KALAMAZOO, MI, March 03, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- David M. Stafford has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Stafford serves as the president and chief executive officer of Stafford-Smith Inc., a family-owned and operated food service vendor organization that was established by his grandfather in 1940. Presently, as a third-generation leader, he is responsible for all company operations. A passionate salesperson whose reach now extends both nationally and internationally, the company notably sells kitchen equipment to large and small organizations, including sports stadiums, correctional facilities and hospitals, as well as schools, hotels and independently owned restaurants. Notably, in 2020, Mr. Stafford and his team generated $224 million in sales.
Mr. Stafford's grandfather founded Stafford-Smith Inc. as a refrigeration contractor and dealer of bar and tavern equipment. Over the past eight decades, it has grown to include 19 offices and warehouses throughout the U.S., as well as two additional satellite offices in California and Saint Louis. Overseeing approximately 200 employees, with expectations of expanding the business even further, Mr. Stafford's goal is to be recognized as the best in the industry for foodservice equipment in all the United States.
Working for the family business since his childhood, Mr. Stafford eventually joined the organization full-time in 1992. Working beneath his father, he learned the inner workings of the organization, and currently employs his own son, David R. Stafford, as a fourth-generation account executive. Attributing the success and longevity of Stafford-Smith Inc. to the tremendous work ethic of his team, Mr. Stafford works diligently to do whatever is necessary to ensure customer satisfaction, and believes deeply in the importance of remaining focused on acquiring, overseeing and completing each project exactly the way it was promised.
A dedicated advocate on behalf of his community, Mr. Stafford coached high school lacrosse for more than a decade. He has also been involved with several charitable organizations, including one 501 (c) nonprofit, through which he served as the president for five years. To remain aware of developments in his field, Mr. Stafford is an executive committee member of the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association. He is also the president of the CPG/XYZ buying group.
Mr. Stafford attended Western Michigan University, where he played college football and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communications and medieval history. He subsequently spent another four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Named as the FE&S Dealer of the Year in 2001 and in 2021, Mr. Stafford's company has also been recognized with a Consumers Energy 2020 Award as a Top Distributor in Natural Gas Savings for Michigan.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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