Vollrath Sales VP Park Retires, Kelm Steps in to Fill Role
Chris Kelm
The Vollrath Company, a leader in the foodservice equipment industry, announces that Dennis Park, Vollrath’s vice president of sales, is retiring after serving the company and the industry for over 35 years. Stepping into the role of leading the North American sales organization is Chris Kelm.
“Dennis’ contribution to the growth and success of Vollrath over the last three and a half decades has been invaluable. He truly is an iconic figure in our industry,” says Brian Hedlund, senior vice president of Vollrath Foodservice – US and Canada. “While Dennis is about to enjoy his well-earned retirement, we are excited to welcome Chris Kelm to Vollrath and leverage his valuable experience to grow our business further.”
In his position, Kelm will provide continuity in leadership for the North American sales organization and manage the distribution strategy. He is responsible for directing, planning and developing sales activities and establishing policies and objectives of the sales function to support the strategic objectives of the organization.
Kelm comes to Vollrath after over 15 years at Johnson Controls, where he held various positions of increasing responsibility in finance, corporate strategy, commercial operations and sales management. Most recently, Kelm was the executive director of channel strategy and commercial operations for global products business. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and information technology from Northern Michigan University and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Founded in 1874 and based in Sheboygan, Wis., The Vollrath Company is a privately held, family-owned and, today, a six- and seventh-generation woman-owned company. It has 10 factories spread across the United States, Europe and China that manufacture products to exacting quality standards globally, backed by outstanding customer service. The company focuses on quality design, engineering and manufacturing across its business divisions for foodservice and custom and specialty products.
Vollrath Foodservice is a global leader in foodservice equipment and supplies that offers an expansive portfolio of award-winning, premium-quality commercial foodservice equipment including serving systems and components, countertop equipment and smallwares. Primarily produced and assembled in the United States, Vollrath’s products are manufactured to exacting quality standards globally, backed by outstanding customer service and extensive educational resources. For more details, visit vollrathfoodservice.com.
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Southern Glazer’s Rewards VolunCheer of the Year, Charities
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has announced the recipient of its 2022 VolunCheer of the Year Award, Lisa Flowers-Espinosa, customer service manager from Southern Glazer’s in Phoenix. VolunCheers is Southern Glazer’s grassroots employee volunteering and giving program that empowers team members to engage with charities in their local communities. These efforts are managed through the company’s enterprise-wide digital portal, VolunCheers Online, where employees can connect with each other, organize and promote volunteering and giving activities.
For the annual VolunCheer of the Year program, employees voted from among a group of 2022 VolunCheer of the Month winners to determine who would be selected to receive a prize of $5,000 donated to the winner’s charity of choice.
Flowers-Espinosa received special VolunCheer recognition for her efforts in hosting a donation drive for Youth On Their Own (YOTO), a charity that supports local youth with food, school supplies, toiletries, and academic support. In 2022, Flowers-Espinosa successfully spearheaded a donation drive benefiting YOTO by working with a local team of employee volunteers to collect donations to support the youth in her community facing homelessness. The charity was positively overwhelmed by the overflow of donations and commented, “This was the most donations we have ever received at one time!”
In recognition of her award, Flowers-Espinosa selected the Navajo Relief Fund and Boys & Girls Club of the (east) Valley to be the recipients of Southern Glazer’s $5,000 donation, with each charity receiving $2,500 on her behalf.
“The two charities that I have selected play a huge role in everything that I stand for, particularly a better future for youth and their families,” said Flowers-Espinosa. “The Boys and Girls Club serves over 13,000 young people in grades K-12 right in the center of my hometown. As a latch-key kid myself, I understand fully the need for after-school and summer programs for our children, especially youth at risk. Also, a large part of the Arizona population is Native Americans. The Navajo Relief Fund serves the largest Indian reservation in the United States, spanning over 16 million acres in Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern Utah. In the face of extreme poverty and adversity, it just felt right to help the families of Diné Nation (our Native Navajos).”
Southern Glazer’s also rounded out 2022 with its annual Holiday Giving Campaign, during which the company pledged to donate $25 for every volunteer hour logged by employees on VolunCheers Online throughout November and December. The beneficiaries of the campaign are the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG), Arbor Day Foundation, Dress for Success, and Feeding America, with 10 percent of total donations benefiting Southern Glazer’s Canada’s charity of choice, Sickkids.
Southern Glazer’s employees more than doubled last year’s results by logging 2,881 volunteer hours in support of diverse causes on VolunCheers Online, resulting in a total donation of $72,025 to support the five selected charities above. As a result of employees’ commitment to giving back, the USBG, Arbor Day Foundation, Dress for Success, and Feeding America will each receive a $16,205.62 donation and Sickkids will receive a $7,205.50 donation, to help further their meaningful work on behalf of Southern Glazer’s.
“Southern Glazer’s encourages volunteerism that fosters opportunity and belonging in the communities where we live and operate,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, chief executive officer. “Our employees are constantly finding ways to expand our volunteer footprint and increase their collective positive impact. The VolunCheers program here at Southern Glazer’s not only makes it easy for employees to find and initiate volunteer and fundraising activities, it allows us to recognize our employees’ commitment to change the world one action at a time.”
Month after month, Southern Glazer’s employees expressed their gratitude through meaningful charitable work. The company is proud to close 2022 with nearly 12,200 employee volunteer hours logged and 210 employee-led volunteer events organized to benefit more than 185 charities.
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Giant Food Launching Virtual ‘Healthier Together’ Classes
Giant Food Announces “Healthier Together” Virtual Series to Promote and Explore Wellness in the New Year
Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C. regional grocery chain, is launching a five-week “Healthier Together” virtual series of free online nutrition and healthy living classes aimed at supporting the wellness goals of its local community. The series will run from Jan. 17-Feb.14 and will be hosted by Giant’s Healthy Living Team of registered dietitian nutritionists who will provide guidance, inspiration, recipe, and product suggestions for those looking to kick off a healthy new year.
“Implementing lifestyle changes big or small can be overwhelming and we know change looks different for everyone,” said Lisa Coleman, director of Healthy Living at Giant. “Our team has created a program that provides realistic solutions and helpful resources for those in the community who want to start the new year off by prioritizing their wellness.”
Attendees are invited to join the live classes on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. EST or to watch recorded sessions at a time of their choosing. The sessions will explore the following topics:
- Jan. 17 – Organizing and Planning for the New Year: From Meal Planning to home keeping, learn how to better manage your budget and time using simple tools and strategies.
- Jan. 24 – A Mindful Approach to the New Year: Mindfulness is all about being present. Learn how mindfulness applies to eating, meaningful connections and work-life balance.
- Jan. 31 – Healthy Habits to Support Fitness Goals: Whether you work out at home, in the gym, or somewhere in between, healthy habits are essential to obtain and maintain your fitness goals.
- Feb. 7 – Food as Preventative Medicine: The link between food and health is more important than ever before. Learn how to shop for long-term health and wellbeing.
- Feb. 14 – Expanding & Balancing Your Plate: Healthy doesn’t have to be boring – in fact, it can be just the opposite when you try something new or trendy.
Throughout the series, the Giant Healthy Living Team will also be showcasing Guiding Stars rated products that can effectively support a full spectrum of wellness goals. To encourage customers to make healthier food choices, Giant Flexible Rewards members can opt in to receive 2x Flexible Rewards points when they shop Guiding Stars rated products.
To register for the “Healthier Together” series, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/healthier-together-a-5-week-series-tickets-399165333257 or giantfood.com/healthiertogether.
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