By FES Staff—Foodservice Equipment & Supplies

In front of a capacity crowd of more than 340 foodservice professionals, FE&S named Zena Dater of Oswalt Restaurant Supply in Oklahoma City, its 2008 DSR of the Year. Dater accepted the award during FE&S’ annual Dealer of the Year & Industry Awards Gala at the Chicago Four Seasons Hotel.

Since joining Oswalt more than 12 years ago, Dater has watched her sales climb steadily and they should approach $8 million this year. Prior to joining Oswalt, Dater spent more than two decades working in the restaurant industry on the operator side.

“Zena’s product knowledge, passion and ability to treat all customers with the same level of respect, regardless of their size, has helped fuel her impressive growth,” said Brian Schilling, FE&S’ publisher. “And thanks to Zena’s efforts with the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, her track record of giving back to the local restaurant community she serves is exemplary.”

Also making headlines during the evening was Tacoma, Wash.-based Bargreen Ellingson, which was recognized as FE&S’ 28th Dealer of the Year; and Rodney Wasserstrom of The Wasserstrom Co., who earned the magazine’s Hall of Fame Award.

Other individuals receiving awards include:

• Top Achiever-Dealers: Paul Watts of Associated Food Equipment & Supplies Inc., Gulfport, Miss.; and Loubat Equipment Co., New Orleans
• Top Achiever-Consultant: Michael Johnson, Culinary Design Center LLC, Atlanta
• Top Achiever-Service Agent: John Swanson, Bildon Parts and Service Inc., Livonia, Mich.
• Top Achiever-Manufacturers’ Rep: Jeffery Couch, PMG, Van Nuys, Calif.
• Facility Design Project of the Year: John Egnor of JEM Associates for his design of Harrah’s Waterfront Buffet, Atlantic City, N.J.