CHICAGO (January 20, 2003) - The National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) has named John Evans, Jr. of Gold Medal Products Company in Cincinnati, Ohio the recipient of the 2003 Bert Nathan Memorial Award. The announcement marks the first time a father and son combination have been named winners of the award as John's father, J.C. Evans, received the award in 2000. The award presentation will be made on March 6 at a breakfast sponsored by Nestle and Screenvision during the ShoWest theatre exhibition convention in Las Vegas.

Criteria for the award include involvement in NAC, providing positive leadership direction; significant contributions to the development and professionalism of the concessions industry; and current involvement at the executive level. The award is named for the late Bert Nathan, a past president, leader and great supporter of NAC and the concessions industry. The award is given annually based on nominations from NAC members and a vote of past award recipients.

John began working at Gold Medal Products in 1977, became sales manager in 1991 and has worked as vice president of sales and marketing since 1995. Gold Medal Products, a family-owned business started by John's grandfather, David C. Evans in 1931, is a manufacturer of food equipment and supplies for the concessions industry. Gold Medal Products is headquartered in Cincinnati with branch sites in Chicago, Columbus, Indianapolis, Greensboro, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, and Pittsburgh. John's father, J.C. Evans, was integral in the growth of Gold Medal and was "a great teacher" for him, John noted. John said he is humbled to receive the same award his father accepted in 2000.

"It's quite an honor not only to be mentioned with winning the same award as J.C., but also the other distinguished Bert Nathan Award winners in the past," John Evans, Jr. said.

Evans has served as a Regional Vice President on the NAC Board of Directors for 18 years and has served as chair of the RVP committee since 1997, coordinating the NAC Regional Seminar Series. He has served on the NAC Executive Committee, Membership Benefits/Internet Committee and Marketing/Membership Committee. He is very active in the concessions industry and has sponsored more than 30 new members into NAC. John and his wife Denise have one daughter, Kayla.

Previous winners of the Bert Nathan Memorial Award are Maria Angles, Norman Chesler, Charlie Cretors, Larry Etter, J.C. Evans, Evan Gordon, Wally Helton, Jack Leonard, Peter Leyh, Frank Liberto, Libby Mauro, Bruce Proctor, Bill Rector, Robert Scribner, Skip Stefansen, Bruce Taffet, and the late Bill Chaplain, Len Marsh and Bert Nathan.