Allied Member Council
What is the FRLA Allied Member Council?
The Allied Member Council is composed of an elite group of allied members that serves as an advisory council to the FRLA Board of Directors. All AMC members have been selected by the Chairman of the FRLA and the VP of Corporate Relations to represent the allied members of the association. Council members are invited to attend all FRLA Board Meetings (3 per year) and must attend 2 to remain a member. Membership on the Council allows for maximum interaction with board members.
Allied Member Council (2008)
Bottom: From Left to Right: Becky Black, SPI; Tom Cleary, Sihle Insurance; Mike Birnbaum, Alessi Bakeries; Jill Fishman, Edy’s; Susan Brooks, American Express; Angela Barber, Theodore Barber & Co; Al Gardner, A&L Associates; Shelly Siceloff, FRLA; Lisa Burrows, Quantified Marketing Group; Ron Mathews, Reed Exhibitions
Second Row: From Left to Right: Paul Knapp, Fiberbuilt Umbrellas; Bob Milliken, New England Coffee; Andre Calvo, Infinite Energy; Cleve Murphy, BMI; Jason Fialkoff, CustomTakeoutBags.com; Jeff Ryan, Brown-Forman; Casey Missert, Coca-Cola; Harry Price, Coca-Cola; Jim Gray, Heartland Payment Systems
Top Row: From Left to Right: George Black, SPI; Jerry Everett, AmeriGas; Diedre Spivey, AmeriGas; Kyle Hudgins, AmeriGas; Lance Franscell, AmeriGas; Jason Downy, Ozone Solutions; Jim Clark, Pinnacle Hospitality Systems
Not Pictured:
Marilyn Arnall - Florida Power & Light
Charles Bain - Total Energy Concepts
Jordan Beckner - Fiberbuilt Umbrellas
Mike Birnbaum - Alessi Bakeries
John Bledsoe - FHM Insurance Company
Jeff Brown - Smoke Goddess
Andre Calvo - Infinite Energy
Vince Cardella - Total Energy Concepts
Tony Davenport - Restaurant Programs of America
Bob Drago - Island Oasis
Jonathan Dunford – SYSCO
Roger Earnheart - Hormel Foods
Howard Fulton - American Express
Joe Gabriel - Fishbowl Marketing
Brad Gamble - Infinite Energy
Jim Gitter - Republic National Distributing Company
Tom Hayes - AmeriGas
Stephen Hutcherson - Heineken USA
Jacqui Lefler - Heartland Payment Systems
Muirgheal Montecalvo - Fishbowl Marketing
Bill Morgan - Sequensant
Keith Overton - Tradewinds Island Resorts
Neal Slocum - Velda Farms Dairy
Steve Willis - Nuco
Why Our Allied Members Serve on the Council
"We love working with the AMC. By getting involved on the council and attending the great networking opportunities like chapter and board meetings, golf tournaments and the Show Gala, Infinite has made valuable connections. We have been able to share ideas with other suppliers, and find different ways to support and help the hospitality industry and the FRLA, which benefits everyone!” –Andre Calvo, Infinite Energy
“FHM Insurance Company has been very pleased with our partnership and endorsement from FRLA. I can’t imagine two entities that could have their interests more aligned, serving Florida’s Restaurant and Lodging Industry. Joining the AMC has added to the benefits that we get from our participation. We now have a voice and an ear to the Hospitality Industry. “– John Bledsoe, FHM Insurance Services
"I have been involved in the FRLA Allied Member Council for many years. it is a great way to give back to the industry that supports Nuco and have a lot of fun doing it. It is a tremendous networking vehicle and a superb place to keep up with the changes in our industry." - Steve Willis, Nuco
AMC 5 Year Awards
Bottom: From Left to Right: Andre Calvo, Infinite Energy; Mike Birnbaum, SYSCO; Jill Fishman, Edy’s; Jim Gray, Heartland Payment Systems; Casey Missert, Coca-Cola; Harry Price, Coca-Cola
Top Row: From Left to Right: James Clark, Pinnacle Hospitality Systems; Cleve Murphy, BMI; Susan Brooks, American Express; Al Gardner, A&L Associates
Not Pictured:
Steve Willis - Nuco
Brad Gamble - Infinite Energy
FRLA Congratulates Pinnacle Hospitality Systems’, James Clark, winner of the 2008 Gala Ticket Sales Contest!
POS provider, Pinnacle partners with food and beverage providers to maximize profits through business intelligence. Pinnacle has 7 offices servicing Florida, Alabama and Southern Georgia and provides POS, Video Surveillance, On-line Ordering, Enterprise Corporate Reporting and Accounting Middleware.
James has been with Pinnacle for 12 years and got his start in the hospitality industry as a Bus Boy in 1974. He has worked in all positions in both the front and back of house ending as the Regional Food and Beverage Manager for Victoria Station in 1982 before making the move to Pinnacle as a Sales Representative, Sales Manager and Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. Jim has 14 years experience with other POS providers as District Manager, Major Account Manager and VP of Sales. He hold an AA Degree in Accounting from TX A&M and BBA from the Conrad Hilton School of Hotel Restaurant Management at the University of Houston. Congratulations Jim – and thank you for all you do in support of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association