Editor’s note: This story has been updated since it’s original posting to reflect the company’s leadership moving forward.
After less than two years on the job, Marie Ffolkes is out as CEO for TriMark USA, a Mansfield, Mass.-based foodservice equipment and supplies dealer. Ffolkes and the company’s board of directors “mutually agreed that she will depart the company, effective immediately,” per an email announcing the transition.
Instead of identifying Ffolkes' successor, TriMark USA established “an office of the CEO comprising key senior leaders, to lead the business and operations.”
Ffolkes joined TriMark in January 2020, replacing longtime CEO Jerry Hyman, who became chairman of the board and maintained a seat on the company’s board of directors. Prior to joining TriMark, Ffolkes spent more than 25 years in manufacturing.
While announcing the transition, TriMark struck a positive note: “Marie was instrumental in leading TriMark during a period of unprecedented uncertainty, and she has established strong momentum and a solid foundation to build on. We wish her the very best as she prepares for her next venture.”
Ffolkes joined TriMark just before COVID-19 developed into a global pandemic that had a traumatic impact on restaurant operators and the companies that support them. That said, Ffolkes’ TriMark tenure was a highly active one that saw high-profile changes occur within the dealer’s leadership team.
In February 2020 Karen McCain became executive vice president for TriMark USA’s south region, replacing company veteran Marty Monnat, who retired. And in May 2020 TriMark tapped former Walmart executive Cameron Geiger to serve as chief supply chain officer and Chad Brooks to serve as chief financial officer. In November 2020 TriMark consolidated its two e-commerce platforms, Chef’s Toys and Big Tray, into one division. And at the end of 2020, longtime TriMark executive Steve Fishman retired.
In January of 2021, Kim Gill Rimsza announced her retirement from TriMark the following month, while Stacy Taylor replaced Geiger as chief supply chain officer and the dealer made several leadership changes within its TriMark SS Kemp division. In February 2021 TriMark promoted company veteran Rodney Bridgers to senior vice president, vendor programs. Also in February 2021, Tom Schrack Jr. of TriMark Hockenbergs announced his retirement in June of 2021.
In 2020, TriMark reported annual revenues of $1.4 billion, making it the country’s second largest foodservice equipment and supplies dealer per FE&S 2021 Distribution Giants study.
