FEDA Names 2026 Gold Awards Winners, Board of Directors

FEDA recognized achievements of its distributor and manufacturer members during its Gold Awards Breakfast in September. It also announced its 2026-2027 board of directors. The event took place during the 2026 FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference in Park City, Utah.

The Gold Awards recipients include the following:

Spirit of Giving
Oswalt Restaurant Supply

Extraordinary Service
Gator Chef
RATIONAL USA

Model Workplace
Culinary Depot
Hatco Corp.

Champion for Young Professionals
Rapids Wholesale Foodservice Equipment
Perlick

Ascending Young Industry Leader
Matthew Yaz, Chef’s Deal Restaurant Equipment Co.
Mackenzie Petersen, Avanti Restaurant Solutions
Amber Daniels, Spaceman USA
Lydia Anderson, KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc.
Stephen Nutt, Avanti Restaurant Solutions
Kinslee Zielinski, USA Restaurant Suppliers

Accomplished Young Industry Leader
Chris Fisher, NEMCO
Devon Zielinski, USA Restaurant Suppliers
Joe Fussenegger, C&T Design and Equipment Co., Inc.
Josh Harrison, KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc.
Nick Schmitt, Rapids Wholesale Foodservice Equipment
Kevin Klocko, Perlick Corp.

In addition to the Gold Awards, FEDA recognized Victor Products Co. for 25 years of membership in the association.

Board of Directors Named

As for the board, Jamie Arguello, principal and CEO of Grady’s Foodservice Equipment and Supplies, was named the FEDA chair, while Marc Tell moved to the past chair role. Jameel Burkett, president and CEO of Burkett Restaurant Equipment, is now the vice chair, and Eric Chaplick, vice president of operations and design for Boelter Cos., remains the board secretary.

The board directors for 2026-2027 are:

• Dustin Bennett, president, The Kitchen Guys
• Tommaso Cardana, president, Tomson Hospitality
• Stan Dabic, CEO, Russell Hendrix Foodservice Equipment
• Colin Darcy, vice president, C&T Design & Equipment Co.
• Lance Douglas, president, Douglas Equipment
• J. Lewis IV, CEO, Mission Restaurant Supply
• Anthony Salemi, vice president of strategic sales, Ace Mart Restaurant Supply
• David Stafford, president and CEO, Stafford-Smith
• Leigh Thompson, CFO, Mobile Fixture & Equipment Co.

For post-event coverage of select conferences and trade shows, visit FER’s event web page HERE.