ARLINGTON, Va. — Food Marketing Institute this week said nine finalists have been selected for FMI's 12th annual Store Manager Awards competition.
The finalists were selected based on their ability to develop programs that achieved positive growth and customer satisfaction in their stores during the past 12-18 months, among other factors.
The finalists are:
Category A (1-49 stores): Shawn Commons, store manager at PriceRite Supermarket in Reading, Pa.; Tom Gordon, store manager at Byerly's in Maple Grove, Minn.; Bill Skeard, store manager at The Gardens in Corner Brook, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Category B (50-199 stores): Ray Brose, store manager at Sweetbay Supermarket in Cape Coral, Fla.; Allan Bussey, store director at Brookshire Grocery Co. in Tyler, Texas; Tracey Hershenhorn, store manager at Shelburne Road Price Chopper Supermarket in Burlington, Vt.
Category C (200 or more stores): Kristi Masterson, store director at Hy-Vee in Sioux Falls, S.D.; Rusty Stewart, store manager at Kroger Co. in Newnan, Ga.; Ray Waldrop, store director at Bi-Lo in Rock Hill, S.C.
Finalists were selected based on submissions from their supervisors or store employees. Three grand prize winners will be selected from the finalists and announced on Wednesday, May 11, during the Future Connect leadership conference at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.
"Successful store managers are not only committed to increasing sales and profits, they are equally committed to customer satisfaction and improving the communities they serve," said FMI President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie G. Sarasin. "We are very proud to recognize all of the finalists of the FMI Store Manager Awards for demonstrating operational excellence, outstanding customer service and innovative community service."