Three industry leaders to be honored at NAMA Show
Three industry influencers — a veteran operations leader, a convenience services operator and a technology service provider — will be recognized with the 2025 Industry Awards from the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) at the NAMA Show in May. The honorees were selected for their leadership, innovation and lasting impact across the field, notes the association.
Mark Stein, the now-retired former president of Mark Vend Co., will be recognized as the NAMA Industry Person of the Year.
This award is given to an industry professional who has consistently exemplified the “highest standards of professional excellence and achieved business success throughout their career in the industry,” according to NAMA.
During his three-decade career at Mark Vend, Stein led his company to excel in vending, micro markets and office coffee services. He also worked with the NAMA board of directors and the Illinois Automatic Merchandising Council in industry advocacy efforts. Those efforts led to him being inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2004.
The Pepi Companies will be honored with the Operator of the Year Award from NAMA. This award recognizes a company that “best exemplifies consistent advancement of the convenience services industry.”
Based in the Southeast, the Pepi Companies earned the honor for its “operational excellence and forward-thinking customer service,” NAMA said in a release. Company leaders David Pemberton, Donnie Pemberton, Shaun Morris and Vic Pemberton advance vending and refreshment services by embracing opportunity, “from integrating SNAP payments into micro markets to advancing healthy food access and touchless tech,” NAMA noted.
With its Allied Member of the Year Award, NAMA recognized VendCentral Inc., which was recently acquired by Cantaloupe Inc. This award is given to a non-operator member company that has “exhibited the highest level of integrity, dedication and leadership to convenience services.” VendCentral was formerly led by Neil Swindale, and he and his team offered operators customer marketing solutions such as website development and social media management. NAMA pointed to Swindale’s work in education and advocacy, as well as his involvement in NAMA events and state councils, in selecting VendCentral Inc. for this award.
What they are saying
“The convenience services industry thrives because of exceptional individuals and companies like this year’s awardees,” said Carla Balakgie, president and CEO of NAMA, in a release. “These honorees are not just winners — they’re thought leaders and changemakers. Their commitment to advancing the convenience services business, and the customer experience, are helping define what’s next for our industry.”
The recipients will be honored at the 2025 NAMA Show, taking place May 7-9 in Las Vegas.
For a sneak peek at the 2025 NAMA Show, listen to Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS podcast episode with guests Kristen Griffith, David Marler and Ryan Harrington.
