PRIDE Updates Branding With New Name And Honors Top Members

A lot of business unfolded in Chicago during PRIDE Marketing & Procurement’s joint shareholder-supplier brunch. During the mid-October brunch, held to thank stakeholders for the support they have shown the Denver buying group in 2016, the company announced it had redefined its vision, mission, and core values and unveiled its new name: PRIDE Centric Resources.

“It takes the entire channel to deliver successful hospitality experiences to our customers’ customers,” says PRIDE CEO Karin Sugarman. “The PRIDE organization wants to be the resource center for all of our partners—delivering the product, services, and support needed to make you successful.”

COO Cathy Ellickson adds, “`Centric Resources’ recognizes PRIDE’s ability and talent to advance both the suppliers’ and dealers’ brand story, immerse the end-user in the appropriate product experience, and to continuously improve those synergies.”

The meeting also unveiled PRIDE’s 2016-17 board of directors and included awards presentations. Nine members comprise the board:

• Demetre Selevredes II, Federal Supply USA (President);

• David Castino, Castino Restaurant Supply (Vice President),

• Jim Strickler, American Energy Restaurant Equipment (Treasurer);

Ellison Berlin, Berlin’s Restaurant Supply; Tod Firotto, San Diego Restaurant Supply; Rudy Ourso, Cayard’s Inc.; Ryan Richard, Richard’s Restaurant Supply; Seth Rosborough, 1st Choice Restaurant Equipment & Supply; and Gary Thiakos, Zepole Restaurant Supply.

Eight awards were presented:

• Shareholder Team Choice: Berlin’s Restaurant Supply

• Supplier Team Choice: Pitco/Middleby

• Core Value awards went to Paul Angrick, The Middleby Cos. (Integrity); Gary Thiakos, Zepole Restaurant Supply (Accountability); David Greene, Greene Technologies (Innovation); Chris Jones, Food Equipment Co. (Passion); and Bethany Trombley, Blodgett/Middleby (Respectfulness).

A new, PRIDE Centric Award, created to honor a member embodying all of PRIDE’s core values, was given to PRIDE President Demetre Selevredes II for his insight, tenacity in the face of great opposition, integrity, and deep passion for the success of the group.