Sarah Sanders
Purchasing and Marketing Director
Family small business was instilled in Sarah from an early age. From the age of four, she would visit the farms to collect the eggs and repack them for her father’s milk run. After School, she would then sit on the back of the truck and help deliver milk to the doorsteps of local families. In the years to follow Sarah’s parents were successful Hoteliers, and it is her she learnt most of her business skills watching and aiding her parents, in all facets. In 1995 her parents left hospitality and entered the Food distribution industry. After building this business up, Sarah and partners sold the business in 2005 with Sarah staying on with the new owners for over 10 years. Sarah’s knowledge of the foodservice industry over the last two and half decades is quite extensive, having worked for two leading foodservice companies and in varying roles from sales, purchasing and importing. In 2016 Sarah took the opportunity to relocate to the North Coast with her family and open as an independent local foodservice wholesaler and deliver what she knows best, great service and produce.
Maree Wall
Admin Telesales
Maree have worked in administration for over 30 years carrying out various roles that include Reception, Customer Service, Dispatch, Complaints, Accounts Payable and Receivable. After meeting her husband in Parkes 6 years ago, she moved to Sandy Beach where we got married at Sandy Beach foreshore 4 years ago. Now a Coffs Harbour local, Maree spends her time regularly visiting her son and his partner and 3 grandchildren and in her spare time goes motorbike riding, kayaking and walking.
Helen Chadderton
Admin Telesales
Glenn Cooper
Territory Manager
Glenn has a strong history in Food service in the Port Macquarie region. Starting his career in Hotels, Glenn moved to the wholesale supply chain in the 90’s working with local restaurants, clubs, pubs and cafes. Glenn has a broad knowledge of Food Service with many existing relationships along with a great track record of giving customers value for money alongside excellent customer service.
Ash Borthwick
Purchasing & Inventory
I started working in the Food Service Industry in 2010 as a nightshift storeman. From their I progressed into Inventory Control & Purchasing. When returning from overseas travels November 2018. I immediately jumped at the chance to join The Provedores team.
I started working in the Food Service Industry in 2010 as a nightshift storeman. From their I progressed into Inventory Control & Purchasing. When returning from overseas travels November 2018. I immediately jumped at the chance to join The Provedores team.
Ron Walker
Managing Director
Ron comes from a background initially in Commercial Management, before moving into the hospitality industry where he owned and operated, with partners, 4 Hotels. These included popular local Hotels, the Hoey Moey and Plantation.Ron’s Food Service career started in 1995 when he, along with partners Michael & Jenny Rowles, started Coffs Provedores. They grew this business to become the dominant player in the Coffs Harbour region, before selling to Bidvest in 2005. Ron carried on as General Manager of that business until 2013. This was followed by a period of semi-retirement, during which Ron completed several contract projects for Bidvest and others.In October 2016, along with partners Sarah & Paul Sanders, he started The Provedores Pty Ltd.
Leo O Carroll
Sales Territory Manager
Lee’s hospitality career spans over 30 years, completing his chef certificate in Sydney restaurants and hotels, before moving to the UK and working for the Guinness (beer) family. Returning back to Australia Lee travelled the continent working in premium hotels and fine dining establishments catering to all levels of food service, and finally settling in Coffs Harbour, finding his place at the highly awarded Bonville Golf Resort and Flooded Gums Restaurant.Lee’s Food service experience brings to The Provedores a wealth of knowledge as well as long standing, trusted relationships with customers. He has built a reputation of providing the best advice and great service along with a broad product knowledge.
Jacqui Fruean
Admin Telesales
Don Cummings
Produce Shot
Don Cummings is The Provedores very own Fine Food expert. With a background in fine-dining, his career working in the Australian specialist food industry now spans more than 20 years, curating world-class offerings within Sydney’s top high-end restaurants including Aria, Hilton, Tetsuya’s, Quay and Sepia along with leading caterers such as Qantas, Virgin Airlines, Stadium Australia and many more. Don is also a long-time artisan food industry expert and has helped build brands such as Woodside Cheese Wrights, Meredith Dairy, Yarra Valley Dairy, Alto Olives, Pepe Saya butter, Petuna Salmon & Ocean Trout and many more. He forged his incredible knowledge base during extensive travels across Europe and America, connecting with the world’s leading experts in food production, export and appreciation. Now a Coffs Coast local, he now consults with leading restaurants and food outlets from Newcastle to Byron Bay, connecting chefs with local and international artisans.
Zac Hawke
Purchasing
Paul Sanders
Sales Director
Paul started his career in Sydney as an apprentice Chef, working in Sydney in Hotels, Restaurants and Catering companies. From there he formed his own catering company, contracting to several Clubs and Pubs before moving into Food Manufacturing, and more specifically providing Soups and Sauces for the Hospitality industry.Paul then made his way into sales, working in the smallgoods industry before joining a multinational company supplying cooking oils and other commodity products. In this role Paul was servicing a wide range of national and regional customers. Paul then decided on a sea change, moving with his family to Coffs Harbour, where his wife Sarah grew up, to start, along with his wife and Ron Walker, The Provedores.Paul is a firm believer in listening to what the customer wants and not telling the customer what they want. Paul also values the local community and supporting local businesses in the region wherever possible.
Erika Koolloos
Sales
Erika started her career in hospitality over 30 years ago, starting as an apprentice chef before gaining her chef qualifications and becoming a restaurant manager in a large Sydney club.
She then travelled the world and worked as a personal chef to a family in London for nearly 2 years before returning to Australia. Erika worked as an exec chef at a top golf club in Sydney before relocating to Yamba, to raise a family. Whilst raising the family, Erika also had the catering contract in a local club for 4 years.
Erika then moved into Food Service sales, as a sales rep for Coffs Provedores. Erika stayed with this business through massive growth and change of ownership to a large National Company, becoming Sales Manager. During this time Erika was nominated for Sales Representative of the year for two years running.
Erika’s next career move was to another National Food Service distributor as Business Development Manager, where she worked for 4 years. She then had a brief break and poured a few beers at her local. Erika is proud to be back doing what she is so passionate about working for Ron, Sarah and Paul.
Nigel Mann
Accounts
Chris Edwards
Sales Territory Manager
Chris comes from a background in hospitality working in Sydney Hotels and Restaurants along with managing his family’s hotel and motel business in regional NSW, before moving into commercial property sales. After this he travelled around Europe and met his lovely wife, having three children and deciding to settle back in Coffs Harbour where he grew up. Chris with his professional yet jovial attitude has an in depth knowledge of the food service business, and is always available to give sound advice and provide value for money ideas. He prides himself on looking after his loyal customers to the best of his ability with his strong communication skills.
Jason Borthwick
Sales and Meat Specialist
Jason is a local boy through and through living with his family in the seaside town of Scotts Head, you may have met Jason at some point if you have worked in foodservice on the mid-north coast. Jason’s career in the industry spans many decades, being a butcher by trade his knowledge of meat and seafood is extensive. In his leisure time Jason enjoys Surfing, Fishing, Music and Cricket as well as spending time with his now grown up children.