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IMA ADDS TO PROCUREMENT STAFF WITH SEASONED FOODSERVICE
DISTRIBUTOR VETERANS
Foodservice Procurement And Marketing Company To Expand Center-of-the-plate And Grocery Marketing Programs
HOUSTON – October 30, 2003 – Independent Marketing Alliance (IMA), the nation’s most innovative foodservice procurement and marketing company, has hired Mike A. Gentry, director, supplier and grocery merchandising; and Jim Nesbitt, director of protein merchandising.
“We are fortunate to have people of Jim’s and Mike’s experience and knowledge on our team,” said Bob Planck, president of IMA. “Their center-of-the-plate, grocery merchandising and supplier programs experience will enable IMA to expand our product lines and programs to deliver additional value to our distributor members and their customers.”
Gentry has over 30 years of merchandising, inventory management, business analysis and training experience in the foodservice industry. Prior to IMA, Gentry held several positions with the nation’s top foodservice distributor and its affiliated companies including manager—marketing analysis, project manager—inventory management system training and development, lead user representative/business analyst and manager of inventory services. He has also worked for Walling, Bell & Cox Brokerage Company and Fleming Foods, Inc. Gentry holds a degree in business administration from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.
Nesbitt is a 23-year veteran of the foodservice industry working in restaurant operations, product development, manufacturing and distribution. Before joining IMA, Nesbitt held several positions with the nation’s top foodservice distributor including CVP (fresh chicken program) national sales manager, poultry department manager, pork senior product manager and poultry product manager. Nesbitt was general manager for Hi-Flavor Meats Inc. and merchandising manager of military procurement for Con-Agra Foods, Inc. He has also worked in restaurant operations with several companies including Luther’s Bar-B-Q, Chart House, Victoria’s Station and Hilton Hospitality, Inc. He holds a degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Houston.
About Independent Marketing Alliance
Independent Marketing Alliance is a Houston, Texas-based LLC serving as the procurement, marketing, and product development facilitator for IMA member foodservice distributor companies. As the “Third Force,” the company creates value for customers and suppliers by combining IMA members’ purchasing volumes, committing to shared marketing programs and developing national IMA Branded products. Acting as a viable alternative to the massive corporate distributor groups, IMA is among the nation’s largest foodservice organizations with combined member trade sales exceeding $5 billion and a sales and marketing force of over 1,500. IMA Companies include Maines Paper & Food Service, Inc., CONCO Foodservice, The IJ Company, Reinhart FoodService and Shamrock Foods Company. For more information, visit www.independentmarketingalliance.com. (Editors: We can provide expert commentary and story ideas on the changing foodservice distribution market.)
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