John Shelley, Founder and Managing Principal
John is a leader in the food industry with over 25 year’s experience.  His corporate know-how in multiple related industries brought about the creation of Gateway Military Sales LLC.  As Gateway’s founder he used his skill to create a master service center focused on the military resale channel. Born in Minnesota, John graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Minnesota State University with five (5) majors.

John’s work history includes key roles with a Fortune 200 Food Company, a key management position with the leading Van Lines in the Moving & Storage industry and multiple management roles in a Military food brokerage operation. His knowledge of perishable food products, the understanding of transportation and logistics, the creation of a Military Foodservice Division, and the Executive Oversight of a deli/bakery contractor operation equips John uniquely for the challenges at Gateway Military.

 
Jim Nazarowski, Co-Founder and Principal
Jim has been a leader in the food industry for nearly 30 years. As a senior executive he has led a number of companies thru start ups, restructuring, growth, mergers, acquisitions, and sale.   Jim is a graduate of the State University of New York with a degree in Business Administration. 

In addition to his role at Gateway, Jim is the founder of FirstCo Development Inc and SmartPrice Inc.  FirstCo is military and civilian food brokerage and consulting organization. SmartPrice provides food products to the fast growing dollar store and extreme value channel.   Each of these companies operates in a food focused niche environment that have both significant sales growth and high ROI potential. Jim serves on the boards of several companies, all in the food industry.

Joseph Forrester, Director of Sales
Joseph “Joe” Forrester has been in the Food industry for over 26 years. He has worked in the military, retail, club, convenience, dollar and foodservice sectors of the food industry. He has lived and worked all over the US during that time and has managed direct and broker sales forces. Joe has dealt with Chain accounts, Independent accounts as well as local and National accounts. He has worked with DSD, warehouse and distributor organizations around the US. He brings a wide range of Sales, Consumer Package Goods Management and Marketing experience to the Gateway team. Joe is married with two children (both in college) and lives in Manchester, MD.

Andrew Topus, Director of Business Development
Andrew Topus is the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of SmartPrice Sales, a consumer package goods provider to the Extreme Value channel. Andy has held senior management positions in the food industry for 30 years. He has successfully founded and serves as President of Focus Marketing, Inc., a sales and consulting company with relationships with the leading food companies in the US. Andy has served on advisory boards of meat processors and sales brokerage agencies in the US. Andy works with Gateway Military on Business Development and serves on Gateway’s Advisory Board. He is a graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. degree in Food Science and Food Marketing.

Christopher “Kip” Love, Director of Business Development
“Kip” Love has over 29 years of retail food sales experience (Meat and CPG) that is National in scope. Kip is the President/Owner of Maist LLC a Master Brokerage and Consulting Group. The Maist group boasts traditional retail representation in 30 major markets nationally, the Club Channel and the Natural Channel, with specific focus in the Meat, Deli, Seafood, and Bakery. Kip is a Director of Business Development and is on Gateway’s Advisory Board. Kip’s strength is bringing his traditional retail relationships to the Military via the Gateway model. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a business degree. Kip is married with two children and lives in Chicago.

Melanie Marker, Marketing Manager
Melanie comes to Gateway with several years of marketing experience. Previously she served as Marketing Director for the second largest catering company in the St. Louis area.  She has a BS degree in Business Administration-Marketing from the University of Illinois in Champaign.  Her education and experience in food marketing positions her well for this assignment. In her role at Gateway, Melanie will direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of the marketing department.  Key emphasis will be placed on identifying and developing sales opportunities within the Military Commissaries and the Exchanges for our supplier/manufactures.

Sarah Shelley, Business Manager
Sarah is the Operations Manager and Logistics Coordinator for Gateway Military. Sarah has been with Gateway Military since start-up, helping to define and establish efficient procedures in all areas of the company including: operations, accounting, and customer service with an emphasis on overall logistics. Sarah has direct contact with many military installations and the entire distributor network on a weekly basis. She is a graduate of Missouri State University with a B.A. degree in Philosophy.

Debbie Trauner, Business Manager
Debbie is the  Customer Service Manager and Logistics Coordinator for Gateway Military. Debbie has more than 22 years of experience in the food industry, where she learned the food manufacturing and distribution business from the ground up. Her previous experience includes Office Manager, Operations Manager, and Branch Manager.

Peg Shelley, Office Manager
Peg’s key responsibility is office management.  Her contributions were instrumental at the start-up of Gateway Military and continue today.  In addition to her primary responsibility, Peg contributes to customer service and accounting as necessary.  She attended Minnesota State University.