PORTLAND, Ore. -- A keynote speech by Jim Sinegal, president and chief executive officer of Costco Wholesale Corp., and panel discussions on community-based initiatives and direct-store delivery will highlight the ninth annual Executive Forum of the Food Industry Leadership Center, School of Business Administration, Portland State University.
nnounced shortly. Executives from both retail companies will be present to accept the awards.
SN will also sponsor a panel on strengthening the DSD retailer/vendor partnership. It will feature Mike Ellis, senior vice president, food division, Fred Meyer here, a division of Kroger Co., Cincinnati; Al Carey, chief operating officer, PepsiCo North America; Chris Cornwell, retail vice president, Kraft DSD sales; and Todd Cornwell, director of sales for Washington Franz Family Bakeries here.
In his talk, Sinegal is scheduled to discuss employee retention and the importance of vendor partnerships.
Among other scheduled presentations are:
Jim Donald, president of Starbucks North America and the former president and CEO of Pathmark Stores, on achieving advantages through partnerships and a motivated workforce.
A panel on community-based initiatives featuring Bob Hermanns, president of Associated Grocers, Seattle; Brian Rohter, president of New Seasons Market; Warren Bryant, president of Longs Drug; and Matt Bumstead, vice president of customer and community service for United Supermarkets.
The Food Industry Leadership Center is teaming with the Network of Executive Women for a half-day seminar on Oct. 20, prior to the start of the Executive Forum. That meeting, designed to promote women in the food industry, will feature a keynote speech by Nancy Moon-Ellis, president of Fred Meyer Nutrition Centers.
