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About2022-11-30T04:36:26+00:00

Representing Elite Food Service to Manufacturer’s Since 1981

The company was founded in October of 1981 by Theron “T” Carman and Don Girard. The company started with three equipment lines; Metro, Cleveland Range Company, and Frymaster Corporation. We used SMSA (Standard Metropolitan  Statistical Areas) by using place sales, as a barometer of where and when to add sale persons. Our SMSA’s  include; Georgia, Alabama, Florida Panhandle, and Middle and East Tennessee, which were slightly more than 5.2% in 1981. The three largest Metropolitan areas were Atlanta, GA,  Nashville, TN,  and Birmingham, AL. As a result we added two partners;  Ferrell Hataway in 1983 in Birmingham, AL, and Rick Shirk in 1988 in Nashville, TN. We operated in a small office on Shallowford Road in Atlanta till 1986 with satellite offices in Birmingham and Nashville.

In October 1986, we moved our Headquarters to 3157 Presidential Drive, Atlanta, Ga.  This 6,000 sq ft building has offices, a full test kitchen, a small showroom, and approximately 3900 sq ft of warehouse.  In 2011, adjacent space of 2100 square feet was added for additional offices and warehouse.  This NE Atlanta facility allows good access from the perimeter and from a major interstate, both within a mile.  Also, we currently have three (3) loading docks.

As our reputation and sales volume escalated, we have added several more outside sales persons and support staff.

“T” Carman’s stock was bought out in 2001, and “T” retired fully in 2007.   Rick Shirk and Ferrell Hataway, although no longer stockholders, still serve as outside sales persons and as Vice Presidents for CGA Reps.

In our current product offerings, we received 5 awards of excellence for sales in 2010.

In what was described as a difficult year, we grew sales and income by as much as 20% in lines that produced over 1 million dollars in our territory.  In 2011 we also grew our business by 10%.    In 2012 we set a new record for sales and income.  We received a “Rep of the Year Award” from San Jamar, and received additional awards for gains of 67%, 18%, and 15%  for 3 of our major lines as well.

We strive to represent and distribute lines that meet the criteria of being industry leaders, energy efficient, and employ cutting edge technology.

In 2012, Don Girard entered into an agreement with Dave Blum, Nick Swanson, and Seth Swanson to purchase the stock of the corporation. Dave, Nick, and Seth function as Managing Directors and run the business, while Don serves as a mentor and handles outside sales as directed. In June of 2018 Don Girard retired and CGA Reps was bought out by Nick, Seth and Dave on July of 2018.

Our Team

Nick Swanson

Nick Swanson Managing Director | Georgia Sales Nick Swanson entered the Food Service Equipment world in April 2008. He graduated from Georgia [...]

Seth Swanson

Seth Swanson Managing Director | Tennessee Sales Seth Swanson has been part of the CGA team since 2006. He has a [...]

Dave Blum

Dave Blum Managing Director | Georgia Sales Dave Blum has been a part of the CGA team since February, 2010. Dave [...]

John Stephens

John Stephens Foodservice Dealer John has a 35 plus year career as a Manufacturers Representative in the Food Service Equipment and Supply Industry. [...]

Turner Atkins

Turner Atkins Alabama Sales Turner started in the Foodservice Equipment Industry in 1988.  Over 16 years he worked for 2 dealers [...]

Susan Holt

Susan Holt Warranty/Service Susan Holt has been in the foodservice industry for more than 20 years. She joined the CGA Team in [...]

Sam Robaina

Sam Robaina Sam Robaina joined CGA in June 2017. Originally from Miami, Sam entered into the foodservice industry in 2009 working [...]

Karyn Booterbaugh

Karyn Booterbaugh Inside Sales | Customer Service Karyn has worked in the food service equipment industry since joining CGA in 2006.  [...]

Mark Hahn

Mark Hahn Outside Sales – Tennessee

Tyler Scott

Tyler Scott | Outside Sales – Georgia Tyler Scott has spent most of his life within the foodservice industry starting as an [...]

Joel Becsi

Joel Becsi |  “EMA” – Outside Sales – Georgia

Rex Kealey

Rex Kealey Accounts Payable Clerk Alexis “ Rex” Kealey joined the CGA Team in 2018 as the Accounts Payable Clerk. She has [...]

Gary Dallas

Gary Dallas | “EMA” – Outside Sales – Tennessee

Corey Ferger

Corey Ferger | Outside Sales - Georgia Corey Ferger joined CGA in September 2018, bringing with him 5+ years of experience as [...]

Amy Arrowood

Amy Arrowood  Inside Sales / Customer Service

Peggy Lawrence

Peggy Lawrence |  Outside Sales – Georgia Education

Ron Ellsworth

Ron Ellsworth  “EMA” – Outside Sales – Georgia

Sondra Carlisle

Sondra Carlisle  | “EMA” – Outside Sales – Alabama

Ryan Ortlep

Ryan Ortlep   Inside Sales  / Customer Service

Peter Oh

Peter Oh | Accounting Director