Arlington, VA- 45 grocery industry executives graduated last week from the NGA Foundation’s Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP). The program lasted from June 2-6 and was held at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
“The ELDP program prepares the next generation of leaders in the supermarket industry to take on an array of challenges and opportunities. The industry is constantly evolving, and leadership and development programs are critical for independents to thrive,” said Matt Ott, Executive Director of the NGA Foundation. “Thanks to PepsiCo, NGA is able to provide the ELDP program, enabling independent supermarket operators to invest in their future leaders.”
The ELDP program is geared towards mid or upper-level executives with large spans of control and responsibilities that require the delegation of tasks to others. ELDP participants are nominated by supervisors within their company that have identified them as rising executives who are candidates for increased “people” and general management responsibilities.
The program includes five days of interactive, intense instruction on the campus of Cornell University, lessons from respected academic and grocery industry leaders, networking opportunities, and a personalized 360-degree assessment of the participants personal leadership style.
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2019 ELDP Graduates:
Adam Campbell- Woodman’s Food Market, Inc.
Brian Usinger- Woodman’s Food Market, Inc.
Bridget Grabowski- C&S Wholesale Grocers
Chris Green- ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc.
Chris McMahon- ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc.
Cristy Hess- Busch’s Fresh Food Market
Darlene Xhudo- Nicholas Markets
Darryl Miller- Associated Wholesale Grocers
David Pack- Coborn’s, Inc.
David “Nick” Lenzi- Busch’s Fresh Food Market
Devyn Blais- Webb- Big Y Foods
Diana Barr- Coborn’s, Inc.
Doug Pickerill- Associated Wholesale Grocers
Ed Territo- Allegiance Retail Services/Foodtown
Elaine Mitchell- Affiliated Foods, Inc.
Erik Da Rocha- Wakefern Food Corp.
Jaime Kissinger- Delaware Supermarkets – ShopRite
Jessica Valentino- Ravitz Family Markets
Joe Anzaldo- Newport Avenue Market
John Kozarski- Ravitz Family Markets
John Fraro- Big Y Foods
Josh Croson- Coborn’s, Inc.
Julie Bolick- Merchants Distributors LLC
Keith Fanguy- Associated Grocers, Inc.
Keith Williams- Merchants Distributors LLC
Kirk LaBoyteaux- Brookshire Grocery Co.
Krystyna Testa- Wakefern Food Corp.
Laura Fisher- National Grocers Association
Lisa Swanson- Hugo’s Family Marketplace
Marc Hamilton- ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc.
Mark Wyckoff- Brookdale ShopRite
Matt Brown- Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company, Inc.
Meg Mitchell- C&S Wholesale Grocers
Michael Arbuckle- Harmons
Mike Soehlman- Harps Food Stores, Inc.
Mike Piziak- Big Y Foods
Nallely De Jesus- Met Fresh Supermarket
Nick Maniaci- Nicholas Markets
Pat Elliott- Delaware Supermarkets – ShopRite
Rebecca Weber- ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc.
Richard “Rick” Goodman- Associated Grocers, Inc.
Robin Hayes- Mitchell Grocery Corp.
Shane Estep- K-VA-T Food Stores, inc. (dba Food City)
Tim Schaefer- Merchants Distributors LLC
Tom Domino- Wakefern Food Corp.
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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.
