KENWOOD recognized the top performers of its independent sales representative group with the brand's annual Excellence in Sales and Rep of the Year awards. The premier producer of connected multimedia receivers presented the awards in January during International CES in Las Vegas.

"CES is the culmination of a year of hard work for all of our staff, including our independent rep firms," said Robert Sutton, director of sales, KENWOOD Consumer Electronics Sector. "It seems only fitting, as we are showing the results of advanced engineering and customer feedback in our 2016 product line, that we recognize the essential members of our team that drive our continued growth."

Excellence in Sales, Eastern Region, was awarded to Trent Partners and Associates. This was the third such award to the rep firm and the fourth overall.

"We resigned (another major brand) to become the KENWOOD rep in 2003, and it was the best move I ever made," said Stephen Trentacoste, president and founder. "I would like to thank our regional manager, Ed Meenan, and of course the rest of the sales management team."

Excellence in Sales, Midwestern Region went to Pinnacle Sales of Howell, Mich., while the Western Region honor was accepted by Oliver Marketing in Auburn, Wash.

For individual sales representative recognition, Sales Rep of the Year, Eastern Region was awarded to Bill Freeman, territory manager at M.A.G. Sales in Sunrise, Fla. Mike Barrett of Comprehensive Brands in Wheaton, Ill., took home the award for the Midwestern Region. And Jeremy Foss, whose territory covers Arizona as well as California’s Riverside and San Diego counties for Cal-West Marketing, received the Sales Rep of the Year honor for the Western Region.

"It's a sense of pride and accomplishment," added Trentacoste on receiving his company’s award. "Every rep at KENWOOD is probably the top rep firm in the territory, so that means you're always up against the best. When you win an award among your peers, you've really accomplished something and it's great to be acknowledged."