John L. Breznikar, CEO, President

John Breznikar attended the Santa Clara University and received his B.S. degree in Business Administration and Finance in 1972. Following graduation, John purchased Commercial Food Equipment Co., which he operated through 1980 until joining East Bay Restaurant Supply, Inc.

In 1988, John became President of East Bay Restaurant Supply, Inc. He helped the company's transition from first to second generation and to become one of the prominent foodservice equipment dealerships in California.

As CEO and President of East Bay Restaurant Supply, Inc. today, John is actively transitioning the company to the third generation. He is a proud father of five children and a current member of the Executive Committee of Equipment Distributors, Inc., an industry group to which East Bay belongs.

Lou Breznikar, Vice President

Lou Breznikar started working full time at East Bay Restaurent Supply in 1972. Lou ran the Oakland showroom floor and purchasing department until 1988 when he became Vice President.

Currently Lou is known as our "Chief Knowledge Officer" and Vice President. Lou makes sure East Bay keeps up with product changes and makes sure we are price competitive.

Lou is a proud father of two daughters. Both daughters currently work for the company.

Joseph P. Goralka, CPA, CFO

Joe Goralka manages company finances, sets accounting practices and directs strategic planning. As lead financial executive, Joe oversees the accounting and finance groups and determines policy with senior department staff to safe guard assets, to analyze operating results and to generate sustainable growth. Joe's team strives to provide accounting services, from day-to-day operations to strategic planning, with a strong customer service focus.

Joe is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Prior to joining the East Bay team, Joe held executive roles in both public accounting and private industry, including owner / stockholder of an East Bay CPA firm for thirteen years and CFO of an East Bay real estate development company for seven years.  Joe has a B.S. degree in accounting from Santa Clara University and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs, the California Society of CPAs, Financial Executives International and the Oakland Rotary Club.

Jonathan Breznikar, Construction Manager

Jonathan was born into the foodservice industry. During his teenage years Jonathan worked many summers in the warehouse assembling products and making deliveries. After graduating from the University of San Diego in 1992, he returned to East Bay to run the Oakland showroom.

While working at East Bay during the day, Jonathan attended San Francisco Law School at night. In 1997, Jonathan passed the California Bar Exam and after a three-year stint with the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, he decided it was time to return to the family business. Since his return he has developed one of the best construction departments in the foodservice industry.

Howard Cantrell, Director of Purchasing

Howard started his foodservice career working as a warehouse person when he was 20 years old. He started with EBRS in 1997 as a floor salesperson. Howard quickly worked his way up to floor sales manager. Today he is the Director of Purchasing. He is always looking for new ideas and new products to help better serve our customers. If you would like to see us carry something we currently do not or more of something we currently do carry feel free to call him directly with your ideas.

Stephen A. Finney, Showroom & Floor Sales Manager, Oakland

Stephen has been with East Bay Restaurant Supply for 29 years and is currently responsible for overseeing sales for our walk-in traffic in our 70,000 sq. ft. showroom. His staff calls on restaurants, markets and stores in the 9 bay area counties as well as residential customers. Stephen also organizes our showroom's monthly equipment demos, special holiday sales and East Bay's annual expo sale, in which he works closely with our purchasing and advertising departments to bring all of our customers exceptional values and customer satisfaction.

Stephen had attended Hobart Dealer and Hobart Advanced Dealer School, Frymaster/Dean Product Knowledge Workshop Certificate and Enodis University. He is SerSafe Certified Equipment Specialist.

David J. Garland, Chain Accounts-Manager

David Garland joined EBRS in July of 1998 as the first Southern Nevada sales representative.  After a 1 year term and a previous 9 year tenure with a local Las Vegas dealership, he felt it was time for a change.  With an opportunity for a position at the Oakland showroom, David left for the Bay Area to work within the EBRS floor sales division.

