Awards

JAY B. SILVERSTEIN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
The Jay B. Silverstein Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a lifetime of contributions and service to the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry.  

2024
Tony Kaszuba

2023
Barbara Kane

2022
Jerry White

2021
Mike Johnston

2020 
Tom Newcomb

2019
Betsy Kline

2018
Tracy Kelly

2017
Mark Bickford

2016
Jay Leyden

2015
Rick Postiglione

2014
John Lawn

2013
Ron Ehrhardt, FMP

2012
Jay B. Silverstein

2011
Kent Bain

2010
Dick Hynes

2009
Debi Benedetti

2008
Mary F. Hofer

2007
Amy Greenberg

2006
Richard Cattani

2005
Thomas F. Lackmann

2004
Phillip Cooke

2003
Ken Lapin

2002
Julie Flik

2001
Dick Hardin

2000
Richard Kresky

1999
Rudiger Flik

1998
Beryl Yuhas

1997
Gus Gregory

1996
Larry Appleton

1995
Don Follett

1994
Gary Gunderson

1993
No Award Given

1992
Pat Habermeyer

1991
Michael Barclay

1990
Neil S. Reyer

1989
Richard Ysmael

1988
Gordon B. Parker (posthumously)

1987
Erving Jensen

1986
Herbert Trumbore

---

PRESIDENT'S AWARD RECIPIENTS
The President’s Award is bestowed upon an individual who has been instrumental in the career of the President, assisted the President throughout his or her term or has served the organization as a whole and dedicated his or her time to betterment of SFM.

2024
Amanda Beni

2023
Midgie Cajayon

President’s Outstanding Service Awards:       
Justin Drew
Justin Williams

2022
Jenna Calhoun
Davin Wickstrom

2021
Jeff Becker 
Bob Kloeckner, National Local Committee Chair 
Amy Lewis, Membership Marketing Committee Chair 
Michael Moore, Membership Marketing Sub-Committee Chair 
Amy Bendekovits-Franks, Membership Engagement Sub-Committee Chair 
Edward Lo, Membership Recruitment Sub-Committee Chair 
Raquel Weiss Fusco, Industry Advisor Board and Branding Awareness Committee Chair 
Sumi DeBenedittis, Diversity and Inclusion Council Chair 
Victoria Vega, Diversity and Inclusion Council Co-Chair 
Danielle Pedersen, Rising Star Chair and Diversity and Inclusion Council Community Sub-Group Co-Chair 
Ben Anderson, Diversity and Inclusion Council Community Sub-Group Co-Chair 
Zee Moussa, Diversity and Inclusion Council Knowledge Sub-Group Co-Chair 
Jessica Tantin, Diversity and Inclusion Council Knowledge Sub-Group Co-Chair 
Bobbi Capps, Diversity and Inclusion Council People/Leadership Sub-Group Co-Chair 
Matthew Smythe, Diversity and Inclusion Council People/Leadership Sub-Group Co-Chair 
Jeanine Cosgrove-Albert, SHFM Foundation Chair 

2020
RJ Bianculli
Sumi DeBenedittis
Susannah Ryan

2019
Linda Femling
Rob Gordon

2018
Bill Adams
Jay Silverstein

2017
Charlene Goff
Barbara Kane
Peg Plaut

2016
Tony Butler
Ronald V. Ehrhardt, FMP
Barbara Kane
Mark Maloney

2015
Diane Gallagher

2014
Sharon Eliatamby

2013
Steve Follett

2012
Tony Butler

2011        
Ronald V. Ehrhardt, FMP
Tony Kaszuba
Kathy Sanders

2010        
Barbara Kane

2009        
Rick Postiglione

2008        
Ronald V. Ehrhardt, FMP

2007        
Debi Benedetti
Charlene Goff

2006        
Gary Gunderson

2005        
Kathy Sanders

2004        
Mary Hofer
Christine Dozal
Tony Butler

2003        
Susan Schnieder
Peg Plaut

2002        
Team from Whitson’s

2001        
Lary Ellstein

2000    
Debi Benedetti

1999    
Scott Davis
Greg Jewell

1998        
No award given

1997        
Team from Bon Appetit Management Company

1996        
Phillip Cooke

1995        
Neil Reyer
Ed Sirhal

1994        
No award given

1993        
Richard Grund

1992        
Anita Brown
Nan Dickson
Janice Lavey
Gene Procopio

1991        
Ira Kaplan
Doris Melzarek

1990        
John McArdle
Beryl Yuhas

1989        
Hank Miller

1988        
No award given

1987        
Steve Hammel        

1986        
Charles Speller

1985        
Steve Hammel

1984          
Craig Smith

1983        
Don Follett

1982        
Marty Cherneff

1981        
Brian Gilligan 

---

RICHARD YSMAEL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
The Richard Ysmael Distinguished Service Award is given in his memory and reflects how he lived and delivered his philosophy of life in the best and most challenging moments of his career and personal life. Richard was a founding member of the Society, and his dedication, leadership, and integrity throughout his career continue to inspire not only the Society’s membership but foodservice professionals in all facets of our industry. This Award recognizes an individual who has been diligent in service to corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality and who has consistently demonstrated the ideals of dedication, integrity, professionalism and leadership to the Society and to which Richard aspired.

