Meet the Team

Dan Hill is a global distribution executive with $1+ billion sales and operations leadership experience and over 20 years of global sales, marketing, eCommerce, technology, operations, merger & acquisition, and P&L experience.

Currently, Dan is the CEO of Ferraro Foods, the largest Italian food service distributor in the United States at $1.3B+ in revenue. Revered for bringing tremendous quality, value, and service to over 8,000 customers across 23 states, Ferraro Foods is backed by Kelso & Company, the leading partnership-based private equity firm.

Formerly, Dan was the CEO of Würth Industry North America (WINA) and EVP of the Würth Group, the world’s largest industrial distributor ($24B). During his time with Würth, Dan delivered exceptional sales and profit growth during the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully managed the team through the crisis with robust communication and leadership—keeping 2,600 employees safe while transitioning to a productive remote work environment. He also presided over strategic partnerships with suppliers, leading innovation in the industry by partnering with the leading industrial 3D printer manufacturer and launching the world’s first digital Kanban solution featuring an on-demand digital vendor management system.

Before Würth, Dan was the President of Newark Electronics, a division of Premier Farnell ($1.3B), and a member of Farnell senior executive team. Dan grew Newark revenue by double digits, drove online penetration up 15%, and increased operating profit from sub 3% to 8.8%. He helped lead the sale of Newark/Premier Farnell for $907 million, becoming Avnet’s largest acquisition in October 2016. He was also named a member of the Avnet senior leadership team.

Previous to Newark, Dan was General Manager of Crescent Electric Supply Company and responsible for a $1B+ P&L and 140+ national branches.

An entrepreneurial and transformational leader in the distribution industry, he has exceptional experience developing and implementing a transferable process-driven business model across multi-site organizations, including eight years with one of the world’s leading digital industrial conglomerates, GE.

He devotes his free time to his wife and four children, as well as his interests in the outdoors. Dan is President and CEO of the Dan Hill Sr. Memorial Fund. He also serves on the Board at Andrews Osborne Academy as Vice Chair and member of the Finance Committee. Dan is the founder of Hill Creek Farm, a producer of 100% pure Ohio maple syrup.

PJ Mingle brings over 20 years of extensive finance leadership experience to his role as Chief Financial Officer at Ferraro Foods. In his current capacity, PJ is responsible for overseeing the financial operations of the company, guiding its financial strategy, planning, and functions. He collaborates with the senior leadership team to drive growth and scale, aiming to achieve the company's long-range goals and objectives.

PJ’s executive leadership experience spans both public and private equity-owned firms, demonstrating expertise in driving strategic financial execution, M&A activity, revenue growth, initiative realization, team and leadership development, and post-acquisition financial integration.

Prior to joining Ferraro Foods, PJ served as the CFO of HD Supply, overseeing a P&L responsibility for $6 billion in annual revenue. Under his leadership, the successful integration within The Home Depot occurred, identifying and executing $200 million in annual synergies. This achievement, coupled with driving record revenue growth and exceeding EBITDA plan in the first year post-acquisition, showcases PJ's exceptional financial acumen.

PJ's finance career includes senior roles at Home Depot Pro and Interline Brands in their maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) wholesale distribution business. He gained additional financial experience at renowned organizations such as the Walt Disney Company, Johnson & Johnson, and Brinker Capital.

PJ holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Drexel University and a master’s degree in business administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, highlighting his commitment to academic excellence.

Beyond his professional pursuits, PJ finds joy in spending time with his family and attempting to keep up with the activities of his three young children, grounding his life in the values of family and personal fulfillment.

Robert Lehman is the Chief Merchandising and Purchasing Officer at Ferraro Foods, where he oversees and leads the merchandising and purchasing functions. With 18 years of working experience, including 14 years in the food service industry, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.

In his current position, Robert is responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for product selection, pricing, and inventory management. He collaborates with sales, marketing, and finance teams to ensure a cohesive and profitable merchandising strategy. A key aspect of his role involves building relationships with suppliers, negotiating contracts, and optimizing the procurement process to secure high-quality products at competitive prices. His ultimate goal is to drive sales, maximize profit margins, and maintain a strong and marketable product assortment.

Robert's guiding principles and values are centered around trust and integrity. He sets high standards for himself and his team, always striving for continuous improvement. These values enable him to develop and execute strategic plans that surpass corporate goals and initiatives.

Outside of work, Robert is deeply devoted to his family and embraces the challenge of personal and professional growth. With a relentless drive for success, he aims to create a life filled with purpose and achievement.

