PAUL EGBERT MICHAEL SCHEIMAN PJ PATTON
Sam Tell Companies Sam Tell Companies, a distributor based in New York, has expanded its national sales team with the additions of industry veterans PJ Patton and Michael Scheiman as director and managing director of its newly established Northern California offi ce. With more than 50 years of combined industry experience, Patton and Scheiman will spearhead Sam Tell’s sales expansion, focusing on driving growth in the Northern California market while also enhancing the company’s national and global reach. “We are thrilled to
welcome PJ and Michael to Sam Tell, both of whom bring unmatched industry expertise and a proven track record in driving growth,” Chief Commercial Offi cer Heather Kogan said. “Their leadership will be pivotal as we continue to expand into new markets and elevate the value we provide to our customers.” Patton brings a wealth of experience in design, construction and operations to the dealer, having worked across both the hospitality and residential sectors. A former vice president of construction for a national distributor, Patton will focus on driving Sam Tell’s growth into new
markets by leveraging her ability to build strong teams, streamline operations and deliver exceptional results for clients across the region, the company said.
Scheiman comes from a rich culinary background, having spent 15 years as a chef in Michelin-starred establishments before transitioning to the design/ build sector. As vice president of business development and design at a leading national distributor, Scheiman helped expand operations signifi cantly. He will now lead Sam Tell’s efforts to further strengthen its presence in the design/build market and expand its robust practice.
Vollrath After more than 18 years with The Vollrath Company, Vice President of Product and Market Strategy Paul Egbert is headed toward retirement. Stepping into Egbert’s
role is Jon Ropella, who has been appointed vice president of strategy and product management. Ropella and Egbert will work closely in the coming months to ensure a seamless transition, the company said.
As part of this transition, Ropella will assume leadership of the product management team while continuing his responsibilities in strategy
JON ROPELLA
and corporate development. His expanded role will focus on driving Vollrath’s strategic growth initiatives, ensuring alignment with evolving market demands and delivering innovative solutions to customers.
“With his strategic and collaboration-focused mindset and extensive experience, Jon is well-positioned to lead our product and market strategy efforts,” said Brian Hedlund, senior vice president of Vollrath foodservice. “We are confi dent that his leadership will advance our mission to provide innovative solutions to the foodservice industry while maintaining our strong market position.”
Ropella has been serving as senior director of strategy and business development at Vollrath since 2023. Before joining the Wisconsin-based FEDA manufacturer member, he held key strategic roles at Oshkosh Corp., leading mergers and acquisitions, business development and strategic planning initiatives. Egbert has played a pivotal
role in shaping Vollrath’s product and market strategy, spearheading new product development and marketing initiatives that have fueled the company’s profi table growth, Vollrath said. Throughout his tenure, he transitioned from leading product
KOREY BROWNLEE
management and marketing communications to overseeing broader business development efforts, ultimately driving Vollrath’s strategic product direction.
Welbilt Welbilt, a part of Ali Group, has promoted Korey Brownlee to general manager of Beverage-Air and Victory Refrigeration. In this role, he will report directly to Welbilt Group President Oscar Villa. Brownlee joined the Beverage-Air and Victory procurement team in April 2018 as a senior buyer. In June 2019, he was promoted to purchasing manager, before eventually being named director of operations in September 2022 and vice president of operations in July 2024.
Ali Group Chairman and CEO Filippo Berti credited Brownlee’s leadership with driving continuous operational improvements and fostering a culture of excellence. “Korey’s extensive experience across procurement, supply chain and operations has given him a comprehensive understanding of our business,” Berti said. “I am confi dent that his leadership style and execution skills will drive continued growth and success for both Beverage-Air and Victory Refrigeration.”
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