Products and Equipment that Will Be Game-Changers in 2024

Cam Cloeter
Founder and President
Lighting for Impact

Cameron began his career in the consumer products industry as a Sales Representative for Coca Cola USA. Cam then transitioned to Mars, Inc. and served in a variety of sales and marketing roles including Director of Sales. In 1995, Cam joined Time Warner Retail as Senior Vice President of Sales. In 2002, Cam founded Impulse Marketing Company and served as President. In 2011, Cameron co-founded Lighting for Impact, a company that designs retail shelf and display lighting systems. 

Emily Galant
Senior Customer Manager
Mars Ice Cream

As the Senior Customer Manager for Mars Ice Cream's unattended retail channel, Emily ensures the seamless integration of these powerhouse ice cream brands and innovative equipment across the Micro Market, Vending, and OCS segments. Her nearly 6 years with Mars across both the category and sales functions play a pivotal role in elevating the ice cream category and positioning Mars Ice Cream as a leader in delivering premium frozen treats.

Panelists

Sandy Schoenthaler
Industry Consultant

Sandy Schoenthaler is an industry consultant with 38 years of knowledge and experience being a leader in the foodservice, vending, micro market and office coffee industry. Her strong knowledge of operations, finance, sales, marketing and merchandising has allowed her to collaborate with companies around the country and internationally to grow their business.

Joe Siminovich
Director of Operations
New Stand

Joe Simonovich is the Director of Operations at New Stand, a company that focuses on enhancing workplace experience. He spent more than 13 years as an OCS and pantry operator, primarily in the New York City market in roles ranging from vice president of marketing to SVP of operations to chief growth officer with Corporate Essentials. He has a BA in journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), and resides in Denville, New Jersey with his wife Jenn, and their daughter Zoe. New Stand has recently begun working with OCS and pantry operators to help create premium workplace experiences for their largest clients.

Steve Orlando
Co-founder and President
Fixturelite

Steve Orlando is the Co-founder and President of Fixturelite. He is experienced as a former Micro Market, Vending, and OCS operator for nearly ten years; and calls Phoenix, AZ home. He holds Lean Six Sigma certification from Purdue University and studied at The University of Arizona - Eller College of Management. He and his company, Fixturelite, have been awarded the "Pro's to Know" industry designation by Automatic Merchandiser Magazine for six consecutive years.

Steve leveraged his ten years of unattended retail experience and turned his focus toward helping Micro Market, Office Coffee, Refreshments, and Foodservice operators in the unattended retail space across North America by creating Fixturelite. His role at Fixturelite focuses primarily on leadership and business development. He assists Fixturelite customers with their businesses by providing much-needed retail customer experience solutions and business support systems designed "by operators for operators™." He has been involved in designing, manufacturing, and installing thousands of unattended retail locations across North America.

Steve Closser
Chief Integrator

Steve has been in food service industry his entire 30-year career. Beginning as a dishwasher progressing through the ranks to eventually being a Founding Partner in Elite Cuisine. In 2017 selling his interest to his business partner Steve and Patty decided to begin another business, Translucent.
 
Throughout his career he has always focused on 2 things; Service and Commitment. Steve views it as an honor to serve and thrives on helping operators being successful by helping them use technology, hard work and a clear business path to achieve their goals. Steve & Patty have been married for 31 years and have 4 amazing children whom have all gone onto achieve great things in their lives. One kid is an entrepreneur, another a CPA & CFO, an IT professional and finally a police officer. Steve often says; “my life is a vacation and the sun is always out, Amen”. 

Dennis Hogan
Senior Customer Manager – Unattended Retail
Mars Wrigley Confectionery

Dennis brings over 15 years of experience in the industry. He has been on the Mars Wrigley Unattended Retail team for three years focusing on traditional vending and micro market business. Prior to Unattended Retail, Dennis worked on the Mars Wrigley Military business supporting the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces by bringing their favorite confectionery brands to military bases all over the world.

Molly Rogers
Managing Editor
Automatic Merchandiser

Moderator: Bob Tullio
Contributing Editor, Automatic Merchandiser/VendingMarketWatch.com
Tullio B2B

Bob Tullio is a content specialist, speaker, sales trainer, consultant and contributing editor of Automatic Merchandiser/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 new podcast, Vending & OCS Nation, 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].

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