For the seventh consecutive year, SGR magazine held its annual Supplier Rep of the Year and Customer Service Rep of the Year contests, based on distributor nominations. This year’s winners are: Matt Wagner of Fields Manufacturing (asi/54100) as the Supplier Sales Rep of the Year and Loren Richardson of alphabroder (asi/34063) as the first runner-up; Patty Ceranski of Gemline (asi/56070) as the Customer Service Rep of the Year and Rich Fatone from Garyline (asi/55990) as the first runner-up.

As the director of sales development at Fields Manufacturing, Wagner handles the company’s top national accounts including those of the recently acquired American Greenwood. Since joining the St. Cloud, MN-based supplier five years ago as the art and order entry manager, he has rapidly ascended the company ladder and is now responsible for 25% of Fields’ annual revenue – about $5 million in sales. “Matt is extremely passionate about Fields’ customers and finding solutions for their clients,” says Matt Bertram, the company’s president. “He has impeccable follow-up and is extremely thoughtful, creative, quick-thinking and sincere.”

Of Loren Richardson, David Clifton, chief marketing officer at Top 40 supplier alphabroder, says: “Loren is a true leader of his peers and is looked at as a resource of knowledge. The management team views him as a strong player on our team and his feedback is heavily considered as we consider the voice of the customer.”

CSR of the Year Ceranski has been serving promotional clients since 1989, when she started as an inside sales representative for Parker Pen, remaining with them for 20 years. After leaving the industry for a year and a half, she accepted her current job with Top 40 supplier Gemline. She currently works with Lands’ End Business Outfitters, as well as hundreds of active accounts at Top 40 distributors AIA and HALO Branded Solutions. “Patty always thinks about her customers,” says Jonathan Isaacson, owner of Top 40 supplier Gemline. “It shows in her work ethic, attention to detail and passion for what she does. She’s a team player who does a wonderful job representing the company and always takes great pride in exceeding customer expectations.”

And regarding Fatone, his boss Rick LeDonne, Garyline’s national sales manager says: “Rich is the most valuable CSR we have, as he manages our top 15 accounts that make up about 18% of our total promotional sales.”

For more information on SGR and its annual reps of the year contest, contact Editor Michele Bell at mbell@asicentral.com.