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aying 'yes' keeps Pro-Vend in the black. From new and modern equipment to cashless payment acceptance, this long-time indepen- dent vending operation based in Prince George, VA, is able to offer locations the innovative vending ser- vice and convenient products they want, but at a price all can afford. Current President and General Man- ager of Pro-Vend, Inc., Jerry Triplett, has worked to increase the value of snacks in order to earn a dollar price point in vending machines and reprice items to produce the desired commission rates requested by cer- tain businesses. Triplett's positive client-service provider attitude and focus on sus- tainable business practices come from a product supplier background, but have worked very well in the vending business and has helped to maintain the company's positive reputation in the Richmond and Tri-Cities market. "Our customers know that we are honest and easy to do business with. Integrity is very important in our philosophy," said Pam Keener, vice- president of sales. "We get very good referrals from our customers – which is a real blessing." Keener is quick to point out these referrals wouldn't come without the dedication and hard work of all of Pro-Vend's employees. A dream of better service Established in 1988, Pro-Vend was formed by Michael McNally, a retired Mid Atlantic Coca-Cola executive. He has been chairman and major- ity stock holder for the last 28 years. Keener has also been with Pro-Vend since the beginning, having started in the Mid Atlantic Coca-Cola customer service department. She worked with Roland Fontaine who became the frst president of Pro-Vend and was a driv- ing force in building the company. "It was corporate changes that brought McNally and Fontaine together to start the company," Keener said. She joined them, quite nervous, initially, about working with a start-up, but after 28 years, it has all worked out. "Our chair- man used to say, 'You'll always have partners in the vending business, but you just don't always know who they are.' He, therefore, made sure the management team had skin in the game by giving them equity," Keener explained. That frst year was great for the new business. Keener remembers building up the vending routes quickly and establishing a loyal customer base. "It was very excit- ing," she said. "We had all new equipment to place and we had our reputation going for us. In 1998, Triplett was working for Wonder Bread and Hostess Cake and began looking for a new busi- ness opportunity. Pro-Vend provided that vehicle. His responsibility was to develop and grow the coffee busi- ness. It became known as Chesterfeld Coffee & Tea, so it would be separate in the consumer's mind from the idea of vending coffee, which had a nega- tive perception. "Under his leadership the coffee business really grew," said Keener. Triplett was able to use his conve- nience store and restaurant contacts S '' Our customers know that we are honest and easy to do business with. Integrity is very important in our philosophy. '' Pam Keener, vice-president of sales, Pro-Vend April 2016 VendingMarketWatch.com Automatic Merchandiser 47 O P E R A T I O N P R O F I L E The Pro-Vend group shown has more than 100 combined years of experience in the vending business. James Farias, route supervisor, at left; Butch Puckett, senior supervisor; Rob Knowles, mechanic; Jonathan Hankins, mechanic; and John Moody, mechanic. Pro-Vend, Inc. and Chesterfield Coffee & Tea's office and warehouse are located in Prince George, VA.