Gary Estwick

5/10/2019 Why Choose ACityDiscount? Login or Register Mon-Fri 8:30a-5:30p Sat 10a-4p EST- HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL Info Hub About Us Search Keyword or SKU About Us Blog Customer Highlights Our History Contact Us Cart Search Careers Return to Store » About Us » Blog » Why Choose ACityDiscount? Why Choose ACityDiscount? Because We Fuel Dreams Posted: Dec 07, 2018 WE FUEL DREAMS ABOUT US We sell restaurant equipment. Yet we hang our imaginary hats on so much more than commercial ice machines, griddles and smallwares. We’re a collection of former restaurant pros utilizing hands-on experience as dishwashers and bartenders, chefs and general managers to arm our customers with the best equipment options. We fuel the dreams of entrepreneurs – families and friends armed with a few recipes a building lease and a dream. What really gets our planetary mixers moving? When those same foodservice newbies return to our showroom or call us excited, motivated and ready to expand. Also, we joke a lot. Stop by and see if we’re actually funny. OUR MISSION We come to work every day to solve the latest and greatest build-out frustrations that plague new and existing customers. In a restaurant industry full of guesswork, we strive to present clear, precise answers – and pricing. (Sorta) like the Ray Charles song: “Customer Experience is Always on Our Mind.” RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT SUPER HEROES Hap - General Sales Manager / Rouge / Liver of Many Lives - ext. 115 I’ve worked as a pharmacy delivery boy, tossed pizzas, worked on a beer truck, served in the Army, drove a cab in New York City, tended a bar, worked as a bouncer and managed a nightclub and restaurants.I also love to read and I’m a history buff (favorite period: the years leading up to and through World War II). 4.9 Ask Hap: How he (kinda) learned to play the tuba in junior high school. https://www.acitydiscount.com/about/Why-Choose-ACityDiscount-.169.2.htm 1/4 5/10/2019 Why Choose ACityDiscount? Mike - Showroom Sales Manager / Ringleader of Smallware Shenanigans - ext. 109 I worked my first job at age 15 (McDonald’s). I balanced college and the night club business in the 1980s, working for well-known spots like Dominique’s, Deion’s Club 21 and Scenario, once rated the No. 1 night club in America (Playboy Magazine). In 1987, I was named the best bartender in Atlanta. When late nights got to be too much, I transitioned to the restaurant equipment business. Meanwhile, I found time to backpack the Northwestern U.S. and play golf around the country. Ask Mike: Which U.S. president called him to express his satisfaction with a restaurant equipment install. Bernie - Sales Representative / Resident Chef / Intergalactic Rocker - ext. 105 I’ve worked in commercial kitchens for 27 years – served as the opening chef in 17 restaurants in Boston, Savannah, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Valley, Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende and Atlanta. This is my first non-cooking job. Fun for me is fishing, snowboarding, downhill skateboarding and the Boston Bruins. Oh, and I toured with The Greatful Dead for two summers (1990-91) and witnessed Black Sabbath’s final tour stop at Madison Square Garden (2017). At ACityDiscount, I’m either passing on commercial kitchen recommendations to restaurant owners, creating snacks for co-workers or assisting our marketing team with creating fresh content for ACityDiscount.com. Ask Bernie: About his pastrami short ribs. Charles - Business Development / Collector of Dreams-I’m a pot and pan salesman with a successful track record of nearly two decades. I’m also a Falcons fan, a folk art collector (R.A Miller, Howard Finster) and a non-performing rock n’ roll solo artist. I’ve attended hundreds of concerts; my all-time favorite is a 1981 show with The Plasmatics. I’ve traveled to Paris, Rome, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami and other destinations. Currently living the A-City Dream… Ask Charles: To sing a few bars… Ned - Sales Representative / Bad to the Brisket - ext. 116 I’m a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a chef for more than 26 years. I’m also the owner of the only 100 percent green catering company in Gwinnett County. To get here, I’ve worked as a lumberjack and a cabinet installer. I’m also retired Navy, an advanced certified personal trainer (I’m ranked in six martial arts), a firearms instructor, K-9 trainer, fan of sea kayaking, camping, a novice carpenter and a music teacher. Ask Ned: About his days as a lumberjack in New York and Maine. Rudy - Redistribution Specialist / Collector of Cold Brews - ext. 113 Before I found my way to ACityDiscount, I worked on roofs, worked for a fiberglass company and in the restaurant industry – I served as a prep cook, line cook, bartender and later, in management. My first job? At age 12, I stocked and cleaned a convenience store. Nowadays, I spend my free time searching for pools and good spirits. Ask Rudy: About his latest BBQ idea… Lisa - Sales Representative / Menu Board Maven - ext. 137 I was born in Georgia, but I’ve been bi-coastal since about the age of 12, going back and forth between here and California. I discovered my love for bartending at Dirty Al’s Saloon in Atlanta. I enjoy the social aspect of the job – mixing and mingling with different types of people – same as I do now as a salesperson. My hobbies are much like my career: creating memories, whether it’s painting, drawing or rearranging ACityDiscount’s showroom. I’ve never been able to draw that well (without erasing and starting over until I’m satisfied). But after some time, I’m able to take an image from my head and re-create it on our showroom easel. I also enjoy