Our Specialists

Quick Links:

Food Services of America Product Specialists Our highly qualified specialists are available to listen to your needs, understand your requirements and recommend the best products for the job. They can also assist in a wide range of areas including quality and grade specifications, preparation and cooking methods, menu management and staff training. Specialist Tip

	We have over 12 Product Specialists to serve you. Beverage Brands Center of the Plate Disposables/Chemical Education/Bid Healthcare Produce Seafood Supply & Equipment

	Mike Griffin Beverage/Chemical Professional Background Mike has a BA in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Education. He was a restaurant owner, district manager, and a regional director of training for Sambo’s Restaurants in the 70’s. He worked for Ecolab from 1980 to 1995 as a field rep. and then as a District Manager. He worked for JohnsonDiversey for the past eleven years. He joined FSA in April 2006 as a Chemical/Beverage Specialist. Responsibilities Mike is responsible for the growth and well-being of the beverage component and chemical program for FSA from Seattle to the Canadian border, including the Wenatchee District. He interacts with our various vendors to insure quality products and service to our customers. Mike is available to assist sales associates and well as current and prospective customers. Contact Mike

	Gary May Brands Professional Background Gary's primary focus is the poultry, pork and deli segments of our business. He has been in the food and beverage industry since 1970. Most recently as the regional manager for Tyson Foods in the Northwest Region. Gary spent 7 years with Tyson before joining the team at Food Services of America. He spent a little over 3 years as a broker representative for Food Service Specialist. Primarily focused on the branded products, cooked turkey, roast beef, ham, corned beef and pastrami. Along with having a strong sense of matching products to applications he was also a Sous Chef and Executive chef for 15 years. Responsibilities Gary brings focus, drive and enthusiasm to poultry, pork and deli segments of our business. He is here to assist you with the wide range of FSA Branded products available from Food Services of America. Contact Gary

	Tracey Stephenson Center of the Plate Professional Background Tracey’s background includes 10 years in the restaurant business, working at establishments including The Space Needle, Victor Rossellini, and the Ram Corporation, 3 years in hotel business with The Hyatt Regency, 12 years in the private club business which includes The Sunset Club and Tacoma Country and Golf Club. Tracey has also taught culinary school at Occupational Skills Center, South Seattle Community College, and The Bon Marche Culinary School. Tracey’s style is hands on, leading by example and bringing the enthusiasm towards food and teaching. Responsibilities Tracey brings education and practicality on developing menu items from pubs to fine dining establishments. Educating and knowledge is Tracey’s primary focus in a support role for our sales associates. Listening and giving ideas on new center of the plate items using our FSA brands. Contact Tracey

	Rich Echternkamp Disposables Professional Background Rich has 37 years of experience in the packaging industry where he's worked with a wide range of establishments including Retail, Hotels, Schools and Healthcare Facilities. Responsibilities Rich is responsible for merchandising, sales and developing a cost effective packaging system to meet individual customer needs. Rich's knowledge of the Disposable Industry is invaluable. A highly experienced professional, Rich is dedicated to providing reliable service for associates and customers. Contact Rich

	Mark Fellows Chemicals Professional Background Mark has been in the chemical industry for 23 years as a vendor partner. He's been a Chemical Specialist with Food Services of America since 1996. Responsibilities Mark is responsible for helping customers and associates understand Food Service of America's broad range of chemical products, including dishwashing machines, soap, cleaning products and systems. He also coordinates the installation and set-up services for our customers. Contact Mark

	Pam Olsen Bid & Education Professional Background Pam has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Minot State University. She has 27 years of experience in the foodservice industry, including five years in the restaurant industry. Pam has been with Food Services of America for 22 years, the last 13 years as an Education Sales Specialist. Responsibilities Pam plays a major role in Food Services of America's educational and bid business. She is responsible for managing bid contracts and government commodities. She assists the Sales Department and customers with nutrition information and special products. Pam excels at working with the customer and always looks for more enhanced and efficient ways to provide the product and or service a customers needs. Contact Pam

	Margaret Dam Registered Dietian Education Sales Professional Background Margaret's background includes four years as a Hospital Dietitian and eight years as a School Foodservice Director. Margaret has been an Education Sales Specialist for Food Services of America for 13 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Responsibilities Margaret is responsible for developing our school business in Western Washington. She plans workshops for school foodservice personnel, coordinates exhibits and advertising, oversees purchases of special school products, assists the Sales department with any school related sales activity, and manages bid contracts for purchasing cooperatives and individual school districts. Margaret also creates a nutritional menu cycle on Nutrikids for schools. Contact Margaret

	Debby Latham-Skagen Certified Home Economist Healthcare Professional Background Debby has 25 years of health care experience in sales, distribution, marketing and operational enhancement. Debby has a Bachelor of Science degree in food and nutrition with a minor in business administration, and she is ServeSafe® certified. Responsibilities Debby is an outstanding resource for nursing and retirement homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals and congregate care programs. Her responsibilities include supervising the healthcare specialists, continuing education workshops, our Healthy Solutions monthly publication, and FirstLink® training. Debbie also works with customers in contract negotiation. As Western Washington Group's healthcare expert, Debby is continuously researching health care trends and products that can help our customers. Contact Debby

	Don Emory Produce Professional Background Don has experience beginning with retail produce sales and merchandising. He worked in wholesale produce operations & distribution before moving to purchasing for 13 years, handling produce and dairy line management. Don worked with contract-bid maintenance. He has helpful knowledge in packing and quality assurance. He was also production manager for Garden Fresh Foods. Don has been a participant in the advancement value-added produce. Responsibilities Don will promote opportunity in produce and C.O.P. growth with options that add efficiency and quality. He will provide education in handling. His experience in seasonality will assist with constantly changing sources and varieties in our produce. Contact Don

	Bill Luke Seafood Professional Background Bill's career in the foodservice industry began with 10 years in the restaurant business in roles ranging from dishwasher to front of the house manager to chef. In 1986, he started in the Seafood business, with long tenures at Pacific Fish and Ocean Beauty Seafoods, where he developed and maintained large, profitable account bases. Responsibilities Bill's role is to promote seafood and educate both associates and customers on all aspects of fish, from origin and characteristics of species, to ordering and handling. The seafood business is a dynamic, fast-changing world, and Bill keeps everyone abreast of the latest market trends and availabilities, while helping to establish Food Services of America as a premiere seafood vendor. Contact Bill

	Gwen Brinkley Supply & Equipment Professional Background Gwen's background includes restaurant and hotel management experience as well as eleven years in sales for a restaurant supply company. Before joining Food Services of America in 1991, she spent two years as an Equipment Manager for a bar supply company developing tabletop line item sales. Gwen also has a degree in Hotel and Restaurant management. Responsibilities Gwen's extensive experience enables her to closely relate to our customers and sales associates needs. She specializes in front-of-the-house and tabletop products, enjoys taking on the challenge locating new or unique products for customers and sales associates. Contact Gwen

	Larry Johnson Supply & Equipment Professional Background Larry has been involved in the Supply & Equipment end of the foodservice business for over 25 years. Larry has worked in sales, purchasing, marketing, contract sales and as a factory representative. This provides him with a well versed background. Larry has a degree in Hotel/Motel Management and Marketing and is accredited as a Certified Foodservice Professional from the National Association of Foodservice Manufacturers. Responsibilities Larry works with several sales districts and corporate accounts in filling supply and equipment needs. Contact Larry

	back to top