MANA is pleased to announce the election of two exceptionally well-qualified MANA representative members to MANA’s Board of Directors. Each will serve a two‑year term that starts May 1, 2015. Please join us in congratulating them.

If you are a representative member and are interested in serving on MANA’s Board of Directors, please e-mail Susan Strouse at [email protected] to request the necessary forms.

John Beaver earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Long Island University, and at age 26, in 1984, founded Optimum Metro Sales, Inc., which joined MANA in 1990. Beaver brings 30 years’ experience as a representative firm owner including 24 years’ experience as a MANA member to MANA’s Board.

Today, GSA, www.gsatech.com, is a 27-person firm offering territory coverage from Maine to Virginia. The firm, a member of MANA, NEMRA and ERA, covers several markets including Electrical, Military, Aerospace and Factory Automation. It’s this unique board market approach that has enabled GSA to grow continuously. This expertise in diverse markets came from successfully blending the purchase of six representative companies, now known as GSA.

Beaver currently serves on MANA’s Strategic Planning Committee as well as the rep council for ABB low voltage products and Vynckier Enclosure Systems, Inc. He also has served on rep councils for Weidmuller and Crydom.

For the past three years, Beaver has been president of the local Metro NY/NJ ERA Chapter. In early 2014, he was elected the chapter’s chairman.

Beaver was featured in an October 2012, Agency Sales magazine article.

Danny Collis, CPMR, MTC101 (MAFSI Technology Certification) is the president and owner of Collis Group, Inc., www.collisgroupinc.com, a manufacturers’ rep firm in Richmond Hill, Ontario with eight employees servicing Ontario.

Collis was elected to serve as the 2012 president of MAFSI (Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry) and the chairman of the board of directors and executive committee. As such, the president’s responsibilities specifically focus on MAFSI’s policies, overall direction, governance oversight and procedures as defined by the association’s strategic plan and annual operating plans. In addition, Collis represents the membership through attendance at official association meetings at the national level.

MAFSI provides a number of services for its members including training and education, business management, sales and marketing and technology, industry policy development including ethical standards development, liaison with other industry groups, biennial conferences, personal networking opportunities, and communication through their bi-monthly e-newsletter, MAFSI Matters.

Collis started working in foodservice sales in 1989 with Garland Commercial Ranges in Toronto. Further experience includes work with a design build company and also a manufacturers’ representative organization. Collis Group, Inc., was formed in 1996 as a manufacturers’ representative focusing on equipment sales.

Currently Collis Group represents 13 lines covering the province of Ontario. Collis Group focuses on bringing quality products to many segments of the market from chain accounts to food service consultants and also fosters close relationships with food service dealers.