Forgione Associates Joins A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing of Windham, NH announced today that the company has reached an agreement with Forgione Associates, Inc. of Maspeth, New York, MA to acquire their business. Forgione Associates has been a strong, recognized player in the Foodservice and Wholesale Cash and Carry Supply industry in New York, New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania. Owners Richard Forgione, Theresa Forgione and John Brunhard agreed to the deal that would transition ownership of Forgione Associates to A.J. Letizio effective January 1, 2021 and merge the two organizations.

Richard Forgione started Forgione Associates in 1987 having begun his foodservice career in the 1960’s when he and family members owned and operated six fast food outlets. Forgione went on to the manufacturing business, operating three facilities producing ice cream cones, syrups, toppings, and candy. In 1987, Forgione sold his manufacturing businesses and along with wife Theresa Forgione, ventured into the Food Brokerage business starting Forgione Associates. Theresa and Richard grew their Brokerage business over the decades with Theresa overseeing Customer Service and developing sales to broadline distribution. John Brunhard joined Forgione Associates as a managing partner in 2014 after a distinguished career beginning with his family owned and operated restaurant in Brooklyn, a tour as a US Marine and serving in sales management capacities for Consolidated Brands, Boyer Candy Co. and American Almond Products. Since joining Forgione, John’s focus has been in developing sales with Distributors, Multi-Unit Accounts and Operators.

After many years of service to the industry, Richard and Theresa Forgione and John Brunhard will be transitioning their company’s operations to the A.J. Letizio family. In the combined organization, A.J. Letizio has named John Brunhard Director of its Wholesales Cash & Carry Business. Letizio has also named foodservice industry professionals Tony Salzone as Regional Director in Metro New York, Tom Curry as Regional Corporate Chef/Account Manager and has named Diana Ammirati to lead the A.J. Letizio Metro New York Headquarters Office.

The team at A.J. Letizio share a common legacy of very “family style” personalized service in the food industry with the Forgione team. The Letizio family traces its century old origins in the food business to the family’s Italian market in Lawrence, MA in 1912. Al Letizio Jr., CEO of A.J. Letizio, comments, “The foundation of any company is in its soul and it was evident right away that the soul of the Forgione organization is a perfect match with that of the A.J. Letizio Family.” “Coming together with this great organization is a natural fit, said A.J. Letizio President Bob Tessitore.” The merger accomplishes another key strategic objective for the Letizio organization in its 20-year strategic plan. The establishment of a new regional headquarters in New York City supports A.J. Letizio’s new Foodservice Team and strong new presence in New York, New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing is a Super Regional Sales Agency that will celebrate its 33rd year in operation in 2021. As Windham New Hampshire’s largest private employer, A.J. Letizio and its staff members operate out of their newly opened award-winning national headquarters in Windham, its recently opened Parlin New Jersey regional headquarters and now from their New York City regional headquarters. A.J. Letizio’s Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods Division provides service throughout the Eastern United States and its Foodservice & Disposable Goods Division operates in the Northeast United States.