Ed's skills and inherent talents are a blessing for all of us at SHFB. He always seems to know, whether he is with a client, employee or friend, when to offer his leadership, motivation, a bit of levity, or compassion. He is one of the hardest working forward thinkers in our office. His life story illuminates what brought him to SHFB.

Born and raised in Wallingford, CT, Ed graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1965.

His food industry career began in central Connecticut as a sales clerk and stock boy. He later took a position with ITT Continental Baking Co., as a route sales person selling Hostess Cakes and Wonder Bread. During this period, Ed attended Middlesex College, Middletown, CT, where he earned a degree in Business Management and Marketing. Upon graduating in 1969, he secured a position with Drake Bakeries for the next 18 years. This time proved invaluable as he honed his people skills via positions of: vacation relief driver, route supervisor, Branch Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager of New England and finally, Vice President of Sales at the Wayne, NJ headquarters from 1989-90.

In 1990, Ed and his family moved to South Florida where he spent 5 years with Hercules Distributing Co. During this time, he learned the lay of the land, met people in new aspects of the food industry, and increased his knowledge of the marketplace. He realized that ultimately his next step was out on his own.

Blue Chip Brokerage was formed in 1995. Having most of his experience on one side of the trade table i.e., working for vendors and distributors, Ed was entering new ground as the broker’s liaison to the food trade. His first principal was Wing It, Inc., of Stoughton, MA, which produces a Buffalo style chicken sauce. He acquired this first principal, by writing a letter of inquiry to Wing-It President Steve Robinson, asking if he might be looking for a broker in Florida. When the answer came back affirmative, Ed met with and secured a distributor to carry the sauce, and bingo, Ed was ready to rock and roll.
On his own, he would go in to the stores on weekends to conduct demos in the hope of building business and moving the product. Because of time he spent at the “store level” he became a comrade to another side of the food trade and soon, everyone was talking to him and about him [building an outstanding reputation]. Principals started calling HIM! He needed help.

Enter Dottie. Married since 1966, Dottie and Eddie are childhood sweethearts. Dottie was eager to help Ed follow his dream. Dot went back to school, earned a degree as a licensed Massage Therapist, which helped support the couple during their early years of Blue Chip and pitched in with administrative duties without a computer. Says Ed about their success, “It wouldn’t have been possible without her (Dot's) support”.

In February of 1998, Ed and Gary met officially to work on a special project together; there was instant chemistry thus the formation of their company, November 1, 1998.

If you cannot reach Ed on his cell phone, he is probably hitting the links or fly-fishing.