Danielle DeBoer brings nearly 20 years of comprehensive human resources expertise to her role as Chief Human Resources Officer at Ferraro Foods. In her current capacity, she strategically aligns human capital with organizational goals, fostering a culture of performance, talent development, and employee engagement to drive sustainable business success.

Danielle has made a significant impact on Ferraro Foods. She strategically implemented a performance management process, introduced a service anniversary program, revamped benefits, and emphasized talent as a core business priority. These initiatives have not only enhanced organizational effectiveness but have also contributed to elevated levels of employee satisfaction.

Prior to joining Ferraro Foods, Danielle spent 15 years at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where she held roles of increasing responsibility in all areas of Human Resources including Compensation & Benefits, Talent Management, and Business Partnering. Her most recent position was the Head of Human Resources for Novartis’ flagship Cell & Gene Manufacturing Site.

Danielle holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence and a foundation for her outstanding career achievements.

Outside of the office, Danielle is a proud 'boy mom,' and many evenings and weekends, you can find her cheering on the sidelines of a soccer field, bringing her infectious enthusiasm to support her children and embarrassing everyone around her in the best possible way.

Faris H. Faris, with 26 years of technology leadership, is Ferraro Foods' CIO overseeing multi-location technology operations, focusing on applications, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Experienced in strategically leveraging technologies and talent, Faris has been instrumental in initiatives related to Cyber-Security, ERP, WMS, CRM, AI, Web/e-Commerce, Customer Experience Improvements, VoIP telecommunication, M&A, and new facility builds.

In previous roles, Faris led technology operations at Thibaut, implementing INFOR CloudSuite Industrial and Factory Track, leveraging AI for advanced forecasting. At G&W Laboratories, he managed infrastructure supporting the Enterprise Oracle JDE ERP system. In various law firms, he provided strategic direction, managed IT departments, and implemented new infrastructure landscapes.

Beyond work, Faris values family time, outdoor activities, and continued learning through tech organizations. Residing in Bridgewater, NJ, Faris brings a wealth of technology expertise to Ferraro Foods, aligning its technological advancements with growth objectives.

With 38 years of rich experience in sales and sales management, Kevin Lindner serves as the Vice President of Sales Force Effectiveness at Ferraro Foods. In his role, Kevin is dedicated to providing support and training to ensure that all sales personnel have the necessary tools and training to operate at the highest possible level.

Kevin's extensive career includes over 20 years of dedicated service in the food service industry, where he has demonstrated his leadership capabilities by overseeing sales teams across various sectors, including Foodservice, Convenience Store, and Beverage. He has a proven track record of developing and delivering structured training programs within several organizations, highlighting his commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

Previously, Kevin held key roles at Ferraro Foods, serving as the Area Director of Sales for NYE/NJ/MD and as the District Sales Manager for NJ. In these capacities, he supported local sales teams in all aspects of their efforts, with a particular focus on training and development.

Beyond his professional achievements, Kevin is actively involved in his community as a Board member at a local Charter School in Philadelphia, contributing to the education of elementary and high school students. His personal interests include spending quality time with his wife, four sons, and three grandchildren – a grandson and two granddaughters. Kevin also enjoys golfing with friends and sons and has been a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association certified soccer referee for over 20 years.

Kevin considers himself fortunate to work in an industry he loves, with unwavering support from his family and alongside fantastic colleagues who have become lifelong friends. His passion for his work, commitment to community involvement, and dedication to family make him an integral part of the Ferraro Foods team.

Michael Cipriano is a reputable leader in foodservice distribution, serving as the Northeast Area President at Ferraro Foods. With over 30 years of industry experience, Michael oversees operations in Connecticut and has a proven track record of growing successful businesses in competitive environments.

Known for his strong relationships with vendors, employees, and customers, Michael fosters trust and collaboration, resulting in fruitful partnerships and enhanced customer satisfaction. His effective communication skills and commitment to employee development have solidified his reputation as an exceptional leader.

Michael's extensive experience spans sales, purchasing, and operations, providing him with a deep understanding of business dynamics. His expertise in construction and attention to detail have led to cost savings and streamlined operations.

Michael has been married to his wife Lynn for over 30 years, and they have two children, Rachel and Matthew. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, traveling, golfing, and vintage cars.

