Kittredge Foodservice Equipment has several changes in its Sales Management Team.
Jeffrey Mackey has been promoted to V.P. of Sales and will continue to manage a 25-strong sales force
covering greater New England. Three employees have been promoted to New England Regional Managers: Cynthia Lummus - Southern Regional Manager, Dennis Reardon - Central Regional Manager, and Bob Beattie - Northern Regional Manager. Beattie also will continue as the G.M. of the Williston Vermont Location. Kathy Fitzgerald has been promoted to Showroom Manager at the Agawam, Massachusetts location.
Kittredge Foodservice Equipment is now a Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). Recognized by SOMWBA.
Minority-and women-owned
businesses provide ever-
increasing value to our
state's economy...
By facilitating easier access
to the various phases of
state purchasing and
contracting, SOMWBA is
providing a valuable
jumpstart to many of these
business which make up
our state's fastest-growing
business sector.
In August of 1996, the Weld-Cellucci Administration signed Executive Order 390 - The Affirmative Market Program in Public Contracting. In doing so, the Administration re-affirmed its commitment to enhance the participation of minority and women-owned businesses in the public sector marketplace. Executive Order 390, and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 7, Section 40N establish the state's affirmative purchasing programs for minority and women businesses. SOMWBA certification expands the market opportunities of Minority Business Enterprises and Woman-Owned Business Enterprises by certifying their eligibility to participate in affirmative business opportunity programs throughout the state.
Give us a call for more information on how this can help YOU!
Springfield JCC Building Named for Neal Webber
SPRINGFIELD, MA
In recognition of a generous
gift from Ruth Webber, the Springfield Jewish Community Center is being
named in memory of Ruth's son, Neal Webber, who died in 2008 after a
battle with cancer.
On Sunday, June 13, a ceremony at the JCC was
held with guest speaker Congressman Richard Neal. During the program,
the JCC building was renamed the Neal Webber Building.
While Ruth Webber has requested that the amount of the gift remain anonymous, it
is among the largest individual gifts ever received by the Springfield JCC.
The Katz-Webber family has been involved in the Springfield
JCC for more than 80 years. As a child, Ruth Webber was not only
involved in many activities here, she watched as her parents played
leadership roles at the Center. Her father, Benjamin Katz, was
president of the JCC in the early 1930s, paving the way for Ruth, her
brother David Katz, and their families to help lead and develop the JCC
throughout the years.
Now Ruth has made this new gift to ensure
the future of the JCC.
"This is a beautiful tribute by a
remarkably generous woman who chose to memorialize her son in the place
in the community he loved the most," says Arthur Grodd, a good friend of
Neal's. "The Springfield JCC is a place that Neal grew up in and loved.
Each time friends and family go into the building, they do so with a
bittersweet smile and fond memories of Neal."
Neal Webber, who was the owner of Kittredge Equipment Company, carried on his family's tradition of
involvement and leadership at the JCC. Throughout his life, he was an
active member of the JCC, participating in many activities here and
serving in key leadership roles. An avid runner, Neal was a regular
fixture in the annual Father's Day Road Race, and spent many hours in
the JCC Health and Fitness Center. Always a generous supporter of the
JCC, Neal was a founding co-chair of Chai Society, the giving effort
that provides critically needed support to the JCC each year.
"The naming of our building in memory of Neal Webber is an incredible act of
generosity that will help secure the vitality of our JCC for future
generations," said Sally Schneider, Springfield JCC president. "Ruth's
gift provides a lasting memorial to Neal. It offers all of us the
motivation to join her by continuing to raise funds to sustain our
incredible facility, and continue the programs that were so much a part
of Neal's life."
Springfield's Jewish Community Center Named for Neal Webber
SPRINGFIELD, MA
Neal Webber was remembered Sunday as a great father, a
friend, an athlete and philanthropist as many gathered to name the
Springfield Jewish Community Center in his honor.
After Webber, of Springfield, died in 2008 of cancer, his mother, Ruth
Webber, decided to make a sizable donation to the Jewish Community
Center and developed the Neal Webber Building Sustainability Fund to
assist with building maintenance, said Michael L. Paysnick, Jewish
Community Center executive director.
She and her grandson, Jacob Webber, officially pulled down a white
sheet to reveal the new “Neal Webber Jewish Community Center” sign
during the ceremony.
The donation amount was not revealed, but Paysnick it can be used for
capital improvements, programming, operations and the endowment fund.
Speakers agreed it was appropriate to name the community center in
Webber’s honor because he was so dedicated to the place. He formed
friendships there, volunteered there and exercised there.
“What is it going to be like to see Neal’s name here. I think it is
going to be sad. It is going to hurt a little because Neal is not here,”
said Rabbi Mark Shapiro.
He told the crowd he hoped they would be able to think in some way he
is back by having his name on the center.
During the event a half-dozen of Webber’s friends who he often ran with
told a little about his passion for soccer, skiing and running.
U. S. Sen. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, a long-time family friend,
thanked them for their willingness to help future generations.
Jimmy Fund introduces Mass Dash for July 2010
BOSTON, MA
Wickedlocal.com - Tue Dec 22, 2009, 09:49 AM EST
In July 2010, hundreds of runners will take part in the first annual Mass Dash, a 200-mile
non-stop relay from the Berkshires to Boston to raise money for the
Jimmy Fund.
Presented by Title Partners Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
and Kittredge Equipment, along with Race Partners and Friends of the
Mass Dash, the Mass Dash will take place Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18, 2010.
