CHICAGO, U.S. – Ken Shea, President of Ken Shea & Associates and V.P. of Coffee Service for G&J Marketing and Sales, has been named the association’s 2017 Coffee Legend.
Ken will be recognized for his contributions to the coffee service industry over his nearly four-decade career at the 2017 Coffee, Tea and Water Show on Monday, November 6, during the Opening Session at 1pm.
“An industry veteran of almost 40 years, Ken has made a major impact working in every facet of convenience services, as a distributor, manufacturer, operator, broker and a consultant,” said Stu Case, Chair of NAMA’s Coffee Services Committee.
“For his leadership, his passion for advancing coffee services and his commitment to helping his industry colleagues, we are delighted to honor Ken as this year’s Coffee Legend.”
In the 80’s he served as President of Flowers Distributing and COO of Servatron, before transitioning to an operator. In the 1990’s, Ken was V.P. of Operations for Standard Coffee Service, one of the nation’s largest coffee service companies.
After ten years he left the operator side to serve as President of Newco Enterprises for two years.
These varied experiences prepared him to establish Ken Shea & Associates, a consulting and master brokerage business. Ken returned to Standard Coffee Service as V.P. of Field Operations for seven additional years, including three as V.P. of Coffee Development for DS Services, which acquired Standard. During this time, he also served two terms on NAMA’s Board of Directors.
Ken re-established his consulting business in 2014 and currently supports G&J Marketing and Sales as V.P. of Coffee Service. He penned a Coffee Service column for Ben Ginsberg’s Vending & OCS magazine for many years and is now a columnist for CoffeeTalk.
Ken’s accolades include being named the 1988 Southern Coffee Break Association’s Supplier of the Year and NAMA’s 2012 Coffee Service Operator of the Year. He was inducted into the NAMA Coffee Service Hall of Fame at CTW 2016.
About the Coffee Legend
A NAMA Coffee Legend is a pioneer, an innovator, a leader and a visionary in the industry who is passionate about coffee and willing to share their passion to educate and help others succeed. The 2017 NAMA Coffee Legend Award will be presented during the Opening Session on Monday, November 6.
About CTW
NAMA’s Coffee Tea and Water Show is the largest event dedicated to the $4.25 billion U.S. coffee services industry. Register today at www.coffeeteaandwater.org.
About NAMA
Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $25 billion U.S. convenience services industry. With more than 1100 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands.
