Judson Kleinman Named 2026 Coffee Legend of the Year by NAMA

ARLINGTON, VA — The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has named Judson Kleinman, founder of Corporate Essentials, the 2026 Coffee Legend of the Year, recognizing his longstanding contributions to the coffee services industry and his commitment to elevating the customer experience.

“Judson represents so much of what this award is meant to honor, including a commitment to the industry, a willingness to innovate and, above all, a genuine focus on people,” said Christine Cochran, president and CEO of NAMA. “He has built lasting relationships across the industry and has consistently looked for ways to improve the experience for customers and colleagues alike. We are proud to recognize his contributions.”

Kleinman began his career in the convenience services industry in 1985 and went on to build a career spanning more than four

decades. In 1996, he saw an opportunity to bring better coffee into the workplace and founded Corporate Essentials around the belief that small improvements to the employee experience could make a meaningful difference.  That vision has since grown into a broad workplace refreshment business, expanding beyond coffee into pantry services, micro markets, workplace dining and catering and offering approximately 3,000 products.

Through Corporate Essentials, Kleinman was an early distributor of Keurig in New Jersey and among the first in the country to distribute the system. Kleinman also expanded the company’s coffee offerings through Essential Coffee Co. and Java Café, bringing specialty and locally roasted coffee, along with the equipment and training to support it, to workplaces throughout the New York metropolitan area.

His impact has also been felt across the broader industry. Kleinman has participated in industry events, provided opportunities for members of his team to share their knowledge and developed a wide network of industry relationships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he brought business leaders together for weekly calls, creating a forum for sharing information and supporting one another through an unprecedented period.

Beyond his professional contributions, Kleinman has remained active in his community. In 2021, he received the Pillar of Kindness Award from the Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey for his philanthropic efforts. Judson is also an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and has helped propel Corporate Essentials on the Inc. 5000 list multiple times.

Kleinman will be honored at CTW, taking place November 18-19 in Austin, Texas. The event connects operators and suppliers for collaborative conversations focused on the evolving workplace, client relationships and the future of coffee and pantry services.