While there David quickly moved up to Assistant Floor Manager then on to a Design and Build consulting/estimating position which finally lead him to the Manager of the Chain division in 2003. David quickly realized his unmatched customer service with a much needed pro-active approach to the needs of the Chain community created the perfect partner for any size chain.  His departments continued growth and strong reputation for service has kept EBRS at the forefront of building and re-supplying hundreds of new locations year after year.

David's extensive and diverse hands-on experience is a guarantee he will dive right into your exciting concept... becoming "one with your brand"!

David is ServSafe certified, AutoQuotes trained, multiple major foodservice manufacturer schooled, authorized EBRS project manager and AutoCAD friendly.

Debbie George, Territory Manager

Debbie started with East Bay in April of 1996.  She quickly became one of the top salespeople in the company.  Debbie went on to establish a relationship with one of East Bay's largest customers and as Territory Manager she continues to build on that relationship.

Since becoming Territory Manager in 1998, Debbie has developed one of the top sales staffs in the industry.  She requires her staff to attend factory training, monthly new product training, and they also attend yearly trade shows such as NAFEM and NRA.

Debbie's knowledge of the foodservice industry allows her to be able to work to any customer, no matter your budget, to have your tabletops look great.  When it's time to switch out your flatware, glassware, and china or you would like consultation on your new restaurant's front of the house appearance contact Debbie and her team.

Carolyn Kumpe, EBRS Chef, Sacramento

The Culinary Center at East Bay Restaurant Supply in Sacramento is currently headed by Chef Carolyn Kumpe. Chef Carolyn Kumpe's culinary career spans over 30 years, most of which were spent in the kitchens of many of the Bay Area's three star restaurants: Zuni Café, Bizou, Liberty Café and Woodward's Garden then graduating to the Sous Chef at Bistro Ralph in Healdsburg and the Woodside Village Pub. Always ready for a challenge, Carolyn served as opening chef of The Slow Club, along with creating Tisane, a trend setting "Salon du The" picked by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the top four places for afternoon tea in San Francisco. Carolyn has shared her enthusiasm for food by participating as a culinary instructor with the Draeger's Cooking School in Menlo Park and Tony Mathews "Fine Goods for Fine Living" in Placerville.

Inspired by the bounties of perfectly fresh and sustainable produce in El Dorado County, Chef Carolyn opened Charlotte's Bake Shoppe of El Dorado with much acclaim. The residents of El Dorado County voted "Charlottes' Best Desserts" in 2005. And then in December 2005, Charlotte's Bake Shoppe was rated by Al Pierleoni of the Sacramento Bee as one of the Top Ten Places to eat an inexpensive lunch in the Sacramento area.

As a dedicated and passionate culinary professional, Carolyn continues to make her contributions by publishing recipes with the San Francisco Chronicle, Country Home Magazine, Sunset Magazine and the Sacramento Bee. She is a member of the Slow Food Society and the International Association of Women Chefs. Carolyn is asked to participate in numerous appearances on CW31 "Good Day Sacramento" and Channel 10 "Sacramento & Company".

Dave Lee, Installation/Service Manager

David Lee joined the California Cooking as a General Manager in 2006, after working with East Bay Restaurant Supply for many years as an outside sub-contractor. He has been supporting the sales and contract departments by installing remote refrigeration systems, walk-ins, and ice makers from his family owned business.

David received a mechanical engineering degree from UC-Berkeley prior to joining the family business. After graduation, he spent 10 years as an aerospace engineer and a tool designer. He brings 20 years experience in management of small and large construction and refrigeration projects, with a business owner's prospective of keeping costs to a minimum for the customer.

With experienced staff of technicians in both Oakland and Sacramento, California Cooking has the ability to react to the customer's changing schedules and critical needs while delivering the highest quality workmanship.

David is EPA Certified Universal Refrigeration Technician and a Licensed Refrigeration Contractor.

