn FER’s Industry Excellence Awards

Seventeen recipients have been announced in Foodservice Equipment Reports’ biennial 2017 Industry Excellence Awards. Honorees included six organizations for Management Excellence; six to individuals near or under the age of 40 selected as Young Lions; and five Industry Service Award winners.

Management Excellence Awards recognize excellence in the management of unit and facilities development, design, equipment and supplies purchasing and maintenance functions in commercial and noncommercial foodservice operations; in the delivery and performance of equipment and supplies functions and services by E&S dealers and distributors; and in the delivery of services by foodservice consulting firms.

Industry Service Awards recognize individuals who have made significant, career-long contributions to the equipment and supplies industry, not only in terms of their own organizations and function, but across E&S industry channels and functions.

Young Lion Awards recognize younger, rising stars who already have had a meaningful impact on the industry.

The 2017 award recipients are:

Management Excellence Awards

• Chain & Commercial Operator (more than 250 units): Arby’s, Atlanta. Frank Inoa, Director-Engineering, and Peter Cryan, Director-Equipment R&D and New Technology, and team.

• Chain & Commercial Operator (fewer than 250 units): Blaze Pizza, Pasadena, Calif. Jim Mizes-CEO, and Tiffany Vassos, V.P.-Construction & Design, and team

• Noncommercial Operator: University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. Jill Irvin, Director-Dining.

• Dealer (more than $40 million in sales): The Clark Associates Cos., Lancaster, Pa. Fred Clark, President.

• Dealer (less than $40 million in sales): Birmingham Restaurant Supply (BRESCO), Birmingham, Ala. George Tobia, President.

• Consulting Firm: Next Step Design, Annapolis, Md. Russel Stilwell, FCSI, Principal.

Industry Service Awards

• Dealer: Brad Wasserstrom, President-The Wasserstrom Company, Columbus, Ohio.

• Manufacturers’ Rep: Joe Ferri Sr., President-Pecinka Ferri, Fairfield, N.J.

• Consultant: Christine Guyott, FCSI, RD, Principal-Rippe Associates, Minneapolis.

• Service Agent: Paul Toukatly, Service Manager-Duffy’s Equipment Service, Liverpool, N.Y.

• Operator: David Harpring, Director of Global Engineering-Yum! Brands, Louisville, Ky.
  

Young Lion Awards

• Dealer: Drew O’Quinn, V.P.-Thompson & Little, Fayetteville, N.C.

• Manufacturers’ Rep: James Mathis, CFO & MAFSI National Director-Equipment Preference Inc., Southlake, Texas.

• Consultant: Brett Daniel, FCSI, BIM Manager & Project Manager-Camacho Associates, Atlanta.

• Service Agent: Cassidy Martin, Manufacturer Program Coordinator-General Parts LLC, Westminster, Colo.

• Commercial Operator: Scott Warrington, Director of Engineering-Panera Bread, St. Louis.

• Noncommercial Operator: Dr. Lauren Jones, Director of Foodservices-Nassau County School District, Fernandina Beach, Fla.

While sponsored by FER, these are juried awards. Management Excellence Award candidates are nominated and selected by several Awards Selection Advisory Boards made up primarily of leading E&S manufacturers. For the Young Lion and Industry Service Awards, FER solicits candidates from industry association boards. The FER editorial staff, with input from industry peers, selects the commercial and noncommercial operator award recipients.

All 17 awards recipients will be honored at FER‘s Industry Awards Gala, February 10, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency, Orlando, Fla., during The NAFEM Show.