Proceeds will benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
On Saturday morning, teams comprising of 6-36 people will line up at
the base of Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, and
race to Boston Harbor. Conceived as a two-day team adventure race with
a very significant purpose, the Mass Dash will bring together hundreds
of runners, sharing their time, their thoughts and themselves, while
racing across Massachusetts.
These runners are all dedicated to raising awareness and funds to
support family, friends and neighbors in the fight against cancer.
The relay was established in memory of Neal Webber, a Longmeadow
resident who was diagnosed with prostate cancer prostate in 2004.
Webber, who was treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston,
fought a hard battle, but succumbed to the disease in 2008. Webber was
an outstanding athlete and was a standout soccer player in college at
Dartmouth. He was an avid runner and completed sub-3-hour marathons.
Race Director Bruce Leshine was a longtime of friend of Webber’s, and came up with the idea of the Mass Dash back in 2007.
“While running our fifth relay race, I came up with the idea to
create our own race to raise cancer awareness,” says Leshine. “The
first person I talked to about that idea was Neal. I asked him what he
thought, and he said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
The scenic course will start at the Mount Greylock State Reservation
in Lanesboro and finish at the University of Massachusetts at Boston.
UMass-Amherst will serve as the halfway point and the runners will
cross the Winsor Dam at the Quabbin Reservoir in the middle of the
night. A post-race party will be held on the lawn at UMass-Boston
overlooking Boston Harbor.
“This relay will take courage, endurance and passion. Mass Dash
participants will take on this challenge to support those who face a
difficult journey themselves,” says Dana-Farber Marathon and Running
Programs Director Jan Ross. “We applaud these athletes who strive to
make a difference in the lives of cancer patients.”
Now we are located at 484 Avenue D in the Williston Industrial Park!
Only 1/4 mile from Kittredge’s previous Vermont Showroom, the 18,000 square foot state of the
art building features a bright and newly designed showroom, efficient high bay
warehouse storage, sales offices and conference facilities.
The location is open to the public and also
features ample customer parking and room for significant expansion.
Kittredge is an 88 year young, family owned, distributor of food service equipment and
supplies. The company services restaurants, hospitals, colleges, schools, municipalities, and general
contractors.
Wendy Webber, president of the company, tells us that this investment positions the company
for continued growth and added efficiency to better serve its broad customer
base in Northwest New England.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for the 1st week of December. A grand opening is planned for the
spring.
Hours of operation are 8:30-5:00 M-F and 8:00-12:00 on Saturdays.
Kittredge Equipment’s new Vermont Division contact information is listed below:
DSR of the Month: Cynthia Lummus Kittredge Foodservice Equipment, Agawam, MA
By Lisa White, Contributing Editor -- Foodservice Equipment and Supplies 3/1/2008
Cynthia Lummus,
Design and Contract Sales
In an era where changing jobs, if not careers, seems to be the norm,
Cynthia Lummus has selected a different approach to defining her
success. Lummus, a design and contract sales rep at Kittredge Equipment
Co., based in Agawam, Mass., has not only been at her company for 25
years, with the exception of a short stint at another dealership, but
also she has excelled in her role.
She interned at Kittredge during her senior year at the University
of Massachusetts in Amherst at the recommendation of a professor. After
receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Lummus joined Kittredge
full-time and stayed for 15 years, before joining another dealer that
was closer to her home. "After three years, the new management at
Kittredge wooed me back," Lummus said.
Lummus is known for her exemplary product knowledge. And she prides
herself on working closely with customers from the beginning to the end
of her projects. For this reason, Lummus has a remarkable rapport with
her customers.
A dedicated, straightforward and hands-on approach has garnered Lummus the title of DSR of the Month for March 2008.
FE&S: Describe the way you approach communicating with existing and potential customers.
CL: Most of my customers are independents,
healthcare facilities and retail operations. People have a good comfort
level with me, because I am straightforward. I'll tell them the truth,
even if the news is hard to hear. For example, I had a good client take
me to check out a new location, which was very undesirable. I told him
to rethink his choice before making such a big investment.
"Every job is different and every kitchen I design is unique to that particular project."
FE&S: Your product knowledge is said to be very strong. How does that feed into supporting your customers?
CL: My customers regularly ask what's new in the industry. To keep current, I go to trade shows, read magazines and talk to reps, who keep me well-informed. By providing this information, I try to give my customers the best product for their application.
FE&S: In an era when people change jobs and industries frequently, what keeps you in foodservice?
CL: I'm meeting different people all of the time. Every job is different and every kitchen I design is unique to that particular project. If I'm on the road all day, I'm often at my desk at night, as my mind is still fresh with all of the ideas discussed that day.
FE&S: What's your approach to helping clients take a project from concept to completion?
CL: My customers are all so different, and each has
their own idea of what they want to serve and, ultimately, be. I try to
give my clients the best equipment that meets their needs and budget. I
also keep up with the health department issues and building codes. I'm
always on-site when equipment is being delivered. I always make a point
to stop by several times during the progression of each project.
FE&S: How do you see the DSR role evolving and changing in the future?
CL: DSRs have to be quick to respond, and need to
keep up with changes in the industry. The internet and catalog houses
are our biggest competition. As the economy changes, people are
becoming much more price-conscious. It is important to let the customer
know that it's not just about price, but that we care about them,
otherwise there will be no customer.
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