The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) added 12 new members to its board of directors during the PFMA Annual Conference on May 11 in Hershey. The board expanded to 43 members as PFMA and the Pennsylvania Distributors Association (PDA) merged into one stronger association. We are pleased to introduce our new board members, who will help develop the association’s agenda and form policy decisions over the next several years.
Jeff Allen, Allen Brothers Wholesale Distribution, Philadelphia, PA
Jeff Allen is the third generation president at Allen Brothers Wholesale Distribution, a convenience store distributor and wholesale products vendor. Allen took on the company’s daily operations in 1991 and since then has dramatically enhanced the company’s presence in the Mid-Atlantic region and broadened its product offering.
An active PDA member since 1985, he served as a board member, past president and chairman. He is also active nationally in the Convenience Distribution Association (CDA), where he serves on the board and legislative committee.
He serves as co-chairman of the PFMA legislative committee.
Jeff Allen is the third generation president at Allen Brothers Wholesale Distribution, a convenience store distributor and wholesale products vendor. Allen took on the company’s daily operations in 1991 and since then has dramatically enhanced the company’s presence in the Mid-Atlantic region and broadened its product offering.
An active PDA member since 1985, he served as a board member, past president and chairman. He is also active nationally in the Convenience Distribution Association (CDA), where he serves on the board and legislative committee.
He serves as co-chairman of the PFMA legislative committee.
Justin Evans, Giant Eagle, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA
Justin Evans has served Giant Eagle for 8 years in the areas of sustainability, government and development finance. He is highly regarded for his passion in advancing the organization as a committed champion of renewable energy, alternative fuels and waste diversion.
A key member of the Giant Eagle’s Sustainability/Government team, Evans has helped raise the company’s national leadership profile, resulting in recognition for conservation, energy efficiency, environmental excellence and several groundbreaking legislative changes within Pennsylvania.
He earned his Associate of Science Degree from Penn State University; his Bachelor of Science from Point Park University, and his MBA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He serves on many sustainability and government committees, including the Food Marketing Institute and the Retail Industry Leaders Association.
Justin Evans has served Giant Eagle for 8 years in the areas of sustainability, government and development finance. He is highly regarded for his passion in advancing the organization as a committed champion of renewable energy, alternative fuels and waste diversion.
A key member of the Giant Eagle’s Sustainability/Government team, Evans has helped raise the company’s national leadership profile, resulting in recognition for conservation, energy efficiency, environmental excellence and several groundbreaking legislative changes within Pennsylvania.
He earned his Associate of Science Degree from Penn State University; his Bachelor of Science from Point Park University, and his MBA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He serves on many sustainability and government committees, including the Food Marketing Institute and the Retail Industry Leaders Association.
Joseph Fasula, Gerrity’s Supermarkets, Scranton, PA
Joe Fasula is vice president and co-owner of Gerrity’s Supermarkets, a nine-store food retailer headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
After his father Neal Fasula passed away suddenly in 1997, Joe, who was right out of college, joined his mother, Joyce “Mom” Fasula in operating the family business. As vice president, Fasula is involved in every facet of the company, from the daily operations with more than 1,000 employees and managers reporting to him; creating detailed marketing campaigns and advertising programs; to supervising all expansions and remodels. He was integral in the development of the “Mom” marketing campaign – the keystone to Gerrity’s marketing strategy since its roll out in 2004.
Fasula earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Scranton in 1997.
Joe Fasula is vice president and co-owner of Gerrity’s Supermarkets, a nine-store food retailer headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
After his father Neal Fasula passed away suddenly in 1997, Joe, who was right out of college, joined his mother, Joyce “Mom” Fasula in operating the family business. As vice president, Fasula is involved in every facet of the company, from the daily operations with more than 1,000 employees and managers reporting to him; creating detailed marketing campaigns and advertising programs; to supervising all expansions and remodels. He was integral in the development of the “Mom” marketing campaign – the keystone to Gerrity’s marketing strategy since its roll out in 2004.
Fasula earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Scranton in 1997.
A. Robert Fortunato, Team Sledd, Wheeling, WV
Bob Fortunato is director of wholesale sales for Team Sledd Company, a convenience channel supplier and food distributor with headquarters in Wheeling, West Virginia. The company delivers products to stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.
