Mid-Atlantic

Mike Hogan can be reached at: mikehogan@mpmfeg.com

Mark joined MPM in January of 2023 after 2 years in the Recruiting/ Sales environment post college. He earned a bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications and Marketing from Marquette University in 2021. He will be joining the sales team and is also the son of owner Larry Nicholson. Mark currently resides in Chicago with his roomates from college. 

Mark Nicholson can be reached at: MarkN@mpmfeg.com

Eli joined MPM Food Equipment Conneticut division in 2015. His previous job was as a FedEx driver. Eli started in our company as a Logistics Manager and in 2023 Eli switched over to the sales team and is now a Regional Sales Support Specialist. He also has over ten years of experience in the culinary area, working as a main Chef in different known places in Puerto Rico like Restaurant Metropol, El Balcon Restaurant in El Nuevo Dia among others. Eli started in the food service area at sixteen, following in his dad's footsteps, whom taught him how to cook. Eli is happily married and enjoys traveling with his wife and four kids. Eli can be reached at eli@mpmfeg.com 

Eli Melendez can be reached at: eli@mpmfeg.com

In July 2023 Denis was appointed as President of MPM Food Equipment Group, the U.S. Distributor for PIZZAMASTER USA to accelerate growth and development of the PIZZAMASTER brand throughout the U.S., reporting to Larry Nicholson, CEO & Founder. Denis has proven experience wroking closely with channel partners, in addition to supporting restaurant operators through close relationships with the independent network of foodservice sales representatives, foodservice equipment supply dealers, and kitchen equipment design and consultants across the U.S. Denis has worked in foodservice equipment manufacturing sales since 2001, holding senior roles with Bizerba Food Service, Globe Equipment Co., Scotsman Ice Systems, Ice-O-Matic, Enodis plc (Welbilt Inc.) and in retail with Hobart Corporation (ITW Food Equipment Group).

Most recently, 2023, experience at Bizerba working closely with QSR operators including Subway and the meat-slicer roll-out to over 21,000 U.S. Subway Franchisees, Inspire Brands - Jimmy Johns Sandwiches, Restaurant Brand International's - Firehouse Subs, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Penn Station East Coast Subs, and emerging restaurant chains including Port of Subs, Baldino's Giant Jersey Subs, Erbert & Gerbert's Sandwich Shops, EM's Subs, Tallarico's Boardwalk Subs, and Cheba Hut Toasted Subs.

Denis graduated from The Univeristy of Akron (Go Zips) with a degree in Business Administration and Finance. Denis enjoys his six grandchildren, is a 911 Porsche enthusiast, being outdoors walking, bicycling, hiking, kayaking and beach shelling. He lives in the Tampa Bay Area, Florida, with his wife Rene' who is always so supportive of him and the foodservice industry and his best friend, Buddy. 

Denis Griesmer can be reached at: denis@mpmfeg.com

In June, 2003, Larry launched MPM Food Equipment Group with a goal of offering unparalleled service to his customers. Larry has grown MPM from $500,000 in sales in its first year to $13.4 million this year. He secured signed contracts to represent a diverse group of food equipment manufacturers, including Hobart Corporation, PizzaMaster, Fri-Jado Inc., and Manitowoc Corporation Food Service Equipment.

Before he founded MPM, Larry built a successful career in sales and new business development during his 20 years with Hobart Corporation, a $200 million food retail manufacturing company, which is a subsidiary of its $10 billion parent company, ITW Industries.

A dedicated member of his community, Larry is a volunteer with Misericordia Home in Chicago, Our Lady of Perpetual Help’s Men’s Club in Glenview, and St. Sabina Church in Chicago. Larry graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. He currently lives in Glenview, Illinois, with his wife and three sons.

Larry Nicholson can be reached at: larry@mpmfeg.com

Susan joined MPM in 2004 and coordinates the finance, sales administration, and human resources responsibilities. She lives with her family in Glenview, Illinois.

Susan Leverentz can be reached at: susan@mpmfeg.com

Hilda joined the MPM team in 2008. She brings several years of experience in office administration, support and customer service. Hilda resides with her family in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

Hilda Grissom can be reached at: hilda@mpmfeg.com

Paul joined MPM at its inception and has been instrumental in its strong growth. Paul is involved in all levels of MPM’s focus on customer service, including sales, training, installation and project management. Paul’s strong technical skills and product knowledge — developed over many years of hands-on experience in the industry — enable him to diagnose equipment problems and offer advice on the most cost-efficient solutions for new and reconditioned equipment.

Paul brings more than 30 years of experience in the food equipment industry to MPM. Prior to joining MPM, Paul was the Regional Sales Manager with NBI Digi, selling scale systems throughout the Midwest. He also developed client relationships with BK Industry and Qmatic Technologies, selling frying, hot dog and conveyor pizza ovens at those businesses. Paul began his career with Hobart Corporation, where he served as National Accounts Representative and successfully increasing market share with local grocery chains. Paul began his career at Hobart as an equipment sales representative to a diverse clientele and earned top honors in national sales quota contests.