2024
Sharon Eliatamby

2023
Damian Monticello

2022
Shayne Varnum

2021
Rob Gordon

2020
Barbara Kane

2019
Rick Postiglione

2018
Bernadette Ventura

2017
Russ Benson

2016
Mark Freeman

2015
Carol Bracken-Tilley

2014
Victoria Vega

2013
Kathy Sanders

2012
Gary Crompton

2011        
Tom Newcomb

2010        
Jay B. Silverstein

2009        
Gerald White

2008        
Steven R. Follett

2007        
Ronald V. Ehrhardt, FMP

2006        
Debi Benedetti

2005        
Robert Pacifico

2004        
Neil S. Reyer

2003        
Pat Burke

2002        
Anita Brown

2001        
Richard Ysmael    

---

BOB PACIFICO ABOVE & BEYOND AWARD RECIPIENTS
The Pacifico Award is given to a deserving Associate Member in recognition of extended, exemplary and dedicated service to the Society, his or her community and the onsite foodservice industry.

2024
Russ Benson

2023 
Bob Kloeckner

2022 
Jeanine Cosgrove-Albert

2021 
Frank LaRusso
Davin Wickstrom

2020 
No Award Given

2019
Tom Newcomb

2018
Rob Geile

2017
Shayne Varnum

2016
Ted Farrand

2015
Sumi DeBenedittis

2014
Eric Von Kaenel

2013
Barbara Kane

2012
Mike Johnston

2011            
Gerald White

2010            
Charlene Goff

2009            
Scott Siers

2008            
Dick Hynes

2007            
Rod Collins 

---

RISING YOUNG PROFESSIONAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
The Rising Young Professional Award recognizes an emerging individual who has been a stand out among our newest members, supporting the initiatives of the Society through his or her active engagement and participation in SHFM committees and activities. Through his or her actions and career trajectory, this recipient is poised to be a future leader in the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry, as well as the Society.

2024
Brad Silverstein

2023
Kelly Meadows
Ricky Postiglione

2022
Michael Moore

2021
Amy Bendekovits-Franks

2020
Jenna Calhoun

2019
Rob Yayac

2018
Raquel Weiss-Fusco

---

DIRECTOR'S AWARD RECIPIENTS
The Community Service Award is given to the SHFM Member that has gone above and beyond to help support the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry, as well as their local community. The Spirit Award is presented to an individual who consistently demonstrates the qualities of loyalty, dedication and enthusiasm for the Society. The Leadership Award recognizes an individual whose work on behalf of SHFM and the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry has resulted in the demonstration of outstanding leadership qualities. 

2024
Mboone Umbima, Community Service Award
Sandy Lim Edwards, Spirit Award
Davin Wickstrom, Leadership Award

2023
Amy Franks, Community Service Award
Matt Rigney, Spirit Award
Rob Gebhardt, Leadership Award

2022
Marti Gorum, Community Service Award
Jenna Calhoun, Spirit Award
Sharon Eliatamby, Leadership Award

2021
Danielle Pedersen, Community Service Award
Justin Drew, Spirit Award
Amy Bendekovits-Franks, Rising Young Professional Award
Jeanine Cosgrove-Alberts, Leadership Award

2020
Zee Moussa, Community Service Award
Davin Wickstrom, Spirit Award
Jenna Calhoun, Rising Young Professional Award
Rob Gordon, Leadership Award

2019
Jay Silverstein, Community Service Award (Posthumously awarded in honor of the Silverstein family)
Russ Benson, Spirit Award
Rob Yayac, Rising Young Professional Award
Guido Boers, Leadership Award

2018
Frank LaRusso, Community Service Award
Shayla Martin, Spirit Award
Raquel Weiss Fusco, Rising Young Professional Award
Sumi DeBenedittis, Leadership Award

2017
Carolyn Milea, Community Service Award
Karen DiPeri, Spirit Award
Heather Leanna, Leadership Award

2016
Mike Johnston, Community Service Award
Jeanine Cosgrove-Albert, Spirit Award
Melanie Marken, Leadership Award

2015
Sally Minier, Community Service Award
Wendy Powell, Spirit Award
Charlene Goff, Leadership Award

2014
Marcia Austero, Community Service Award
Nahum Goldberg, Spirit Award
Tod Nissle, Spirit Award
Chris Ivens-Brown, Leadership Award

2013
Dick Hynes, Community Service Award
Genevieve Stona, Spirit Award
Barbara Kane, Leadership Award

2012
Dan McCaffrey, Community Service Award
Holly Von Seggern, Spirit Award
Ira Kaplan, Leadership Award

2011        
Damian Monticello, Spirit Award
Andrew Shakman, Leadership Award

2010        
Steve Norgren, Spirit Award
Industry Advisory Board, Community Service Award
Bernadette Ventura, Leadership Award

