IFDA Celebrates Winners of 2025 IFDA National Championship
MCLEAN, Va. (Oct. 28, 2025) – The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) crowned the nation’s top professional truck drivers and warehouse associates at its annual IFDA National Championship, held Oct. 23-25 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla. The premier skills and safety competition brought together 284 of the foodservice distribution industry’s elite industrial athletes to demonstrate their precision, expertise and unwavering commitment to safety.
“This year, 182 professional truck drivers and 102 warehouse equipment operators showcased their skills, with an impressive 66% competing for the first time,” said Mark S. Allen, president and CEO of IFDA. “These professionals represent the backbone of our industry, ensuring safe and efficient delivery of food to communities across America. Their dedication to excellence and safety sets the standard for the entire foodservice distribution industry. Congratulations to all competitors and winners!”
The competition featured five categories: double-pallet jack and reach truck for warehouse associates, and straight truck, 3-axle and 5-axle for truck drivers. Winners received medals, cash prizes and championship jackets, with awards presented at a banquet on Saturday, Oct. 26.
2025 Championship Results
Double Pallet Jack
- First Place – Chris Mann, US Foods
- Second Place – Tyler Sibenaller, Performance Food Group
- Third Place – Freddy Vega, US Foods
Reach Truck
- First Place – Josh Goddard, McLane Foodservice
- Second Place – Jonah Seppala, Performance Food Group
- Third Place – Jesse Lewin, Dennis Food Service
Straight Truck
- First Place – Justin Calloway, Ben E. Keith Co.
- Second Place – Rob Cummings, Sysco
- Third Place – Michael Jackson, Ben E. Keith Foods
3-Axle
- First Place – Cristhian Gonzalez, Performance Food Group
- Second Place – Travon Ellis, Performance Food Group
- Third Place – Nicholas Aragon, US Foods
5-Axle
- First Place – Seth Burnett, Capitol Distributing Inc.
- Second Place – Rhett Kraft, Sysco
- Third Place – Mark Ditscheit, Performance Food Group
Special Recognitions
- Warehouse Rookie of the Year: Chris Mann, US Foods (Double Pallet Jack)
- Transportation Rookie of the Year: Seth Burnett, Capitol Distributing Inc. (5-Axle)
- Perfect Skills Course: Freddy Vega, US Foods, achieved a flawless 300-point performance on the Double Pallet Jack skills course, demonstrating mastery of equipment handling and safety protocols.
Top Written Exam Scores:
- Warehouse: Eugene Hoffman, Performance Food Group (Double Pallet Jack), with a score of 96
- Transportation: Manuel Martinez, Gordon Food Service (5-Axle), with a score of 84
Team Awards:
- Warehouse Team Award: US Foods
- Transportation Team Award: Performance Food Group
The IFDA National Championship continues to showcase the exceptional talent within the foodservice distribution industry while promoting the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.
The 2026 IFDA National Championship will be held Oct. 22-24, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. Field courses will take place at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, with all other events held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
About IFDA
The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) is the premier trade organization representing the $400 billion foodservice distribution industry. This industry ensures a safe and efficient supply of food and products to more than one million restaurants and foodservice outlets in the U.S. daily. Learn more at ifdaonline.org.
Media Contact
Kristen Petersen
kpetersen@ifdaonline.org