Paul earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University. Paul lives in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, where he and his wife Cindy raised three children. Paul was president of the Toastmaster club in his local community.

Paul Krueger can be reached at: Paul@mpmfeg.com

David brings more than 25 years of sales experience to his clients at MPM and has developed relationships with some of the best restaurants, clubs and catering companies in the Chicagoland area.

David began his career with North Shore Refrigeration, an independent appliance dealer located in Skokie, Ill. Over the next ten years, he successfully represented more than 50 different lines, including GE, Whirlpool, and Kitchen Aid. After a long successful run on the residential side of the business, David was instrumental in developing North Shore’s commercial sales division, which catered to the large volume homebuilders and multi unit developers.

David graduated from St. Norbert College with a degree in Communications and a minor in Business. David is a member of the Loyola Academy Coaches/Fathers’ Council, and he served as President of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Men’s Club and as Co-Chair of the OLPH Casino Nights and other fundraising initiatives. He lives in Glenview, Illinois, with his wife and three sons.

David Fallon can be reached at: David@mpmfeg.com

Chris joined the MPM team in April of 2010, bringing 15 years of experience in the food service industry. While at Boelter Companies, Chris gained expertise in inside and outside sales and project management. Chris is proud that his team was recognized in 2006 for producing the company’s top sales results that year. His clients have ranged from small, independent restaurants to large chain restaurants and hospitals – with each, he excels at seeing the project from start to finish.

Chris lives in Villa Park, Illinois, where he was born and raised.

Chris Carsello can be reached at: chris@mpmfeg.com

Damian Parra, Jr can be reached at: damian@mpmfeg.com

After graduating from Fremd High School, Michelle started working in the Corporate Food Industry Business while attending college. In 2010 she graduated with honors from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL with a B.A. of Sociology and a B.A. Psychology, and went on to receive a Paralegal Certification in 2012 from Harper College. Michelle joined the MPM team in September 2015, bringing with her 11 years of experience in Research and Development, Sales and Executive support. She resides in downtown Palatine with her two cats, Starla and Baby Ivy.

Michelle Foerster can be reached at: michelle@mpmfeg.com

Kristal Eppenstein can be reached at: Kristal@mpmfeg.com

Jennifer joined the MPM team in 2013. She brings several years of experience in office administration, accounting, and project management. Jennifer resides with her son in Wheeling, Illinois.

Jennifer Healy can be reached at: jennifer@mpmfeg.com

Michael joined MPM in 2008, bringing 22 years of sales experience to his clients in the retail and food service markets. Michael’s broad and diverse background helps MPM’s expansion into new and growing markets. He manages three regions and the Southeast of the U.S. for Whole Foods.

Michael began his career with Hobart Corporation in 1987, eventually rising to the role of National Account Manager. He managed several national chain accounts such as Kroger, Winn-Dixie, and Whole Foods. He also managed several Street Sales representative for Hobart, covering Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In 2004, Michael earned the Toppers Award for being one of the top four Sales Representatives for Hobart in the United States. In 2005, he left Hobart and spent 3 years with Strategic Equipment and Supply Company, the nation’s third-largest food service equipment distributor. At Strategic he was able to take his personal sales from $200,000 in his first year to over $2.1 million in less than 3 years.

Michael graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BSBA in Marketing and an MBA from Webster University. He is a longtime member of the Georgia Food Industry Association (GFIA) and is involved in a variety of youth activities with the Brookwood Athletic Association. Michael has called Atlanta home for more than 17 years with his wife and son.

Michael Rodriguez can be reached at: michael@mpmfeg.com

Mike Vumback can be reached at: mikevumback@mpmfeg.com

Jim joined the MPM team in 2018. Leaving a successful career in business to pursue his zeal for cooking, Jim graduated with honors from The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago in 1993. During his tenure as Executive Chef and General Manager of Bucktown’s Café Absinthe, he improved upon the eclectic restaurant’s already high ratings and grew business by 30%. As an entrepreneurial venture, he created a much sought-after in-home cooking class and upscale catering business. Profitable within its first year of business, the buzz surrounding “Chef Jim” earned him an appearance on the WGN Morning Show as well as inclusion in numerous articles, most notably a feature in The Chicago Tribune food section. Then in 2002 Jim started working with Four Corners Tavern Group as Executive Chef and opened 12 restaurants with 35 M total in yearly sales. Other contributions to the culinary world include teaching at the Calphalon Center and Sur La Table. He lives in Chicago with his wife and two children.

Jim Hoban can be reached at: jim@mpmfeg.com

Warehouse

Joe Healy can be reached at: joe@mpmfeg.com

Pedro Jauregui can be reached at: info@mpmfeg.com

Oscar Manjarrez can be reached at: info@mpmfeg.com