John Manson & Associates represents a number of fine manufacturers in both the Hospitality and Contract Furnishings Industries. We were incorporated in February 2004, representing product lines in Illinois, Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana. Our 2500 square foot showroom in Chicago was opened in December 2004. We have had some of Chicago’s and the Nation’s finest restaurants and hotels select dinnerware, flatware, furniture and accessories from among our offerings on display.
Our goal has always been to represent the finest manufacturers available. Companies which have both unique products and a reputation for outstanding quality are of utmost importance to us, as well as the sales representatives and specifiers who sell our product lines. We work closely with the ultimate end-users of our product lines to ensure that they receive the very best service, quality, and follow through on their orders. We pride ourselves on all aspects of customer service, realizing that our own success depends on the level of service which we provide. We maintain a very high sense of personal values with a heavy focus on honesty, integrity and decency.
John Manson (Principal)
John has been in the industry since 1986. John graduated with a marketing Degree from the University Of Illinois-Chicago in 1982. He started his career as a Sales Representative with Edward Don & Company in North Riverside, IL covering the Far Western Suburbs of Chicago. After 8 years with Edward Don, John became a Foodservice Supplies and Equipment Specialist with Sysco-Chicago, eventually focusing on the downtown Chicago market. In 1996, he became a Manufacturers Representative with Lawrence Sullivan & Associates, becoming their Sales Manager, and then in 1998, a partner. Sullivan-Manson & Associates represented many product lines in the Illinois/Wisconsin market including Carlisle, Libbey Glass, World Tableware, Syracuse China, Tomlinson, Prince Castle, Bon Chef, Corning, Dinex, L&B Furniture among others. In early 2004, John began his own Manufacturers’ Rep Group, John Manson & Associates.
Joe Schulze (Sales Representative)
Joe Schulze has 34 years of foodservice experience with manufacturers, food brokers and as an independent manufacturer’s representative. His experience as a broker was with Roy Assmussen & Associates and Durst Brokerage, where he was V.P. of Sales and Marketing for the non foods division. He started Schulze Marketing in 2003, representing lines such as World Tableware, F. Dick Knives, Pelouze Scale, Gourmet Display, H. Risch Menu, Vic Firth, Ex-Cell Kaiser, C.D.N. Thermometer, and Culinaire. Joe joined John Manson & Associates in December of 2008.
Dave Abbott (Sales Specialist)
Dave was most recently with the Gettys Group in Chicago as a Project Manager in Procurement where he gained valuable industry experience over the past 4 years. Prior to this he was employed by Hyatt Hotels Corporation for 6 years. Working in the Hyatt Chicago corporate offices, Dave started out as a Project Coordinator before being promoted to Project Manager. He is well versed in all areas of the Hospitality and Foodservice industry and is very eager to utilize this experience as he begins a new career with our group. Dave graduated with a BA from Ohio University, is also LEED Accredited, and has many contacts throughout the industry. Dave and his wife, Melanie live in the Logan Square area of Chicago.
Amy Buss (Showroom/Inside Sales Manager)
Amy joined John Manson and Associates in Summer 2010. Prior to joining our team, Amy was a Design Consultant and Floor Manager for a full-scale design atelier located in Lincoln Park. As a graduate of Harrington College of Designs interior architecture program, Amy was involved with Harrington's Competition Studio which focused on Restaurant and Hospitality projects. Amy and her husband Aaron reside in the East Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.
Aubrey Manson (Assistant Showroom Manager)
Aubrey graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Northern Illinois University in Fall of 2010. Her showroom position enables her to utilize her talents in developing presentations for a restaurant’s artistic vision and creating visual displays throughout the showroom. She has been well versed in this industry for nearly 20 years. In her freetime, she pursues many different hobbies including painting, concert going, fine dining, volunteering at art galleries, & gardening.
