Recognition, Awards, and Service
At Greenwald Sales & Marketing, our commitment to the foodservice industry isn’t just measured in numbers — it’s reflected in the relationships we’ve built, the manufacturers we represent, and the recognition we’ve earned along the way. Here is a look at the honors that mark our journey.
INDUSTRY HONORS | The Highest Distinctions
MAFSI — Ed Gregory Marketing Excellence Award, 2026 — Awarded to Greenwald Sales & Marketing in recognition of outstanding efforts in social communication of products and services through innovative means and marketing while influencing the advancement of the industry.
MAFSI — Rep Rising Star Award, 2024 — Awarded to Kate Pennington as a rising leader in the Rep Industry, as a person who reflects growth and dedication.
MAFSI — Tony Award, 2022 — Presented to Melissa Greenwald in appreciation for consistently performing and demonstrating sincere effort and leadership to the welfare and progress of MAFSI and the position of the manufacturers’ representative function in the foodservice industry. This is MAFSI’s highest honor. Melissa was the first female to win this award and also the first person to win it who was not a former MAFSI President.
FE&S — Top Achievers, Manufacturers Rep, 2022 — Named a Top Achiever in the Manufacturers Rep category by Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine, Melissa Greenwald received this recognition by one of the industry’s most respected industry publications. It is one of the top awards a manufacturer’s representative can receive during their career.
FE&S — Tabletop Performance Award, 2019 — Chuck Kiley was awarded first place by FE&S for outstanding performance in the banquet and catering category for his installation at the Ritz Carlton in Cleveland, Ohio.
FE&S — Tabletop Performance Award, 2017 — Melissa Greenwald was awarded first place by FE&S for outstanding performance in the banquet and catering category for her installation at The Grand Event Center in Grandview Heights, Ohio.
MAFSI — Special Achievement Award, 2016 — Presented to Melissa Greenwald, honoring agent members for their leadership and contributions to the success of their local chapters for her work with Mid-America MAFSI for many years.
FE&S — Tabletop Performance Award, 2013 — Melissa Greenwald was recognized by FE&S for outstanding performance in the independent restaurant category with a per-person check average of less than $30 for her installation with Cedar Creek Grille in Beachwood, Ohio.
FE&S — Tabletop Performance Award, 2008 — Melissa Greenwald was recognized by FE&S for outstanding performance in the independent restaurant category with a per-person check average of less than $30 for her installation at Kobe in Columbus, Ohio — an early marker of the expertise that continues to define our work today .
MANUFACTURER RECOGNITION | Partnerships Built on Performance
TableCraft — Rep of the Year, 2025 — Named Northeast Rep of the Year by TableCraft, recognizing outstanding partnership, advocacy, and sales performance on behalf of the brand, as well as exceeding budget in three categories: overall sales, Professional Bakeware sales and new product sales.
Waring Products — The Golden Shaft Award, 2025 — Received for outselling all other sales representatives for the new product launch of Waring’s Evolution X immersion blender line.
Mercer Culinary — Independent Sales Representative Group of the Year, 2024 — Named Independent Sales Representative Group of the Year by Mercer Culinary, honoring our role as a top-performing partner in 2024.
Front of the House — Million Dollar Club, 2023 — Inducted into the Front of the House Million Dollar Club for achieving top-tier sales volume.
Front of the House — People’s Choice, 2022 — Honored with the People’s Choice Award from Front of the House, reflecting the strength of our relationships with our manufacturer partners.
Front of the House — Sales Budget Achievement, 2022 — Recognized for exceeding sales budget targets, demonstrating consistent execution and market growth.
Bauscher Hepp — Exceeding Sales Plan, 2019, 2018 — Consecutive years of exceeding Bauscher Hepp’s sales plan across multiple territories, including Michigan, reflecting disciplined market development and deep customer relationships.
TableCraft — Sales Rep Group of the Year Runner-Up, 2018 — Recognized as runner-up for Sales Rep Group of the Year, reflecting strong performance and a growing partnership with the brand.
Waring Products — Celebrating Excellence Award, May 2018 — Granted to Greenwald Sales & Marketing to celebrate their third-place success and excellence within the territory.
PRESS PUBLICATIONS | Talk of the Town
FE&S — Featured Installation, June 2025 — Melissa Greenwald was featured in an article discussing the current state of the foodservice industry. The article, “State of Manufacturers Representatives,” discussed the effects of consolidation and rising food costs, tabletop prices, tariffs, and more.
MAFSI Messenger, July 2023 — Featured Article by Melissa Greenwald, Ask Allison: Industry Issues— “How Do I Motivate My Reps?”
MAFSI Messenger, October 2023 — Featured Article by Melissa Greenwald, “The Top Five Reasons to Attend MAFSI 2024 This January.”
FER — Featured Installation, March 2023 — Melissa Greenwald was highlighted as one of the Top Five Leading Women in Foodservice.
FE&S — Featured Installation, August 2022 — Greenwald Sales & Marketing was spotlighted in a featured installation story in FE&S Magazine, “Creating Tabletop Art,” highlighting a standout project that demonstrated the range and quality of our manufacturer partnerships. Margie Gaunt’s beautiful tabletop installation is the featured image on the front cover of the edition.
FER — Top Women in Foodservice, September 2020 — Melissa Greenwald was named a Top Woman in Foodservice by Foodservice Equipment Reports, recognizing her leadership, influence, and impact on the industry.
MANA — Featured Article, March 2014 — Melissa Greenwald was published in MANA discussing the topic of “Why Manufacturers Use Outsourced Agencies.”
FE&S, July 2012, Featured Article — Melissa Greenwald was interviewed on the importance of the Changing Role of the Manufacturers’ Rep within her local MAFSI region 7. It is a follow up to her presentation at the MAFSI Conference for utilizing technology to enhance sales efficiencies.
FE&S, 2011 — Future Leaders — Melissa Greenwald was recognized as a Future Leader in Foodservice by FE&S Magazine and featured a career-focused interview.
DEALER AWARD | Customer Recognition
TAKKT — Smallwares Representative of the Year Runner Up, 2026 — Some recognition is about more than industry accolades — it’s about the people who show up every day and make this work possible. Awarded to Margie Gaunt, Smallwares Representative of the Year Runner Up from TAKKT celebrates exactly what defines our team from the inside out: dedication, heart, and spirit.
TAKKT — The Smallwares Rep Group of the Year Runner Up, 2025 —The significance of this honor extends beyond the recognition itself—it speaks to the strength of the people and partnerships behind it. Awarded to Margie Gaunt and Leslie Rife, The Sales Rep Group of the Year Runner Up from TAKKT celebrates exactly what defines our team from the inside out: dedication, heart, and spirit.
INDUSTRY SERVICE | Giving Back to the Foodservice World
MAFSI National Board of Directors – Chuck Kiley, Committee Co-Chair, Conference Committee 2026-2028
MAFSI National Board of Directors – Chuck Kiley, Committee Co-Chair Rep Firm of the Future 2022-2026
MAFSI National Board of Directors – Melissa Greenwald, Committee Co-Chair Membership and Marketing 2011-2024
Mid-America MAFSI Scholarship Committee – Chuck Kiley 2009-2014
Mid-America MAFSI Golf Outing Committee – Melissa Greenwald 2006-2013
Mid America MAFSI Treasurer – Melissa Greenwald 2007-Current
Greenwald Sales & Marketing, LLC has proudly represented the foodservice industry’s finest manufacturers. These awards reflect not just our performance, but our people and the incredible intentionality they have put into the industry, and how the industry has blessed their hard work with precious recognition.