Automatic Merchandiser serves the business management, marketing, technology and product information needs of its readers including vending operators, coffee service operators, product brokers, and product and equipment distributors in print.
Issue link: http://automaticmerchandiser.epubxp.com/i/616338
Ryan McWhirter, Director of Product, 365 Retail Markets McWhirter, a graduate from Michigan State University with a degree in Telecommuni- cations, has a decade of experience in the interactive self-service technology feld. At 365 Retail Markets, McWhirter fnds his best ideas in the feld with the customers, brainstorming solutions to any issues and proceeding on to build a prototype. This year McWhirter was an integral part of expanding the 365 software, releasing two service packs full of new features including security improvements, inventory controls and promotional tools. Josh Rosenberg, President, Accent Food Service In January 2015 Rosenberg was named president and CEO of Austin, TX-based Accent Food Services. Rosenberg cred- its much of his success in the industry to the diverse background experience he gained from the operator community as well as his many early years working for the Coca-Cola Co. This year he has success- fully implemented fresh food, lean processes and sales disciplines supported by focused, dedicated channel sup- port in his more than 250 micro market locations which earn an average of $40,000 minimum sales. Rosenberg believes in advocacy to move the industry forward and sits on NAMA's board of director and is a USConnect advisory board member. Chris Allahyar, Director of Vending Sales, AdvancePierre Foods, Inc. Allahyar has been involved in the vending industry for nearly four decades, over half of that spent as an operator. In his current role as director of vending sales, Allahyar manages AdvancePierre's vending sales on a national level through G & J sales and national accounts. Alla- hyar played a signifcant role in forming AdvancePierre's sales, marketing and product strategies, which have led to its growth and leading position in the vending sand- wich and foodservice segment. In his sales position with AdvancePierre, Allahyar has challenged operators to understand their price points and waste costs, often guaranteeing product to secure trials. He has become a trusted source of information on product mix as well as new product introductions. Paul DeRosse, Vice President of Business Development, Canada, Apriva In his role with Apriva, DeRosse is highly involved in the cashless payment move- ment in the vending industry in Canada. DeRosse sees a great need to encourage the vending industry to establish a local networking base and has taken an active role in educating the vending industry through his many presentations at trade shows. DeRosse works with the local regulatory agencies and associations to ensure the specifc requirements of the vending industry are addressed. For example, Paul lob- bied with Interac so that expensive PIN ENTRY devices and separate receipt printers would not be required on a vending machine which would accept Interac FLASH, greatly impacting the industry. Tom Steuber, President, Associated Coffee Steuber began in the OCS industry in 1972 when his family started Associated Services. Steuber took over leadership of the company in 2007 and led both the company and his employees through a recession. Steuber's philosophy to growing a successful company is learning how he can add value to the customers, the company and the employees. He has invested in both technology and micro markets, as well as his own employees' training so they are better equipped to evolve with the changing marketplace. Steuber will continue to look towards con- sumer trends and evaluate investments that work for his company, his customers and his employees. Scott Meskin, President, Black Tie Services Meskin has been involved in the vending industry for more than 35 years and cur- rently serves as the president for Baltimore, MD–based Black Tie Services. Meskin has witnessed the growing imbalance between free market demands and government regulation sur- rounding the industry, but works with NAMA and industry partners like USConnect to better respond to and overcome challenges. An industry advocate, Meskin participated in NAMA's Fly-In event in Washington, D.C. and is heavily involved in the Maryland DC Vending Asso- ciation. This year Meskin led his team to integrate healthy vending throughout the city of Baltimore and added 500 machines to locations. Find out more about the Black Tie Services team on page 28. McWhirter Allahyar Steuber DeRosse Meskin Rosenberg 2015 Individual Pros to Know (Listed alphabetically by company) December 2015 VendingMarketWatch.com Automatic Merchandiser 23