Automatic Merchandiser recognizes 2021’s Pros to Know in December issue

Automatic Merchandiser and its online sister outlet, VendingMarketWatch.com, are pleased to announce this year’s recipients of AM’s Pros to Know Awards. AM profiled each of the 2021 honorees in its December issue.

The esteemed awards program from Automatic Merchandiser, the leading print publication covering the convenience services industry, recognizes outstanding individuals whose accomplishments are moving the industry forward. This year marked the eighth time the magazine asked readers to nominate individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond to promote their companies in the vending, micro market and office coffee service industry.

“While many segments of the industry – operators, suppliers, distributors, brokers and manufacturers – struggled in 2021 to regain footing during a make-or-break period of uncertainty, this year’s Pros to Know honorees took charge to deliver services and solutions in a time of need,” said AM and VMW editor Nick Montano.

The following 22 individuals and nine teams have persevered through many difficult months, overcoming supply chain and hiring challenges, all while navigating dramatic changes in the workplace refreshments space.

Pros to Know individuals

Jameel Ahed – President, Blue Sparq Inc.

Mac Bolak – Chief Executive, Panoptyc

Paul Brown – President, Mcliff Coffee + Vending

Alex Buck – Regional Sales Director (West), Cantaloupe Inc.

Lindsay Easter – Operations Specialist, Gimme

Cathy Feeley – Western Regional Sales Manager, CBI & Associates

Brian Gill – National Sales Executive, OptConnect

Evan Jarecki – Cofounder, Gimme

Bob Keenan – Regional Sales Director, G&J Marketing

Laura King – President, Candy Dynamics

Rich Lau – Eastern Regional Micro Market Rep, Avanti/365 Retail Markets

Danelle Layton – Director Of Creative Services, Five Star Food Service

Natasia Malaihollo, Head of Business Development, PopCom

Tammy Peters, Director of Logistics & Unstoppable Freight Strategist, The MoveIt Cos.

Josh Rosenberg – Chief Executive, Threeboysstrong Consulting

Ron Scadina – Senior Vice President of Sales, Steeped Coffee

Brian Shimmerlik – Chief Executive and Cofounder, Vengo Inc.

Vatsana Souvannavong – Chief Executive, Koala Kolache

Ty Stork – Roasting Plant Manager/Roastmaster, PrairieFire Coffee

Alex Vaserman – Vice President of Technology, Nayax NA

Ravi Venkatesan – Chief Technology Officer, Cantaloupe Inc.

Geoff Wilcox – Director of Retail Execution, Five Star Food Service

Pros to Know teams

365 Retail Markets Training Team

Team leader: Linde Hutson, Director of Global Marketing, Communications and Training. Members: Carmen Collie, Training Manager; Matthew Hudas, Customer Training Specialist; Caitlyn Kliest, Technical Writer; Dylan Buckley, Technical Designer; Mikael Pachana, Technical Trainer

40BelowJoe

Team members: Curt Jones, Founder; Tracey Jones, Co-owner

Cantaloupe Customer Success Managers

Team members: Terry Hovis, Greg Young, Jack Thompson, Jake Graham, Jason Pardue, Maxwell Elliott, Terry Rinck

Chemesis International Inc.

Team leader: Josh Rosenberg, President. Members: Terry White, SVP of Operations; Vinnie Pappano, Vice President of Sales and Category Management

Custom Data Solutions

Team leader: Michael Nudi, President and Chief Executive. Members: Rick Ruth, Jim Powers, Alyssa Lesmeister, Sharon Bohning

Everest Ice and Water Systems

Team leader: Ben Gaskill, Director of Sales. Members: Dan Doromal, Director of Operations; Gilbert Ramirez Jr, Marketing Manager; Chris Beech, Service Manager; Jon Black, Operations Manager; Jordan Flores, Account Manager

Federal Machine

Team leader: Kristen Miller, Senior Distribution Support Specialist. Members: Jennifer Cogdill, Lead Distribution Support Specialist; Opal Hobbs, Distribution Support Specialist; Emily Mehlin, Distribution Support Specialist; Margaret Antenucci, Distribution Support Specialist

Fixturelite

Team members: Steve Orlando, Cofounder and President and Troy Geis, Cofounder and Chief Executive

Tahoe Vending

Team leader: Jarrad Duxbury, managing partner. Members: Cesar Aguilar, Micro Market Manager; Anthony Young, OCS Manager; Elliott Richards, Vending Manager; Bambie Sackett, Purchasing Manager; Pierre Sundland, Operations Manager

Automatic Merchandiser, a 50-year-old trade publication, and VendingMarketWatch.com are B2B media brands owned by Endeavor Business Media LLC. Headquartered in Nashville, TN, EBM was formed in late 2017 to acquire and operate trade publications, websites, events and marketing solutions. The company targets U.S. B2B audiences in the accounting, aviation, dental, facilities maintenance and fire and public safety; along with design engineering, buildings and construction, energy, manufacturing, industrial and technology; as well as medical, securities, laser, lighting, oil and gas, public services, security, construction, vehicle repair, vending, and water and wastewater markets. For more information, visit endeavorbusinessmedia.com.