With 34 years in the confectionery business, Fortunato shared his knowledge as a wholesale advisor to the National Confectioners Association from 2006 to 2008 and served as president of the Pittsburgh Candy Club from 1994 to 1995. He served as a PDA board member for 16 years. In addition, he earned Broker of the Year awards from Phoenix Candy Co., Corn Nuts, Stork USA, L.P., Ferrero USA, Inc., Amurol Products Co., and Pearson’s Candy Co.
Bob Fortunato is director of wholesale sales for Team Sledd Company, a convenience channel supplier and food distributor with headquarters in Wheeling, West Virginia. The company delivers products to stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.
With 34 years in the confectionery business, Fortunato shared his knowledge as a wholesale advisor to the National Confectioners Association from 2006 to 2008 and served as president of the Pittsburgh Candy Club from 1994 to 1995. He served as a PDA board member for 16 years. In addition, he earned Broker of the Year awards from Phoenix Candy Co., Corn Nuts, Stork USA, L.P., Ferrero USA, Inc., Amurol Products Co., and Pearson’s Candy Co.
Jonathan Resnick, Resnick Distributors, New Brunswick, NJ
Jonathan Resnick serves as vice president sales and marketing and partner for Resnick Distributors, a New Jersey-based distributor serving convenience stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, tobacco shops, gift shops, specialty stores, wholesalers and concessions.
Resnick, a third generation member of his family to work in the business, started with the company in 2006. He graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Political Science.
He was also a member of the PDA board.
Jonathan Resnick serves as vice president sales and marketing and partner for Resnick Distributors, a New Jersey-based distributor serving convenience stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, tobacco shops, gift shops, specialty stores, wholesalers and concessions.
Resnick, a third generation member of his family to work in the business, started with the company in 2006. He graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Political Science.
He was also a member of the PDA board.
Barry Margolis, Cooper-Booth Wholesale Company, Mountville, PA
Barry Margolis is president of Cooper-Booth Wholesale Company.
He grew up in the family business, where he began working in the warehouse at age 14. Through the years, Margolis held roles such as general manager, purchasing, sales, merchandising and credit. He was named president in 1996.
The Franklin & Marshall College graduate served as president of the Pennsylvania Distributors Association, board member of the Maryland Tobacco and Candy Distributors Association and served on the boards of several other community and industry-related groups.
Barry Margolis is president of Cooper-Booth Wholesale Company.
He grew up in the family business, where he began working in the warehouse at age 14. Through the years, Margolis held roles such as general manager, purchasing, sales, merchandising and credit. He was named president in 1996.
The Franklin & Marshall College graduate served as president of the Pennsylvania Distributors Association, board member of the Maryland Tobacco and Candy Distributors Association and served on the boards of several other community and industry-related groups.
Gary McGuirk, Jr., Liberty USA, a division of Eby Brown, West Mifflin, PA
Gary McGuirk is general manager of Liberty USA, a division of Eby Brown, a full-line distribution company servicing convenience stores. He joined the company 23 years ago and has served as corporate finance manager, operations manager, operations director, president, chief executive officer and board secretary.
Eby Brown acquired Liberty USA in April 2016. The company operates owns and operates eight distribution centers throughout the Midwest, Mid-South, Southeast, Northeast and East Coast.
McGuirk is a graduate of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Finance. He served as a board member for PDA.
Gary McGuirk is general manager of Liberty USA, a division of Eby Brown, a full-line distribution company servicing convenience stores. He joined the company 23 years ago and has served as corporate finance manager, operations manager, operations director, president, chief executive officer and board secretary.
Eby Brown acquired Liberty USA in April 2016. The company operates owns and operates eight distribution centers throughout the Midwest, Mid-South, Southeast, Northeast and East Coast.
McGuirk is a graduate of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Finance. He served as a board member for PDA.
Steve Moller, Keystone State Distributing, Bethlehem, PA
Steve Moller is vice president of Keystone State Distributing in Bethlehem, PA, and third generation of a family operation started in 1939. KSD is a distributor delivering products to grocers, convenience stores and vending accounts in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey.
He joined the company in 1992, and he understands and works many of the different jobs within it, which is necessary in smaller operations, but also helps to keep a more rounded perspective on things.
He has been a board member of the Pennsylvania Distributors Association for several years. He graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem with degrees in Accounting and Management.
Steve Moller is vice president of Keystone State Distributing in Bethlehem, PA, and third generation of a family operation started in 1939. KSD is a distributor delivering products to grocers, convenience stores and vending accounts in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey.
