Cole Robinson,
Cash-Wa Distributing Kearney, NE
Cole’s start in the foodservice industry came when he received his internship at Cash-Wa Distributing. The three month internship covered inside/outside sales, deliveries, warehouse, returns, customer service and more. Cole really enjoyed his internship and was very impressed with CWD and the people that worked there. The feeling was mutual. Cole joined CWD full time working on the equipment and supplies side of the industry just four weeks after he received his Bachelor of Science degree.
Chris Abraham, CWD Director of Sales & Marketing says, “Cole has been training the past year to be primarily responsible for both equipment and supplies sales, he supports our general sales team in building and creating quotes, visiting customers on job sites, and helping assist with sales of E & S with call in customers and with the general sales team. Cole will be getting more involved with creating design projects as time progresses. He is very computer savvy and his ability to process and learn things is a huge advantage.”
Cole enjoys helping people with their endeavors. He listens to their ideas for restaurants, bars, bakeries, ballrooms, etc. and enjoys trying to help them plan and layout what they want it to look like. He is always excited to propose to his customers what CWD can offer as an E&S business and then is proud to provide what they need.
“My focus has been 99% relationship building and learning the industry”, said Cole. He says, “My role is to fulfill my customers’ needs or wants. I take phone calls daily from customers needing new product, parts, questions in general about product, and some customers just call to say hey. I feel my biggest role is to build relationships and loyalty. People want someone they can count on to be there and also be supportive of their future. I take full responsibility for my customers whether they are happy or unhappy; I take care of them the best I can.”
CWD is a strong supporter of their employees and a strong supporter of SEFA training. Chris Abraham, CWD says, “I personally feel that it’s a must to send our employees to as much SEFA training as possible. SEFA training has helped accelerate Cole’s knowledge of products first hand and the manufacturers that we focus on for our sources.”
Cole finds the SEFA training valuable for many reasons. He enjoys meeting and listening to people from all areas of the country with all levels of foodservice industry experience. “Everyone has a different story and they are all interesting. SEFA has awesome people and the training of product is superb; I have never been to a SEFA training or even attended a training webinar that I did not learn something. Every time I get back from an event I have something new I can apply to my customers and to my company to help the overall success.”
Cole has a very close relationship with his family. He told us he has been inspired (his whole life) by his parents. He says, “They pushed me through school when I didn’t understand where it was getting me; they pushed me to work hard every day to make sure I keep a good work ethic and to be sure I was earning whatever I was receiving; and now I thank them every day for the inspiration.” He also has two brothers and a sister that have been inspirations for him growing up and still are today. He says, “They are my best friends and when times are bad I have three phone numbers I can ALWAYS count on.”
He credits Ron Howerter as his industry inspiration. He says, “Ron is the professional that has spent a great deal of time with me and is still training me today. Ron is a very intelligent man in the equipment business, he has been in the industry for a million years. I could not ask for a better person to teach me the ropes. Ron has been very supportive of what I am doing and he pushes me each day to keep learning. Whenever I think there is nothing else to learn Ron turns the page in the learning book. I have accepted the fact that I will NEVER know everything.”
Cole lives in Elm Creek Nebraska, about 17 miles from CWD headquarters in Kearney. He has been happily married for two years to his wife Alison. They have a 7 month old son, Corbyn and a new puppy named Tiger. He says, “My hobbies consist of my 7 month old son, golf, basketball, family, friends and Husker football.”
SEFA is proud and honored to partner with Cole as he continues to invest in his professional career. Cole is definitely utilizing his skills and passion for all the right reasons. He is professional, friendly and focused. He respects his company and fellow colleagues. He works hard, loves this industry and takes care of his customers.
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