About Us

Serving customers across a wide range of industries

From healthcare and hospitality to leisure and senior living—Avendra Group’s portfolio of companies offer best-in-class contracts and procurement solutions to help customers realize the highest value from our programs and services.

Our deep network of procurement specialists help advance and manage supply chain initiatives, providing organizations with the resources they need to succeed.

Thoughtful Solutions

Avendra Group knows procurement and the intricacies of the supply chain and uses this know-how to help customers make more informed decisions. Leveraging a wide range of procurement approaches, Avendra Group puts the intelligent use of scale to work to optimize the supply chain solutions that drive suppliers and customers forward.

A Strategic Partner

Serving customers in multiple market segments and regions, Avendra Group’s supply chain specialists are in line with the latest changes and adaptations in the ever-evolving markets we serve. Avendra Group has the industry’s strongest experts, who work across verticals, understand the nuances of customer needs and collaborate with suppliers to bring unique solution pairings to life. 

Insight-Driven Outcomes

Avendra Group’s innovative tools and programs help customers maintain smooth operations and solve key challenges such as reducing risk and liability, supply chain management, menu creation, online ordering, and more. We proactively compile information on buying decision patterns, helping customers and suppliers see trends and create action steps to affect their bottom line.

Serving under Avendra Group and leading its GPOs are the industry’s foremost procurement and supply chain experts

Vice President European Group Purchasing

Ian Murphy
Vice President and General Manager, CPS/Quasep/GESPRA

Brian Emmerton
Kirk Hess
Managing Director of Operations, HPSI

Kirk D. Hess
Vice President & Assistant General Counsel

Blase Iaconelli
Executive Director, IPS

Suzanne Kirch
SVP Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

Chip McIntyre
Vice President of Finance, Global Supply Chain & Procurement

Amy L. Mellides
President, Avendra

Walt Sheffler

Vice President European Group Purchasing

Ian Murphy

As Senior Vice President of European Group Purchasing, Ian manages operations for Avendra Europe as well as overseeing the Aramark European Supply Chain. Based in London, UK, Ian has 19 years’ experience in supply chain management since joining the business in April 2023. Ian previously served as Managing Director of Foodbuy UK & Ireland, the procurement & GPO division of Compass Group. Ian is married with 2 young children and has a keen interest in golf.

Vice President and General Manager, CPS/Quasep/GESPRA

Brian Emmerton

As Vice President and General Manager for the inaugural procurement division, Brian manages a team across Canada to provide tools and procurement solutions that help our clients enrich and nourish lives. As a Registered Dietitian, Brian has over 25 years of Nutrition and management expertise working with customers, manufacturers, and industry stakeholders to drive innovation and health and wellness for healthcare and hospitality industries.

Kirk Hess

Managing Director of Operations, HPSI

Kirk D. Hess

As Managing Director, Kirk works with purchasing consultants across the U.S. to promote the HPSI program and is motivated by finding savings for members and building relationships. He has been with HPSI for more than 15 years and is a member of CAHF (California Association of Healthcare Facilities), Aging Services of California, ALFA (Assisted Living Federation of America) and CALA (California Assisted Living Association).

Vice President & Assistant General Counsel

Blase Iaconelli

As Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, Blase is responsible for providing operational legal advice to Aramark’s Global Procurement and Supply Chain Management organization which includes the Avendra Group companies (Avendra, HPSI, CPS, QUASEP, Trinity, Pelican, IPS) as well as intellectual property and alcoholic beverage compliance legal advice to the Aramark enterprise. Previously, Blase has led the legal teams in support of several of Aramark’s food and facilities managed services operations. Prior to joining Aramark/Avendra, Blase practiced law in New York at Dechert LLP and Alston & Bird. Blase holds both his J.D. and B.A. from the University of Virginia.

Executive Director, IPS

Suzanne Kirch

As Executive Director, Suzanne works with the IPS Team to promote the IPS program to K-12 and other various segments. She is motivated by her team that works together to find savings and rebates for all IPS members. She has been with IPS since its inception starting as the Finance Manager and eventually taking over as Executive Director.

SVP Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

Chip McIntyre

As Senior Vice President, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement, Chip oversees the contracting and supplier management functions across the Avendra Group portfolio. In this role, Chip manages a team of procurement experts responsible for managing more than 1,500 contracts and over $14 billion in spend. Previously, Chip served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Sourcing at Avendra. At Avendra, he oversaw all contracting and supplier management functions including process improvement and analytical support. Prior to Avendra, Chip spent seven years consulting for Fortune 200 companies, including A.T. Kearney and the Boston Consulting Group where he led projects in strategic sourcing and supply chain optimization. Chip also spent several years with Cadbury, plc., where he led the team responsible for Cadbury’s procurement in North and South America.

Vice President of Finance, Global Supply Chain & Procurement

Amy L. Mellides

As the Vice President of Finance, Amy leads a range of finance functions, including the finance and accounting team for Avendra Group. Her scope of responsibility includes accounting, internal audit, financial planning and analysis, data management, and contract administration, planning and support. Since joining Aramark as a campus hire in 1998, Amy has held numerous roles of increasing responsibility through the organization in field operations, field finance, and corporate finance.

President, Avendra

Walt Sheffler

As President, Walt oversees Avendra’s Hospitality business segment and is responsible for leading and directing all sales efforts, exploring new Hospitality related business opportunities, strategically directing our client service operations and perpetually increasing client satisfaction. Walt began his career with Marriott International, where he held positions of increasing responsibility in Hotel Operations, Corporate Finance and Corporate Procurement. Before joining Avendra as a charter member, he was Vice President of Procurement for Marriott International, responsible for food and beverage procurement activities worldwide.