going to outdoor concerts, hanging out 4.9 with friends, being a social butterfly and a free spirit – although motherhood has become my biggest pastime. https://www.acitydiscount.com/about/Why-Choose-ACityDiscount-.169.2.htm 2/4 5/10/2019 Why Choose ACityDiscount? Ask Lisa: About her next showroom easel idea. Krista - Showroom Sales Lead / Sergeant of Coffee - ext. 104 I started at ACityDiscount when the company was located on Murphy Ave. in the West End neighborhood of Atlanta. I left for a period of time to work at American Tables and Seating (ATS) until I received a voicemail from Hap, ACityDiscount's General Sales Manager. In his message, he asked if I wanted to be a part of ACityDiscount’s new Norcross operation (2011). Only Hap would leave that kind of voicemail at someone’s job! It worked. I’ve been here ever since. Before ACityDiscount, I served nine years in the Army, including two tours in Iraq. Ask Krista: Why her family calls her Kristi (not Krista). Brian - Showroom Sales Rep / Purveyor of Promotional Peaches - ext. 142 Charm, good looks and restaurant industry know-how… I’ve got a lot more of the latter than the former! My background in foodservice dates back to my teenage days. At age 15, I worked as a bag boy at a grocery store, eventually working up to store manager. Then I had a 12-year stint at Fox Theatre. I’ve been at ACityDiscount since 2013. In my free time, I enjoy sports, sailing and spending time with my family. Ask Brian: About his favorite local cuisine. JoTandria - Order Fulfillment Specialist / Curator of Company Photos I keep manufactures in check, ensuring they process orders on time! I’ve worked at ACityDiscount since 2007, so I’m in a lot of the older company photos. Over time, I became the collector of these photos; they’re on display on a wall near my desk. I’m in the photos, so I collect them to see myself (lol) – it explains my personality: bold, creative and I embrace the extreme. In my free time, I shoe shop and enjoy a good meal from our many customers. Ask JoTandria: About her shoe collection. George - Warehouse Operations Supervisor / Best Beard in the Building I’m on my second tour with ACityDiscount. My job consists of addressing facility needs, including repairs, supervising delivery, new merchandising, shipping and used equipment processing. I also work closely with sales, customer service and marketing. So one moment, I’m coordinating an upcoming delivery to a local restaurant; the next, I’m inspecting a ceiling vent. In my free time, I’m a freshwater fisherman in search of bass and catfish... or I’m skating at Golden Glide Skating Rink and coaching my sons in Pee Wee football. Or listening to jazz – my favorite artist is Wayman Tisdale. Ask George: About the biggest bass he’s caught. Larry - Inside Sales / Commercial Hoods Guru / Swashbuckler - ext. 123 My family ran a Mexican restaurant for three decades in the Atlanta area. Meanwhile, I spent nearly a decade in the Army as a federal officer. My hobbies including working out, camping and serving as captain of an Atlanta pirate crew. Ask Larry: About his pirate ship on wheels (seriously). James – New Product Merchandising Specialist / One-liner Wonder I’ve worked in the restaurant equipment business since 2012. I consider Hank Hill, assistant manager at Strickland Propane, a mentor – he sells propane and propane accessories. I’m just as motivated, but not as animated. My ACityDiscount career started in 2014. My daily responsibilities include managing online product listings and warehouse stock levels, coordinating promotional efforts with our marketing team, communicating with vendors and administering ACityDiscount’s redistribution program. Ask James: About Pirate Joke Fridays. Catalina – Digital Marketing Manager / Cookie Creator My foodservice experience began as a teenager. I worked as a server at an Atlanta restaurant chain. Later, bartending covered my tuition costs at Georgia State University, while leading to life-long friendships. 4.9 https://www.acitydiscount.com/about/Why-Choose-ACityDiscount-.169.2.htm 3/4 5/10/2019 Why Choose ACityDiscount? In 2011, I joined ACityDiscount – not long after the company moved from Murphy Ave. to Norcross. After two years, a great opportunity in a different industry led to a change of scenery. By 2018, I realized marketing AND the foodservice industry were my passions, so I returned to my ACityDiscount roots. Here, I work with our marketing team to create content and marketing campaigns, our way of educating and entertaining customers. Our goal is to provide the best products, relative information and competitive pricing. In short, a fantastic buying experience! Outside of work, I enjoy spending time and cooking with my family, camping, running and cheering on the Falcons, Braves and Florida Gators (sorry UGA fans)! Ask Catalina: About her favorite baking recipe. Robin – Used Equipment Buyer / Peach Trader’s lead vocalist I’ve had the opportunity to work at ACityDiscount for 7+ years in the Used Equipment side of the business – as a merchandising supervisor and most recently as a used equipment buyer. I interact on a daily basis with independent owners and operators, auction houses, liquidators, hotels and large chains selling every piece of foodservice equipment, fixtures and furniture you can imagine. I take great pleasure and satisfaction in assisting them in moving concepts forward by providing expertise and guidance. Me and my son, Alec, are one of two father-and-son teams at ACityDiscount (the other is John and Marty Stack). In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, songwriting and playing with my granddaughter. Ask Robin: About his signing role in ACityDiscount’s Christmas video. 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