2009        
Sumi DeBenedittis, Spirit Award
Ron Tremper, Community Service Award
Tracy Kelly, Leadership Award

2008        
Hollie Wooldridge, Spirit Award
Thomas D. Newcomb, Leadership Award

2007        
Margaret Stefanek, Spirit Award
Ruediger J. Flik, Leadership Award

2006        
Sandy Smith, Spirit Award
Owen Moore, Leadership Award

2005        
Maria Morabito, Spirit Award
Victoria Vega, Spirit Award
Amy Greenberg, Leadership Award
Jay B. Silverstein, Leadership Award

2004        
Michael Sweet, Spirit Award
Gary Wingard, Spirit Award
Ruediger Flik, Community Service Award
Dick Hynes, Leadership Award

2003        
Ed Daniels, Spirit Award
Gayle Swain, Spirit Award
Mark Maloney, Community Service Award
Carol Bracken Tilley, Leadership Award

2002        
Laura Lozano, Spirit Award
Christine Dozal, Spirit Award
Bernie Brewster, Community Service Award
Char Norton, Leadership Award

2001        
Blake Swihart, Spirit Award
Dan Cramer, Community Service Award
Ed Sirhal, Leadership Award

2000        
David Magill, Spirit Award
Steve Follett, Spirit Award
Pat Burke, Community Service Award
John Zillmer, Leadership Award

1999        
Rod Collins, Spirit Award
Sam Taffet, Community Service Award
Jerry White, Leadership Award

1998    
David Davidson, Spirit Award
Elliot Katz/Ira Kaplan, Community Service Award
Dick Kresky, Leadership Award

1997        
Jerry White, Spirit Award
Matt Merson, Community Service Award
Lisa Hennefarth, Rising Star Award
Richard Ysmael, Leadership Award

1996        
Jan Feinberg/Lauren Hogan, Spirit Award
Joseph Pert/Mitch Schechter, Community Service Award
Curtis Lease, Rising Star Award
Rudiger Flik, Leadership Award

1995        
Patricia Burke, Spirit Award
Joseph Fleming, Community Service Award
Mary Hofer, Special Achievement Award
Thomas Lackmann, Leadership Award

1994        
Lary Ellstein, Spirit Award
Patty Guist, Community Service Award
Glenwood Davis, Rising Star Award

1993        
Julie Barber, Spirit Award
David Schrader, Spirit Award
Sue Deyo, Community Service Award
Vince Feehan, Member Achievement Award

1992        
Nora Lyons, Community Service Award
David Hatch, Member Achievement Award
Richard Ysmael, International Representation
Beryl Yuhas, International Representation

1991        
Robert Kilgore, Community Service Award
Sally Luck, Community Service Award
Debi Benedetti, Member Achievement Award
Prescott Slee, Association Representation

1990        
Kathy Elderton
David Magill

1989        
No awards given

1988        
Lenora Bowen
Joseph DeScenza
Susan Deyo
Roger King
David Tucker
Beryl Yuhas

---

INNOVATION SHOWCASE AWARD RECIPIENTS
SHFM recognizes Innovation Showcase exhibitors with the Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Product or Service and Most Sustainable Forward-Thinking Exhibit. Winning companies were selected by a juried panel as well as conference attendees.

2024
Best of Show, selected by a Juried Panel

• Botrista - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Product or Service
• Change Please Coffee - Most Sustainable Forward-Thinking Table Display

People Choice, selected by SHFM Conference Attendees 

• elite | studio e - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Product or Service
• Beyond Meat - Most Sustainable Forward-Thinking Table Display

2023
Best of Show, selected by a Juried Panel

• Just Baked - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Product or Service
• NCCO - Most Sustainable Forward-Thinking Table Display

People Choice, selected by SHFM Conference Attendees 

• Nutrislice - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Product or Service
• Nutrislice - Most Sustainable Forward-Thinking Table Display

2022
Best of Show, selected by a Juried Panel

• Unisyn, Inc. - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Product or Service
• The Foodware Group - Most Sustainable Forward-Thinking Table Display

People Choice, selected by SHFM Conference Attendees

• PepsiCo, Inc. - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Product or Service
• Nutrislice - Most Sustainable Forward-Thinking Table Display

2021
Best of Show, selected by a Juried Panel

• Mashgin - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Product or Service
• Deep River Snacks - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Exhibit

People Choice, selected by SHFM Conference Attendees 

• Evanesce - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Product or Service
• Nutrislice - Most Innovative or Forward-Thinking Exhibit

---

HUNGER GAMES HALL OF FAME  AWARD RECIPIENTS
SHFM and the SHFM Foundation recognizes the enormous contributions to the success of the SHFM Hunger Games though our Hunger Games Hall of Fame.

2024
No Award Given

2023
Charlene Goff

2022
Bob McNamara

2021
Sarah Kolze

2020
Mike Johnston and Shayne Varnum

2019
No Award Given

2018
Eric Von Kaenel