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FER Industry Excellence Awards

The Industry Excellence Awards, presented annually by Foodservice Equipment Reports, comprises the Management Excellence, Young Lion and Industry Service Awards.

The 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 and service agencies.

Young Lion Awards recognize individuals under the age of 40 who have made a meaningful impact on the industry.

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

Note: In accordance with the news that organizers have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 National Restaurant Association Show, FER will no longer be holding this year's Industry Excellence Awards mixer. The event was planned for the evening of May 17, immediately following the day's activities on the show floor.

INDUSTRY SERVICE

Generous, motivated and passionate, this year's five winners have consistently given back to the industry, through their day jobs and their active participation in associations. They aim to move the industry forward and to set the next generation up for success. Take a look at what drives them to go above and beyond.

FER sends a special thank you to CFESA, FEDA and MAFSI for selecting the Industry Service Awards affiliated with their segment, along with the FER Selection Advisory Board members for choosing the operator winner. And for the Industry Service consultant winner, FER thanks the Foodservice Design BootCamp faculty: Russ Benson, DayOne Hospitality Consulting; Connie Dickson, Rippe Associates; Laura Lentz, Culinary Advisors; Karen Malody, Culinary Options; Tarah Schroeder, Ricca Design Studios; and Kip Serfozo, Cini-Little.

YOUNG LIONS

These six Young Lions consistently demonstrate ambition and ingenuity, and excel at building relationships and problem solving. They have already made a meaningful impact on the industry, and we can’t wait to see what they do next.

FER sends a special thank you to CFESA, FEDA and MAFSI for selecting the Young Lions affiliated with their segment, along with the FER Selection Advisory Board members for choosing the operator winners. And for the Young Lion consultant winner, FER thanks the Foodservice Design BootCamp faculty: Russ Benson, Day One Hospitality and Consulting; Connie Dickson, Rippe Associates; Laura Lentz, Culinary Advisors; Karen Malody, Culinary Options; Tarah Schroeder, Ricca Design Studios; and Kip Serfozo, Cini-Little.

MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE

Teamwork, both internally and with suppliers, and investing in employees in tangible ways has helped the following companies flourish. See what makes this year's winners— selected by our advisory panel of industry experts— the gold standard when it comes to integrity, partnership and company culture.

SELECTION ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Foodservice Equipment Reports convened the following professionals from the manufacturing community to chose this year’s Management Excellence Award honorees:

CHAINS

James Pool, TurboChef/Middleby; Lou Anich, Hatco Corp.; Kris Gyori, Cal-Mil; Dave Hinton, APW/Bakers Pride/Star Holdings/Middleby; Jason Prondzinski, Boelter Cos.; Gerry Kenlon, Metro/Ali Group; Scott Meyer, Ice-O-Matic/Ali Group; Rick Caron, Welbilt; Kevin Clark, ACP/Ali Group; Tom Krisch, Antunes; Larry Deutsch, Vollrath Co.; Bud Ward, ITW FEG; Brad Wasserstrom, Wasserstrom; Jason Moles, Henny Penny.

DEALERS

Dennis Park, Vollrath Co.; Mark Pumphret, Hatco Corp.; Penny Hutner, Advance Tabco; Greg Fischer, Cambro Mfg.; Rich Packer, American Metalcraft; Chase McAllister, Eagle Group; Beth Hammer, Unified Brands; Jeff Duncan, American Panel; Michelle Wibel, Nemco Food Equipment; Kevin Woods, Globe Food Equipment/Middleby; Peter Nordell, Edlund Co./Ali Group; Deb Hanson, Vulcan/ITW FEG; Chris Karssiens, Crown/Middleby.

NONCOMMERCIAL OPERATOR & FOODSERVICE CONSULTANCY

Rod Collins, Rod Collins Assoc.; Joe Carlson & Nancy Lane, Sandstone Group; Tom Szafranski, Heritage Foodservice Group; Steve Gill, Master-Bilt/Standex; John Frishman, J. Frishman Assoc.; Stephanie Gilbert, Food Service Holdings; Jack Scott, Alto-Shaam; Nancy Fera, Metro/Ali Group; Danielle McMiller, Structural Concepts; Bob McNamara, Power Soak/Unified Brands; Teri Brewer, Thermo-Kool; Chris Trout, Wood Stone.

SERVICE AGENCIES

David Neidlinger & Frank Gorman, Welbilt; Mike Orlando, T&S Brass & Bronze; Eddie Garmon, Pentair; James Broeker, Vulcan/ITW FEG; Rob Taylor, Southbend/ Middleby; Mike Jones, Alto-Shaam; Patrick Walker, Electrolux; Tom Van Der Bosch, Scotsman/Ali Group.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

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