About IFE Marketing
The IFE Group was established in 2000 to become the premier dealer on the institutional side of the food service equipment and supplies sector. In January 2003, IFE Marketing was conceived to handle the GSA schedule 73 foodservice equipment and supplies contract, along with installation and other related services that we offer to our Federal Government buyers.
IFE Marketing has grown substantially over the last twenty years to become the highest quality, most responsive Federal Government contractor of foodservice equipment, supplies and installation services in the industry. Our team offers our Federal Government buyers over 75 years of combined experience. As a company which manages over 85 GSA approved manufacturers, IFE has completed thousands of projects both domestically and worldwide. IFE Marketing also offers its services to other Government agencies, including State, County, Municipal and City buyers.
IFE Marketing’s high level of experience, professionalism and our excellent track record of success in completing a diverse group of food service equipment projects worldwide, ensures that we will complete your project on a timely basis and on budget. We thank all of our loyal clients over the last fifteen years and look forward to continuing our mission of providing the Government market with the highest level of service in the industry.
Team
Michael Benson – President; Encinitas, California
After graduating from Providence College in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Michael began his career with Consolidated Freightways in Portland, Oregon where he worked between 1986 and 1989. He also worked for APA Transport in North Bergen, New Jersey between 1989 and 1991 as a sales executive. Here, he gained an insider’s understanding of how to ship products efficiently by truck, air, sea and rail. He learned how to find the best rates and the best delivery time frames, as well as how to identify potential delivery problems and other unanticipated events before they affected customers. This experience now serves IFE Marketing by allowing the coordination of realistic, efficient delivery times at the best rates from manufacturers to government customers.
In 1992, Michael was hired by Design Specialties, Inc., of Hamden, Connecticut. They recognized his transportation abilities and saw in him the ability to improve the service they gave to their customers and appointed him as their West Coast Regional Sales Manager. Design Specialties manufactures tray systems and small wares for the Institutional Food service industry and Michael was tasked with improving business with county jails, state prisons and federal prisons. He spent eight years in the field interacting with end users, packaging equipment and services; working together to meet their food service equipment needs. During this time he was able to substantially increase the company’s government sales and build long-lasting relationships in the industry.
In 2000, Michael formed the IFE Group as an independent representative company to specialize in institutional food service equipment sales and services. Because of his experience at Design Specialties, Inc., he was able to recognize his clients’ needs and address them on a customer-by-customer basis. Unlike his competitors who treated all food service equipment buyers as if they were restaurants, IFE improved the quality of service their customers received by addressing their specific circumstances and unique needs. At the urging of several food service administrators in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, IFE pursued and was awarded a GSA Contract in 2003. In the years since receiving this contract, Michael has greatly increased IFE’s business with federal buyers because of his recognition of their unique needs. IFE is now recognized as one of the top food service equipment contractors by Federal Government Food Service Equipment buyers domestically and worldwide.
Misty Perinne – Sales Manager; Houston, Texas
Since graduating from Texas Tech University in 2001, Misty has been employed in the Food Service Equipment industry. She has worked in GSA food service equipment sales as the Key Accounts Manager for a marketing company holding multiple GSA contracts. She has been with IFE Marketing since 2003. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States developing customer relationships as well as introducing food service equipment products and services to government customers. Misty has worked on a large number of diverse projects and offers strong knowledge in all aspects and elements of the food service equipment industry. She has initiated new GSA contracts and identified new products to meet government customer needs. Misty has coordinated numerous large projects and the installation of equipment, working directly with installers and government facility personnel. She provides her expertise in specifications and installations in all styles of customer applications. Misty’s current sales territory is the central part of the United States, South America and Europe.
Tanguy Perinne – Director of Operations; Houston, Texas
Tanguy has been employed in the Foodservice Equipment industry since 1997. Beginning with a position in inside sales for a marketing company holding multiple GSA contracts, he developed a solid product knowledge foundation and created key relationships within the industry and his customer base. In 2003, Tanguy decided to take an advancement opportunity with a manufacturer as Director of Sales at CounterCraft Kitchen Equipment Fabricating Company (Houston, TX). Over the course of nine years, he was a key component of creating and developing a new brand of custom serving lines under the new CounterCraft name. This position allowed him to expand relationships on the manufacturing side of the industry as well as working closely with top Foodservice consultants and Manufacturer’s Representatives across the country. Upon his departure in 2012, the company had achieved a solid presence in the industry as the premier fabricator of high quality custom serving counters.
Returning to government sales, Tanguy has been with IFE Marketing since early 2012 as the Eastern Regional Sales Manager. Bringing 20 years of foodservice equipment experience with him and in depth knowledge of multiple sides of the industry, he has strengthened his Eastern Region sales territory contributing to the continuing growth of IFE Marketing. Doubling as the company’s ‘Serving Line Specialist’ he has been able to expand the company’s involvement in this market segment and creating new business. With a strong orientation towards quality customer service, Tanguy is able to use his knowledge and experience to address every need of the government’s contracting officers, contract specialists, and end users.
Sally Roberts – CFO; Encinitas, California
Sally Roberts is a Big 4 CPA with over 25 years of financial services experience. Sally has held various financial positions, including CFO roles, Divisional CFO for MGM and as a business manager for high-profile entertainment clients. She has extensive experience integrating systems and processes for acquisitions and turnarounds.
Sally practiced as a CPA at KPMG in their Information, Communications and Entertainment (ICE) Group in Century City, California. She has held board positions with CASA OC, and actively serves on the board of EarthIndex Inc, Financial Executives International and GoMeyra Corporation. Sally received a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Miami, with a major in accounting.
David Rubalcava – Accounting | Sales Support; Encinitas, California