How Technology Is Driving Micro Markets and Vending

Jim Coia
Vice President of Business Development
VE Solutions

Jim Coia has over 20 years of experience in crafting and leading successful revenue strategies, including a decade spent in leadership positions at VE Solutions. As Vice President of Business Development, he focuses on creating, expanding, and managing strategic business relationships. With a strong track record of establishing partnerships and inspiring teams, Jim consistently drives results that position VE for success.

He is dedicated to VE's mission of meeting the evolving needs of customers in the vending and unattended retail sectors. Under his leadership, Jim’s team has been instrumental in developing innovative technologies such as micro markets, touch screens for vending, and smart coolers.

For more than 65 years, VE has been a leader in the vending and unattended retail industry, committed to innovation. The company invests in over 100 products in research and development each year, ensuring that it delivers cutting-edge solutions to its customers.

Shane Swanson
Coley Canteen
Sales and Customer Service Manager

Shane Swanson, Sales and Customer Service Manager at Coley Canteen, has more than 10 years of industry experience. Upon graduating from Ferris State University in 2012 with a bachelor’s in business management, Shane went to work for his father, Mitch Swanson, and business partner, Randy Coley, at Coley Canteen Food Services. Shane can best be described as a motivated team-oriented individual who loves to think outside the box and develop new ideas and creative solutions. His interests include technological advancement, business acquisitions, account management and micro market analysis. Shane values creating and maintaining long lasting relationships with his accounts and industry peers. Working for a family business has provided Shane with the opportunity to wear many hats, allowing him to focus and best serve his fellow employees and customers.

Dave Rich, GM, Acme Music & Vending

Dave Rich has over 40 years in the vending industry, beginning as a route driver with Canteen Corporation, where he advanced to management during a 20+ year tenure. After a brief stint as a stock broker, Dave joined Acme Music & Vending in 2008 as General Manager. Outside work, he’s an avid golfer and dedicated Chiefs and Royals fan, as well as a proud father of five and grandfather of nine.

Mark Kronenberg 
Founder - ProWatch Solutions
  
Mark Kronenberg has convenience services in his DNA. He launched a vending software company in the 1980s and is now at the helm of ProWatch Solutions, which has taken off following strong operator interest at recent trade shows. In the early 80s, he developed software for his own vending and industrial catering operation. Using that technology, he and his father started CompuVend Systems and owned that for 32 years before selling it to Cantaloupe.

Kronenberg was acting as an industry consultant when he began to recognize that operators were struggling with micro market theft: It was challenging and time-consuming for them if they even had the time to deal with theft.

Kronenberg began developing ARMS - Automated Retail Management System, a technology-based solution for micro market theft, about three years ago. It uses surveillance video and applies AI and other analytics to identify theft and other lost sales opportunities. ARMS uses technology and artificial intelligence to identify issues and events that will help the market operator.

Bryan Hebert 
Chief Revenue Officer – ProWatch Solutions
 
ProWatch Solution’s chief revenue officer, Bryan Hebert, has years of experience with key positions at USA Technologies and Nayax. Hebert was excited when he learned about Mark Kronenberg’s vision at ProWatch and feels his involvement has been a good fit. “We are signing a lot of customers since NAMA and most recently SEVA. NAMA was an exciting start for us. We had a flooded booth within minutes after the gates opened at NAMA and it really didn't stop. Operators were intrigued.” 

“Micro market theft, as you well know, is top of mind for operators right now. Based on our success, it is clear that we have a solution that is attractive to operators for many reasons, including performance, cost and our elevated level of service. Operators now have a choice when it comes to AI-driven micro market security solutions,” Hebert explained. “They tell us they like the idea of working with a company that is comprised of former operators and industry people. We are technology-oriented as well, but we have a level of empathy for what operators are dealing with that only comes from having years of front-line industry experience.” 

Hebert is excited to share how his industry knowledge can be a major benefit to operators who seek to maximize profits and mitigate theft by using ARMS - Automated Retail Management System.

Evan Jarecki  
Co-Founder & CEO - Gimme 
 
Evan is a tech entrepreneur based in Atlanta, Ga., and the Co-Founder and CEO of Gimme, launched in 2014 after he earned an electrical engineering degree from Georgia Tech. At Gimme, he develops innovative software and hardware solutions for the unattended retail and traditional retail sectors. Gimme's flagship product, Gimme VMS, enhances operational efficiency for vending, micro market, and office coffee service operators. They also offer the Gimme Key Pro, a wireless DEX device that streamlines data transfer and invoice processing.

Evan was named one of Automatic Merchandiser's Pros to Know in 2017 & 2019 and 40 Under 40 in 2021 & 2024. 

He has spoken for multiple years at industry events such as the NAMA Show and SEVA, and he has joined at NAMA Fly-In as an industry advocate. He participates in numerous webinars and podcasts hosted by VendingMarketWatch, positioning Gimme as a leader in technological advancements.

Mark Ward, Owner, Shamrock Vending

Mark Ward, Co-Owner of Shamrock Vending and President of the Georgia Automatic Merchandising Council, brings over 28 years of experience in the convenience services industry. Leading Shamrock Vending since 2006 and formerly a Business Development Manager at Coca-Cola Enterprises, Mark is dedicated to advancing the vending and micromarket sectors in Georgia.

Moderator: Bob Tullio 
Contributing Editor, Automatic Merchandiser/VendingMarketWatch.com 
Tullio B2B
 
Bob Tullio is a content specialist, speaker, sales trainer, consultant and contributing editor to Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com. He advises entrepreneurs on how to build a successful business from the ground up and specializes in helping suppliers connect with operators in the convenience services industry — coffee service, vending, micro markets and pantry service specifically. Subscribe to Automatic Merchandiser's podcast, Vending & OCS Nation, which is hosted by Tullio and designed to make your business more profitable. 
 
For more information on the services that Tullio offers to operators and suppliers, visit www.tulliob2b.com or contact him at [email protected].

Linda Becker 
Editor-in-Chief, Automatic Merchandiser/VendingMarketWatch.com 

Linda Becker is editor-in-chief of Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com. She has more than 30 years of experience in B2B publishing, writing, editing and producing content for magazines, websites, webinars, podcasts, newsletters and eBooks, primarily for manufacturing and process engineering audiences. She has developed and hosted conference programming for several tradeshows and conferences. Since joining Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com, she has developed a new appreciation for the convenience services industry and the essential role it plays.