Larry LaGrave, Design & Build Manager

As a young boy, Larry accompanied his father to East Bay Restaurant Supply many times. Little did he know that his vocation in life would be so directly linked with this fascinating store.

Having grown up in the food service industry, Larry brings a background of practical experience in every aspect of the industry, from operations to full service design. After college, Larry gain valuable business management experience working as a manufacturer representative.

In 1986, East Bay Restaurant Supply and Larry embarked on a journey that began with him helping customers on the floor, picking out everything from china to choosing the best equipment for a particular task. Soon after, he was promoted to the Design & Build Department that he now manages. His many duties include acting as a liaison between our in-house Design team and the customers, helping to create the restaurant of your dreams, and making sure it is completed on time and on budget.

If you have questions regarding the development of any food service project, please contact us. No job is too large or too small.

Carly Garland, Institutional Sales Manager

Carly started her career at East Bay in 1998. She began in our customer service division. After mastering the art of customer satisfaction, she moved up to become East Bay's school equipment sales account representative. Carly quickly increased sales in that market and has done so every year. She has more than tripled sales in her division; while maintaining the highest levels of customer satisfaction. She credits her extensive product knowledge in institutional kitchen equipment and her customer service background as the key's to her success. She has made a name for herself and for East Bay across the country in the institutional kitchen equipment sales market.

Carly is currently the manager of the Institutional Sales Division at East Bay and is responsible for the sales and marketing of the Correctional, School and Healthcare markets.

Carly is factory trained at Vulcan, Hobart, Frymaster, Crescor and Enodis University. She is Serve Safe Certified and is an active CSNA committee member.

Larry McCaskie, E-Commerce Sales Manager

Larry McCaskie is the E-Commerce Sales Manager for EBRS online store - ChefsFirst. Joining the company in 2002 as a food service equipment consultant, Larry soon took charge of the company's Internet sales business.

Larry and his staff work very hard to understand the online ordering and resource needs of you - our customers. If you are looking for a knowledgeable and straight-forward online sales representative to help you with your restaurant equipment and supply needs, call his helpful and experienced staff at ChefsFirst at (866) 930-2433 or (866) 930-CHEF.

Larry had attended Hobart School, Enodis University and Frymaster/Dean product knowledge workshop.

Dave Peterson, Retail Account Manager

Dave recently joined East Bay Restaurant Supply as their "retail guru". With over 30 years of retail management, including 8 years at Safeway and more recently, 3 years at DPI Specialty Foods as the Regional Sales Manager and Safeway Account Executive, Dave is responsible for growing EBRS' retail business with a focus on the supermarket and C-Store industry.

Dave's wealth of retail experience, 4 years of marketing at San Jose State University, and his passion for sales, provides a perfect platform for his "fresh approach" to the food service industry. Coupled with his understanding of the daily challenges, critical business issues, and obstacles at the retail level, Dave's customers have already expressed their excitement that Dave can talk "retail"!

While all companies large and small are trying to balance their energy needs with the expectations of their environmentally conscious customers; Dave will help develop your "energy plan" with smart equipment choices that can provide immediate benefits such as "energy efficiency rebates, lower costs, and increased profits."

As grocery, C-Store, and Big Box retailers continue their rapid expansion into "fresh & prepared food offerings"; Dave looks forward to meeting with your team to develop an innovative retail plan that will differentiate your business in this highly competitive marketplace, and contribute to your continued business success.

Jim Tressler, Showroom & Floor Sales Manager, Sacramento

Jim Tressler joined EBRS in May of 1997 and started on the sales floor as a salesman. He was promoted to sales manager in July of 1997. Over the next few years, Jim increased floor sales. Jim left EBRS for a short time and returned joining the contract department. He worked there for four years before the opportunity of sales manager opened up in a new location in Sacramento.

The Sacramento store provides the same level of service and product as the Oakland store including a fully stocked showroom, design services, installation of equipment, refrigeration and warranty. Jim and his staff pride themselves on service and providing their customers with what they need.