News

NAMA Industry Awards Honor Hessling Lawlor And Smith

LAS VEGAS, NV -- The National Automatic Merchandising Association has honored outstanding achievements by industry members with its annual awards. They were presented during the opening general session of The NAMA Show (renamed from OneShow) at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Mar. 21. Named Industry Person of the Year is Joe Hessling, chief executive of 365 Retail Markets (Troy, MI). Jeff Smith, chairman and chief executive of All Star Services (Port Huron, MI) is lauded as Operator of the Year. And M...

March 28, 2018

LAS VEGAS, NV -- The National Automatic Merchandising Association has honored outstanding achievements by industry members with its annual awards. They were presented during the opening general session of The NAMA Show (renamed from OneShow) at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Mar. 21.

Named Industry Person of the Year is Joe Hessling, chief executive of 365 Retail Markets (Troy, MI). Jeff Smith, chairman and chief executive of All Star Services (Port Huron, MI) is lauded as Operator of the Year. And Mike Lawlor, chief services officer of USA Technologies (Malvern, PA), is recognized as Allied Member of the Year.

Hessling established 365 Retail Markets in 2008. What began as a venture in a garage has grown to an enterprise with a staff of 150 employees and more than 20,000 payment centers around the world.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Hessling owned and operated several companies in foodservice prior to founding 365 Retail Markets. These included restaurants, catering and corporate dining operations, and a restaurant products distributorship.

He is a member of NAMA's board of directors and serves on several  committees. He serves on NAMA's Executive Forum Task Force and speaks regularly on technology, micromarkets and new industry channels and opportunities. The 365 Retail Markets chief has hosted site visits with Michigan lawmakers at his office and is a regular NAMA Fly-In and Public Policy Conference participant, meeting with legislators to build awareness of the convenience services industry.

Hessling was named Champion of the New Economy by Dbusiness, with 365 recognized as a Crain's Michigan Fast 50, one of the Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies, two years in a row, as well as one of the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.  The company also earned a NAMA Innovation Award.

Hessling shares his knowledge and innovation experience as a speaker and presenter at global technology and industry events as well as an advisor and investor for other start-ups.

Hessling and the 365 Retail Markets team participate in programs benefitting local families, including Gleaners and the Volunteers of America's Adopt a Family holiday program as well as threesisters.org.

Jeff Smith has led All Star Services, a family-owned vending, coffee service and micromarket operation, for 31 years. Under his leadership, All Star has made seven acquisitions and grown to operate 2,500 vending machines and 60 micromarkets across Michigan.

He has made embracing innovation a priority, guiding the company as an early adopter of telemetry, cashless and loyalty rewards technology. Prior to All Star Services, Smith spent 10 years with Coca-Cola Co., serving as a territory, district and ultimately regional manager for the region west of Colorado.

Smith is chair-elect of NAMA's board of directors and serves on the association's government affairs committee and Foundation board. An industry advocate, he is a regular Fly-In and Public Policy Conference participant and has hosted legislators for site visits. Under his leadership as chairman of the Michigan Distributors and Vendors Association in 2000, the group successfully lobbied for a fairness tax eliminating sales tax on beverages and snacks sold in vending machines. Smith also sits on the advisory board for USConnect.

Throughout his career, Smith has supported his community, serving on the board of the Lake Huron Medical Center and as a commissioner for the City of Port Huron Planning Council.  The All Star team has supported a variety of local organizations, including bottled water donations to support residents of Flint, MI.  Smith was honored with NAMA's chairman award in 1998 and 2001.

Lawlor oversees USAT's ePort Connect service and manages its national strategic partnerships. He previously was USAT's senior vice-president of sales and business development. During his 21 years of service with USAT, he has facilitated, tracked and reported upon the company's electronic payment services and worked across functions within the organization to provide technology solutions.

Prior to his affiliation with USAT, Lawlor was national accounts sales manager for the PepsiCo foodservice team. Throughout his career at PepsiCo he managed retail, restaurant and vending business sectors in regional and national roles that spanned several functions including sales, operations and sales management in the Dallas and Houston, TX, markets.

Lawlor serves on NAMA's board of directors and as a task force member for the association's executive forum. An expert in industry technology and cashless payments, he shares his expertise, leading education sessions and panels on a range of topics at industry events. Lawlor also participates in policy discussions helping inform NAMA advocacy efforts, sharing knowledge on technology trends and digital solutions.

NAMA HONORS: Above, Joe Hessling of 365 Retail Markets accepts National Automatic Merchandising Association Industry Person of the Year Award from association president and chief executive Carla Balakgie (left) and chair Heidi Chico, U-Select-It (Des Moines, IA). Below, Jeff Smith of All Star Services (Port Huron, MI) receives Operator of the Year Award; and, at bottom, Mike Lawlor of U.S.A. Technologies (Malvern, PA) is honored as Allied Member of the Year.