Ron was also recently inducted into the New Jersey Strength and Power Hall of Fame. For those that know Ron, these achievements came as no shock; when Ron commits to something, he stays with it like a bulldog.
Ron Ehrhardt is also very proud Hall of Fame member of the World Natural Powerlifting Federation. He has won numerous National and World titles in two different weight class divisions over multiple decades. He has won numerous Best Lifter Awards, most notably at the 2016 World Championships.
At the 2004 Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Managements National Conference, Ron coordinated a charity bench press exhibition at the Baltimore Ravens Stadium. He bench-pressed 460 lbs and raised $12,000 for the Baltimore and Maryland Food Banks. He also competed in an invitation-only Bench Press exhibition for the New Jersey Special Olympics, helping to raise $3,000 for the organization.
Ron volunteers his limited spare time judging Powerlifting Competitions for the World Natural Powerlifting Federation, Skiba’s Gym in Carteret, New Jersey, and Pump Fitness in Monroe, New Jersey.
Ron is well known in the foodservice world and has earned many awards for outstanding service to the industry at large, as well as many organizations he has served within it. Ron’s current position is as the Vice President of Safety, Strategic Risk, and Growth for Compass Group North America. In this role, he is responsible for implementing Workplace Safety, Food Safety, and COVID 19 operational safety protocols for new large business contracts.
Ron’s Other Bench Press Records in the World Natural Powerlifting Federation (WNPF)
- New Jersey State 220 lb. weight class, 45-49 age Open Division 475 lbs.
- New Jersey State 220 lb. weight class, 50-54 age RAW Division 385 lbs.
- New Jersey State, National, and World Bench Press records 198 lb. weight class, 55-59 age RAW Division 375 lbs.
- New Jersey State and National Record Bench Press Body weight for 23 Repetitions.
- New Jersey State Bench Press record 220lb. weight class 55-59 age Raw Division 365 lbs.
- New Jersey State Bench Press record 220lb. weight class 60-64 age Raw Division 340 lbs.
Ehrhardt, a 2006 winner of the International Foodservice Manufacturer Association’s Silver Plate Award, was previously National Director of Foodservices for Prudential Financial, headquartered in Newark, N.J.
Industry Awards/Certifications
- Serve Safe Sanitation Certification – Valid thru 2024
- National Restaurant Association Food Service Management Professional FMP Certification
- NAFEM Doctorate of Food Service (DFS) 2004
- Food Management Magazine National “Best Concepts Award Winner for Best Renovation” – 2006
- International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) “Silver Plate Award for Operator of the Year” – 2006
- Society for Foodservice Management’s Richard Yasmael “Distinguished Service Award” – 2007
- Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management’s “President’s Award” – 2008
- Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management’s “President’s Award” – 2011
- Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management’s Lifetime Achievement Award – 2013
- Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management’s “President’s Award” – 2016
Community and Civic Involvement
- Community Food Bank of New Jersey Board of Director, March 2012 – 2016
- Rebuilding Together National Charity Board of Directors 1999 – 2006
- United States Air Force Hennessy Traveler 2001
Professional/Industry Involvement
- Society for Foodservice Management (SFM) President 2004, President-Elect 2003, Treasurer – 2002
