Our Story – Ventana Distributing

About Us

Ventana Distributing Company is a Phoenix-based distributor of commercial foodservice equipment, serving dealers, suppliers and technicians throughout the Southwestern United States. The company is known for its knowledgeable support and reliable inventory across a curated portfolio of equipment manufacturers.

A Window Into Our Past

The name and logo of Ventana, which means “window” in Spanish, was chosen to reflect the Hispanic culture and southwest them of the region and Arizona in particular.

Ventana Distributing was founded and incorporated by the ownership of Taylor Freezer Sales of Arizona (Taylor) in 1986. They were compelled to form a separate wholesale distribution channel to cater to the dramatic growth in the ice machine market in Arizona and thus Ventana Distributing Company was born.

Continual Growth

Ventana’s sales growth in Arizona has far exceeded the state of Arizona’s growth.

Ventana is proud of its involvement during its early years with many new projects at that time in Arizona including the Princess Resort, US Airways Center (formerly America West Arena), and Chase Field (formerly Bank One Ballpark).

We are also proud of our relationships with numerous sports arenas, Fox Restaurant Concepts, Phoenician Resort, Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Xanterra, Grand Canyon National Park, Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Bashas Grocery Stores, just to name a few.

Our Team

Paul Hodges

President and Managing Partner
Ventana Distributing Company

“I officially joined Ventana Distributing in January 2019 but have supported the Principal, Steve Rice for several years in a consultant role. Prior to joining Ventana, I held various executive roles in large corporations and start-up ventures. I have spent most of my career in a Technical or Operational role, supporting companies to improve bottom line performance. I am a “Lean Practitioner” and focus my teams on Continuous Improvement in every aspect of the business; from Sales, Finance/Administration to Warehousing, all to ultimately enrich the customer experience.”

Matt Carosi

Director-Business Development

With over 15 years immersed in the dynamic world of the foodservice industry, I bring a unique and practical perspective to Ventana Distributing Co. My career began in the heart of the kitchen, as a classically trained chef, where I developed a deep understanding of the demands of professional food operations. This foundational experience is invaluable in my current role, allowing me to truly understand and anticipate the needs of our clients. I leverage my firsthand knowledge to provide tailored solutions that drive efficiency and optimize foodservice businesses. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and spending time with friends & family.

Randy Drummond

Vice President, Sales and Marketing

“For many years, I worked for an Anheuser-Busch distributor in Michigan and moved to Arizona in 1981. I joined Taylor Freezer Sales of Arizona in 1983 and soon after moved into a role with Ventana Distributing. I have seen many changes over the years and truly enjoy selling the world’s best ice machine and refrigerated equipment. It gives me a great deal of pride knowing that our customers are getting the best equipment in the marketplace and I love getting positive feedback from my customers! I love the company so much that I thought about changing my name to ‘Ice Cube’ but unfortunately that name was taken!”

Courtney Enders

Accounting Assistant

“I began working at Taylor Freezer Sales of Arizona in 2013. In 2016, I accepted a position with Ventana Distributing. I am truly passionate about my job and strive to ensure operational excellence in every aspect of my job. On a personal note, I moved to the Phoenix area in 2006, from Germantown, Wisconsin and a huge Green Bay Packers fan!”