CHICAGO -- IGA here said last week it is creating an award in the name of Thomas S. Haggai, the alliance's chairman and chief executive officer for the past 15 years.
d the community in which they live."
The announcement of the award -- at last week's annual IGA banquet here -- came as a surprise to Haggai, who called the announcement "the greatest moment of my life, except for the moment I got married."
The award, which was commissioned by IGA, is a picture etched in solid glass that represents Haggai as a small boy dreaming about the future while sitting under an apple tree in his Massachusetts hometown -- an image Haggai often invokes in talking of his early years.
Flanking the young Haggai in the etching is a grocery bag with the IGA logo, and below the picture is a quote from John Alan Appleman, one of Haggai's favorite writers: "I have heard it said that the first ingredient of success, the earliest spark in the dreaming youth, is this: dream a great dream."
In announcing the award, Duane Martin, executive vice president of IGA, said Haggai has been "the cornerstone of the IGA system for more than 30 years, [and] no one has had a greater influence on the direction of the alliance since the founder of IGA, J. Frank Grimes.
"Dr. Haggai has championed the philosophy of giving back to the individual as well as the community," Martin said. "Through his dynamic leadership and personal example, IGA has become synonymous with community involvement, commitment and growth, [and] Dr. Haggai himself symbolizes the Hometown Proud spirit and commitment."
IGA presented the annual J. Frank Grimes Award to two individuals during its annual dinner here: William E. Johnston, retired president of Morton Salt Co., for his lifelong dedication to IGA, and Lorraine E. Smucker, widow of Paul H. Smucker, grandson of the founder of J.M. Smucker, for the integral part she played in her husband's success.
