Lance Hunter, a Hilmar resident, was recently awarded the highest honor possible for a Pepsi Beverages Company sales representative. Hunter was inducted into the PepsiCo President’s Ring of Honor, an award reserved for less than one percent of PepsiCo’s worldwide sales force. Hunter is a sales representative who specializes mostly in competitive restaurant sales. He targets those potential clients who sell competitors’ beverages in their restaurants. He said that he was pretty surprised when he heard that he had won. “I’ve heard of people winning it before. I’ve been working for Pepsi for 31 years and this is the first time I’ve won it,” Hunter said of the President’s Ring of Honor. Hunter and his wife were invited to New York on June 10 for the induction ceremony. They flew into New York and stayed in a hotel with the other Ring of Honor award winners. On the day of the awards dinner all of the winners and their spouses were taken by bus to the PepsiCo headquarters in Purchase, NY. Hunter said that every employee at the headquarters building was outside waiting for the buses, waving flags and cheering for the winners. “It was pretty impressive to see 1,500 people with flags,” Hunter said. The Hilmar sales representative met all of the big bosses of PepsiCo, and spent the evening listening to musical performances by Elton Jon, Tina Turner, Prince and other big name stars. He said that the best part of the trip was that his wife was able to accompany him and see New York and the Pepsi headquarters with him. “They all seemed very sincere with their thanks,” Hunter said. PepsiCo cites talent sustainability as a core company value. Hunter has been working for Pepsi Beverage Company for 31 years. “Lance provides world-class Pepsi service to his customers, and is a shining example for our entire team,” said Diana Conaway, Hunter’s manager. Hunter said that he doesn’t think he did anything special to win the President’s Ring of Honor. “I’m no superman, I just take care of my customers,” Hunter said. Andrea Goodwin can be reached at agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or at 634-9141 ex. 2003.
Hilmar man wins PepsiCo top award
