The Commercial Food Equipment Service Association (CFESA, the trade group for commercial kitchen equipment service providers) seated its 2026-2027 board on Sept. 30, closing its Annual Conference in Lake Geneva, Wis. TJ Coker of Coker Service takes the presidency. The conference ran Sept. 27-30.

Coker's election puts a multi-generational service firm operator at the top of the association at a moment when equipment uptime carries direct labor and revenue consequences for operators. Robert Harris of Smart Care Solutions and Loretta Mealer of Austin Mealer's Restaurant Equipment Service join as vice presidents. Angela Petitti of Gary's East Coast Service takes the secretary post.

The full slate, confirmed during the conference's governance sessions:

• President: TJ Coker, Coker Service
• Vice presidents: Robert Harris, Smart Care Solutions; Loretta Mealer, Austin Mealer's Restaurant Equipment Service
• Secretary: Angela Petitti, Gary's East Coast Service

What does the board change mean for operators?

Not much, immediately. CFESA board composition matters to restaurant operators indirectly: the association sets training standards and certification expectations for the independent service technicians who repair ovens, fryers and refrigeration under service contracts.

Who sits on the board shapes which competencies get prioritized — manufacturer relationships, parts distribution, technician certification. For multi-unit operators, that translates to repair turnaround times and the cost per service call, both of which sit inside the maintenance line rather than food cost or labor percentage.

The conference also included an awards program recognizing member companies and individuals, per the association's announcement.

Coker's two-year term runs through the association's 2027 cycle. Expect the new board's first visible moves at CFESA's winter meetings, where committee assignments and certification agenda items typically take shape.