Ownership and management updates for HRI, Limelight and Tri-State Marketing. Introducing the Viola Elevate Group. Plus, Nordon updates its personnel.
Independent manufacturers’ rep firms Elevate Foodservice Group and Viola Group have merged. The combined organization will go to market as The Viola Elevate Group, will continue serving Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, also known as MAFSI Region 1. The company intends to revamp its Connecticut office and test kitchen. It also plans to open a third location and test kitchen in 2026.
Indianapolis-based rep firm HRI unveiled a “planned ownership transition.” As part of this transition, Mitch Reilly, founding member of HRI, will remain involved in the business, continuing to oversee financial strategy while serving as a mentor to the leadership team, per a company release. Tim Christianson, managing partner, will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations and overall company leadership. Steve Amos, senior partner, will expand his leadership role and continue evolving HRI’s operational and strategic capabilities. In addition, Rob Reilly and Matt Buchanan were added as new partners, broadening the ownership group. “This plan has been in place for more than a decade. It ensures continuity for our factories and channel partners, preserves our culture, and allows the next generation of leadership to step forward at the right time,” Christianson said in a release. HRI operates fully equipped test kitchens in Detroit and Indianapolis. The company’s additional offices are located in Columbus, Ohio, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, further strengthening regional reach and hands-on field support.
Limelight Foodservice & Hospitality has taken the next steps in its relationship with Specialized Wisconsin by forming a unified structure, per a company release. As a result, Michelle Perrone, president and founder of Limelight, continues to lead the organization, while Walter Kirchoff now serves as vice president of Wisconsin. Kirchoff previously served as president of Specialized. In addition, all of Limelight’s partner companies in Illinois and Wisconsin will go to market under the Limelight name. Limelight took a similar approach to integration in July of 2025 after the company merged with Clemens Profit Group in Illinois. Following that merger, Jim Clemens, owner of Clemens Profit Group, joined the Limelight leadership team as the company’s vice president of Illinois.
Pennsylvania-based Nordon hired Todd Bergman, a 30-year veteran of the foodservice industry, to serve as vice president of culinary sales development.
Tri-State Marketing, a New York-based rep firm, has added Marc Fugaro as a partner, the company announced on LinkedIn. Fugaro serves as Tri-State’s vice president of strategic alliances, per the firm’s website and has been with the company for more than four years, per his LinkedIn profile. “Marc has demonstrated resounding leadership abilities over the last years and, equally as important, Marc aligns with our ethics, our commitment to excellence, and our responsibility to our employees and our factories. Bringing Marc in as a partner gives Tri-State a solid foundation to move forward and continue to grow. Please congratulate Marc on a well-deserved promotion,” said Lynne Schultz, Tri-State’s CEO.