David Stansfield is the Southeast Area President at Ferraro Foods, responsible for serving customers and associates from 2 distribution centers in the Southeast. With 47 years of working experience and 43 years in the Food Service industry, David has made significant contributions to the field. He is a recipient of the J. L. Kraft Presidents award and has been recognized as the UniPro Distributor of the year. 

Throughout his career, David has successfully turned around 5 companies into profitable organizations. In his previous roles as President or COO of 7 operating companies in Foodservice, he was responsible for the financial, strategic, tactics, and cultural health of each operation. Under his leadership, all operations experienced growth and increased profitability. 

David's outside interests include building businesses and developing talent to impact people's lives for good. He has mentored and developed 7 current industry Presidents or higher roles. David has also served on several boards, including IFDA, UniPro, Distribution Marketing Advantage, Markon Produce, United Way, Young Life, and the Gwinnett Medical Foundation. 

Despite his professional success, David considers his greatest accomplishment in life to be his 40-year marriage, 3 children, and 6 grandchildren.

Raffaele Amato is the Corporate Vice President of Sales for Ferraro Foods, overseeing the Mid-Atlantic region, including New York East, New Jersey, and Maryland. With over 10 years of leadership experience at Ferraro Foods, Ralph has been instrumental in driving growth and strengthening relationships with key clients in the food service industry, particularly within the Italian food segment, in the power pizza states.

His hands-on approach and strategic vision have made him a trusted advisor to customers looking to elevate their Italian food offerings. From authentic ingredients to innovative product lines, Ralph has helped numerous clients succeed by leveraging Ferraro Foods' vast portfolio.

Ralph started his Food Service career with Roma Food and was promoted to DSM in 2005. In 2010 he was again promoted to Director of Sales until the acquisition of PFG in 2012 when he became Vice President of Sales. During this time, he refined his expertise in sales leadership, team development, and cultivating long-term vendor partnerships, especially in the Italian and specialty food sectors.

Outside of his professional life, Ralph enjoys spending quality time with his kids and relaxing at the beach. Ironically, despite working in the food industry, one of his favorite pastimes is indulging in pizza—a true testament to his love for the Italian food segment both on and off the clock.

Lauren Cardenales is a seasoned Vice President of Marketing with almost 20 years of diverse experience, beginning her career in environmental marketing before transitioning to food marketing in both retail and food service over the past decade. Lauren's expertise spans strategic planning, brand management, and innovative marketing campaigns that drive growth and customer engagement.

For the past 10 years, Lauren has focused on the food industry, where she has led marketing strategies for major retail and foodservice brands. Her work has included launching new products, revitalizing established brands, and creating compelling campaigns that resonate with consumers. Lauren excels at turning market insights into actionable strategies.

Lauren holds a degree in Communications from East Carolina University. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, especially engaging in water-related activities. Lauren also loves to spend quality time with family and friends and has a soft spot for dogs, making it a point to pet every dog she sees.

Pete McGraw brings 16 years of expertise to his role as Vice President of M&A and Integration at Ferraro Foods. In his current position, Pete is responsible for leading the acquisitions and integration of new partnerships into the Ferraro Foods family. Additionally, he oversees overall commercial and strategic finance projects to support the company's growth.

With 2 years of dedicated experience in the Food Service industry, Pete has played a pivotal role in notable achievements, including the successful Delco and GDS acquisitions and spearheading the commercial and strategic review of the recent Long Island facility expansion.

Prior to joining Ferraro Foods, Pete served as the Senior Director of M&A at Anheuser Busch, where he was responsible for developing and executing the M&A strategy across the United States and Canada. His accomplishments in this role include overseeing various acquisitions and partnerships, such as the Craft Brew Alliance.

Pete holds both a Master's and Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, showcasing his commitment to academic excellence.

Outside of work, Pete finds joy in spending time with his wife and daughter, emphasizing a balance between his professional achievements and personal life.

Dragos Sburlea is a seasoned Supply Chain executive and business leader with a proven track record of driving financial and operational success in large, complex logistics environments. Over his 30-year career in food distribution and manufacturing within the retail and foodservice sectors, Dragos has consistently delivered transformative change, optimizing processes and enhancing efficiency.

A Finance graduate from Kutztown University, Dragos combines his academic background with extensive industry expertise to achieve outstanding results. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in fostering innovation and growth. Known for his collaborative approach, he excels at building strong teams and partnerships.

Currently residing in Austin, TX, Dragos and his wife are passionate foodies who love to explore diverse culinary experiences. They also share a deep love for travel, continually seeking new adventures around the world.