New CEO, Award Winners Unveiled By SEFA

SEFA’s week-long membership conference in April at Hilton Head, S.C., held a lot of news, from awards to the announcement of its new chief executive.

The South Barrington,, Ill., buying group appointed Kelly Cain as its new CEO. Cain, who joined SEFA last September as CFO, assumes the dual roles of CEO and CFO. She served as CFO at Matrix Systems Holding, and has more than 20 years of financial experience, as well as experience in strategic planning and execution, human resources, project management, budgeting, and staff development.

Thirty-two winners were honored at the conference’s 31^st annual awards banquet. The highest honor for a SEFA dealer, the Member of the Year award, was earned by Instawares, based in Kennesaw, Ga.

Supplier of the Year was given—for a sixth time—to True Food Service Equipment.

Tania Nelson and Nick DiTrolio of Cambro were chosen by SEFAPros as Trainer of the Year.

Three additional individual awards were given out at this year’s awards banquet. Marty Patterson, The Vollrath Co., accepted the Corporate Cowboy award in recognition of his support and dedication to the SEFA Member community. Mark Ecker of Hatco and Barb Belongia of Nor-Lake were honored as Industry Leaders for their leadership, excellence and lasting contributions to the foodservice industry.

Other award winners were:

• Breakthrough: Acme Paper & Supply, ADE Restaurant Services
• Circle of Excellence: Bintz Restaurant Supply, Budget Restaurant Supply, Economy Restaurant Equipment & Supply, Myers Foodservice Equipment, Supply & Design
• Great Start: Cook’s Direct
• High Achiever: Ashland Equipment, B&G Restaurant Supply, State Restaurant Equipment, Thompson & Little, W. West Equipment & Services
• Journey: Globe Equipment
• Movers & Shakers: Action Sales
• Pacesetter: Smith & Greene
• Touchpoint: Restaurant Depot and Jetro Cash & Carry
• Innovation: Great Lakes Hotel Supply
• The Insider: Culinary Deport
• Market Leader: T&S Brass (marketing & training); Winco (dealer support)
• Outstanding Supplier: Convotherm by Cleveland (cooking equipment); John Boos & Co. (fabrication); Continental Refrigerator (heavy equipment); ColdZone (refrigeration); Lakeside Mfg. (specialty products); Carlisle FoodService (supplies).

Also in other SEFA news, Jill Kirby, Marketing Manager-Serv-U, Champaign, Ill., has earned SEFAPro Level 7 status. Kirby, a 17-year industry veteran, is one of 12 SEFAPros to have earned the top status.