Dick Atnip to be recognized at NAMA’s Coffee Tea & Water Show

The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) announced that Dick Atnip of Atnip Co. Inc. has been named NAMA’s 2022 Coffee Legend of the Year.

Atnip will be recognized at the Coffee Tea & Water Show on Monday, November 14, during the opening session.

“Those who have had the pleasure to meet or work with Dick know he is undeniably deserving of this recognition,” Carla Balakgie, FASAE, CAE, president and CEO of NAMA, said in the announcement. “As a 60-year industry veteran and true pioneer in his field, Dick’s dedication has not only helped push the boundaries of vending and OCS products but has been instrumental in shaping both the industry and the association we are today.”

Atnip founded the Southern California-based Atnip Company in 1962, where he remains president and CEO. Working alongside his family, the company has grown into the premier vending brokerage in the western region of the U.S. and continues to promote new products and bring the latest innovations to customers in the industry.   

Atnip was named to the NAMA board of directors in 1997 and became NAMA chair in 2004, the first non-operator to do so. He has been previously recognized as a NAMA Industry Person of the Year and by the California Automatic Vending Council (CAVC) for his leadership. In 2017, Atnip was inducted into the NAMA Coffee Services Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements in coffee services.

A NAMA Coffee Legend is a pioneer, an innovator, a leader and a visionary in the industry who is passionate about coffee and willing to share their passion to educate and help others succeed. They are a fixture and leader in their community, possess a willingness to expand conventional practices, and follow ethical business standards in accordance with the NAMA code of ethics.