Vollrath Company today announced a series of changes to its North American sales organization, reflecting the company’s commitment to evolving its team and building on the momentum of recent years.

After decades of exceptional service, Jill VanMenxel and Alain Goyette will retire this spring. Their leadership, contributions, and dedication have left an enduring mark on the company’s growth and culture.

Jill joined Vollrath in 2005 and rose through the ranks to become Director of Sales for Smallwares and Countertop Equipment, overseeing a $300 million portfolio. She was instrumental in building key customer relationships. Jill also founded the company’s Sales Trainee Program and was a founding member of Women in Foodservice Equipment and Supplies (WFES).

Alain retired after 28 years with Vollrath, including the last 15 as Regional Sales Manager for Canada. He has been a driving force behind the success of the Canadian sales team, earning respect across the organization for his deep expertise, steady leadership, and collaborative spirit. He leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and strong partnerships.

As Vollrath thanks Jill and Alain for their extraordinary service, the company is also pleased to welcome several new team members who bring diverse experience and fresh perspectives to the organization:

Joining as Channel Sales Manager, Karl Hinkfuss brings over 22 years of experience from Kohler, where he held 10 roles across five cities and two countries. His background spans sales, marketing, product development, and international expansion. Notably, he led Kohler’s largest-ever faucet placement at The Home Depot and launched the company’s first national sink program at Costco. While based in Asia Pacific, Karl established e-commerce operations across eight new markets.

Jackie Palzkill joins as Senior Sales Account Manager, taking on key account responsibilities for a strategic account within the Vollrath portfolio. She comes from Johnson Controls, where she led Sales Development and Inside Sales teams. Jackie holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University and brings a data-driven, customer-focused mindset to her new role.

Rich Desmond steps into the role of Sales Account Manager, bringing over 20 years of experience in the foodservice industry, spanning both food and equipment. He has led major operational efforts, including sales coordination for the PGA Tour Championship and FedEx Cup. Rich is also active in community service through Habitat for Humanity and brings a unique background that includes time as a stand-up comedian, opening for the likes of Tim Allen and Jimmy Walker.

Scott Porter also joins Vollrath as a Sales Account Manager. A classically trained chef with over 30 years of experience in the culinary field, Scott holds the Certified Chef de Cuisine designation through the American Culinary Federation, earned a master’s degree in food science in 2007, and has opened or consulted on 37 restaurants across Canada. He also made appearances on various Food Network shows between 2017–2020, offering a unique blend of operational insight and culinary expertise.

“These transitions reflect the natural evolution of a high-performing organization,” said Chris Kelm, Vollrath's vice president of Sales. “We’re incredibly grateful to Jill and Alain for their legacy of leadership, and excited about the energy and ideas Karl, Jackie, Rich, and Scott bring to our sales team. We look forward to everyone meeting the team at NRA.”

For more information about Vollrath and its team, visit www.vollrathfoodservice.com.

About Vollrath Foodservice

Vollrath Foodservice is a global leader in foodservice equipment and supplies that offers an expansive portfolio of award-winning, premium-quality commercial foodservice equipment including serving systems and components, countertop equipment and smallwares. Primarily produced and assembled in the United States, Vollrath’s products are manufactured to exacting quality standards globally, backed by outstanding customer service and extensive educational resources. For more details, visit vollrathfoodservice.com.