San Diego, CA – The National Grocers Association announced at the Opening Keynote Session of The NGA Show the establishment of the Peter J. Larkin Award for Community Service in honor of Peter’s retirement at the end of 2019. This award will be presented annually to an independent retailer or wholesaler for his or her dedication and commitment to the communities he or she serves.
“Peter’s passion for our industry and the independent grocer is unwavering, but it’s the independent grocer’s commitment and service to their community that he is most proud of,” said Cheryl Sommer, Chair of NGA Board of Directors and owner of Kaune’s Neighborhood Market during the Opening Keynote Session at The NGA Show.
Larkin’s retirement from NGA at this end of this year will cap off a nearly 40-year career in the supermarket industry. During Larkin’s tenure at NGA, the organization has experienced growth in retail and wholesale membership as well as member engagement in share groups and committees, and attendance at The NGA show. Additionally, NGA’s government relations and advocacy efforts have expanded and produced numerous wins for independent supermarkets under Larkin’s leadership, and the NGA Grocers Political Action Committee, which was launched during Larkin’s term, has helped support candidates for Congress who champion important policies to Main Street grocers. He has also revitalized the NGA Foundation, which is focused on programs and services that support store associates and the next generation of the independent supermarket industry.
Additionally, at the 2019 NGA Show, the NGA Board of Directors, by recommendation of its nominating committee and subsequent vote by the NGA membership, announced the 2019 Board of Directors, Officers and Executive Committee members, as well as the election of nine new Board members.
“These industry leaders come to NGA’s Board of Directors at an imperative time for independent grocers as we enhance NGA’s benefits and resources for store operators to thrive in today’s rapidly-changing marketplace. I look forward to working with each of them to advance the independent supermarket industry,” said Peter Larkin, president and CEO of NGA.
The 2019 NGA Board of Directors includes:
Appointed Board of Directors Officers and Executive Committee
Chair: Cheryl Sommer, Kaune’s Neighborhood Market
Immediate Past Chair: Rich Niemann, Jr., Niemann Foods, Inc.
Vice-Chair: Mike Stigers, UNFI/SuperValu
Secretary: Ted Balistreri, Sendik’s Food Markets
Treasurer: David Smith, Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc.
President & CEO: Peter Larkin, National Grocers Association
At-Large: Kim Eskew, Harps Food Stores, Inc.
At-Large: Roger Lowe, Jr., Lowe’s Market
At-Large: Richard Morgan, Jr., North State Grocery Inc.
At-Large: Jeff Reagan, Wakefern Food Corp.
At-Large: Zulema Wiscovitch, Associated Supermarket Group
Incoming Board Members
John Akins, Akins Market
Randy Arceneaux, Affiliated Foods, Inc.
Joe Cavaliere, C&S Wholesaler
Dave Conroy, First Data
Paula Janssen, Janssens Fine Foods
Pete Najjar, Cardiff Seaside Market
Michael Needler Jr., Fresh Encounter, Inc.
Tony Patrignelli, Unilever
Gary Redner, Redner’s Markets
Returning Board Members
Jay Ard, The Coca-Cola Company
Terrie Baker, Baker’s IGA
Neal Berube, Associated Food Stores, Inc.
Jennifer Bosma, Harvest Market
Kimberly Brackett, Brackett’s Market IGA
Trent Brookshire, Brookshire Grocery Co.
David Bullard, Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company
John Derderian, Allegiance Retail Services, LLC
Rudy Dory, Newport Avenue Market
Jesse Garcia, Post Consumer Brands
Jan Gee , Washington Food Industry Association
Ron Graff, Jr., Columbiana Foods Inc.
Neil Greenstein, Brookdale/Newark ShopRite
Winston Griffin, Laurel Grocery Co.
Steve Heggelke, Bozzuto’s Inc.
Tim Henderson, Henderson’s IGA
Michelle Hurd, Iowa Grocery Industry Association
Reed Kessler, Kessler’s Inc
Kristi Magnuson-Nelson, Hugo’s Family Marketplace
Bob McTeir, Merchants Distributors, Inc.
Brian Moyer, Freshop
David Ochs, KeHE Distributors
Eligio Peña, Compare Foods
Larry Pierce, SpartanNash Company
Kevin Proctor, Save-A-Lot
Art Rosenberg, PepsiCo, Inc.
Daniel Shanahan, Buehler’s Fresh Foods
Ray Sprinkle, URM Stores Inc
Jeff Strack, Indiana Grocery Corporation
Michael Violette, Associated Grocers of New England, Inc.
Joe Wolf, Alliance Retail Group
Ex-Office Members
Carole Bitter, Ph.D., Friedman’s Freshmarkets
Jay Campbell, Jr., Retired, Associated Grocers, Inc.
Chris Coborn, Coborn’s, Inc.
Michael Needler, Fresh Encounter, Inc.
John Ross, IGA, Inc.
Joe Sheridan, Wakefern Food Corp.
Steve Smith, K-VA-T Food Stores
NGA would like to recognize and thank the following outgoing board members for their service and leadership:
Denny Belcastro, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
RF Buche, GF Buche Co.
Guy Chiarello, First Data
Nolan Lockwood, Walla Walla’s Harvest Foods
David Mitchell, Mitchell Grocery Corp.
Eric Stille, Nugget Market, Inc.
About NGA
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for close to one percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating $131 billion in sales, 944,000 jobs, $30 billion in wages, and $27 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org