He joined the company in 1992, and he understands and works many of the different jobs within it, which is necessary in smaller operations, but also helps to keep a more rounded perspective on things.
He has been a board member of the Pennsylvania Distributors Association for several years. He graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem with degrees in Accounting and Management.
John Nasser, Obade Candy Company, Inc., Kittanning, PA
John Nasser is the owner and vice president of Obade Candy Company, Inc., a Kittanning, Pennsylvania-based third generation family business that sells tobacco, candy and janitorial supplies.
Nasser started working in the family business as a teen and joined the company full-time following his graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He earned his degrees in Sociology and Psychology.
His responsibilities include Information Technology, which he manages for the company. Through his interest in computer programming, he designed and built the company’s distribution software.
He is active in the industry and served on PDA’s board of directors.
John Nasser is the owner and vice president of Obade Candy Company, Inc., a Kittanning, Pennsylvania-based third generation family business that sells tobacco, candy and janitorial supplies.
Nasser started working in the family business as a teen and joined the company full-time following his graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He earned his degrees in Sociology and Psychology.
His responsibilities include Information Technology, which he manages for the company. Through his interest in computer programming, he designed and built the company’s distribution software.
He is active in the industry and served on PDA’s board of directors.
Lisa Silberman, A.J. Silberman & Co., Indianola, PA
Lisa Silberman is president and CEO of A.J. Silberman & Company, a wholesale/distributor serving convenience stores and grocers throughout Pa., Oh., Md. & WVa.
Silberman joined the company more than 30 years ago and has actively managed the administrative and financial aspects of the company.
She earned her degree in accounting and industrial relations from Kent State University. She was active on the PDA board of directors.
Lisa Silberman is president and CEO of A.J. Silberman & Company, a wholesale/distributor serving convenience stores and grocers throughout Pa., Oh., Md. & WVa.
Silberman joined the company more than 30 years ago and has actively managed the administrative and financial aspects of the company.
She earned her degree in accounting and industrial relations from Kent State University. She was active on the PDA board of directors.
Randy Silverman, Klafter’s Inc., New Castle, PA
Randy Silverman serves as president of Klafter’s Inc., a convenience store distributor and operator of Smoker Friendly retail tobacco outlets.
Silverman is the fourth generation of his family to operate the 119-year old business, which is headquartered in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and his MBA from Waynesburg University. Before joining Klafter’s, Inc., he worked as a computer programmer/analyst for Mellon Bank, NASA and Sherwin Williams.
He served as a Pennsylvania Distributors Association (PDA) board member.
Randy Silverman serves as president of Klafter’s Inc., a convenience store distributor and operator of Smoker Friendly retail tobacco outlets.
Silverman is the fourth generation of his family to operate the 119-year old business, which is headquartered in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and his MBA from Waynesburg University. Before joining Klafter’s, Inc., he worked as a computer programmer/analyst for Mellon Bank, NASA and Sherwin Williams.
He served as a Pennsylvania Distributors Association (PDA) board member.
Christian Trate, W.A. DeHart, New Columbia, PA
Chris Trate is the fourth generation president and owner of W.A. DeHart, Inc., a New Columbia-Pennsylvania based wholesaler.
The family owned business has 65 full-time employees, including 15 salespeople covering central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Eighty years ago the company started as a wholesaler for candy and tobacco products. Through the years, it expanded to offer a wide range of products and services, including paper, ice cream, beverages and janitorial products.
He is active as chairman of the board for Susquehanna Community Bancorp, West Milton, Pennsylvania, and chairman of the East Chillisqaque Township board of supervisors.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bucknell University and currently serves as an alumni advisor to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity,
He also joins the association from the PDA board of directors.
Chris Trate is the fourth generation president and owner of W.A. DeHart, Inc., a New Columbia-Pennsylvania based wholesaler.
The family owned business has 65 full-time employees, including 15 salespeople covering central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Eighty years ago the company started as a wholesaler for candy and tobacco products. Through the years, it expanded to offer a wide range of products and services, including paper, ice cream, beverages and janitorial products.
He is active as chairman of the board for Susquehanna Community Bancorp, West Milton, Pennsylvania, and chairman of the East Chillisqaque Township board of supervisors.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bucknell University and currently serves as an alumni advisor to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity,
He also joins the association from the PDA board of directors.
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