WASHINGTON — The United Fresh Produce Association has announced the 25 outstanding retail produce managers to be honored at the Chairman’s Reception and Produce Celebration Dinner, Tuesday, May 1, at the Hyatt Dallas at Reunion during the United Fresh 2012 convention and expo.
Sponsored by Ready Pac Foods, The United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program is now in its eighth year. The awards were designed to “pay special recognition to those on the front-line in supermarkets working everyday to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables,” United Fresh explains in a release.
“These produce managers have demonstrated the creative energy to make fresh fruits and vegetables shine in their stores. In so many cases, their interactions with consumers influence opinions and purchasing decisions, and have an undeniable impact on our industry,” said Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of United Fresh. “We’re fortunate to have these talented retailers as the face of the fresh produce industry.”
The managers were selected from a field of hundreds of nominees, and represent 21 different supermarket chains, commissaries and independent retail stores in 15 states and Canada. Criteria included their efforts to increase produce consumption through merchandising, special displays and promotions, community service and commitment to customer satisfaction.
In alphabetical order, the 2012 winners are:
- Leslie Alex, Hannaford Bros., Dover, N.H.
- Ricky Allemand, Brookshire Grocery Co., New Iberia, La.
- John Ballard, Food City/K-VA-T Food Stores, Lafollete, Tenn.
- Phil Burgess, Safeway Stores, Bend, Ore.
- Brian Burrow, Brookshire Grocery Co., Whitehouse, Texas
- Franklin Bys, Hy-Vee, Coralville, Iowa
- James Campbell, Sunflower Farmers Market, Denver
- Brian Collegnon, Rueben’s County Market, Hartford, Wis.
- Ross Corbin Conrad, Colemans Food Centres, Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada
- Brian Corbitt, Bel Air Market/Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, Sacramento, Calif.
- Jolene Cyr, Food Maxx/Save Mart Supermarkets, Fairfield, Calif.
- Ron Danielson, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, Woodland, Calif.
- Chad Faulk, Harris Teeter, Charlotte
- John Heon, Big Y Foods, Lee, Mass.
- Rich Jackson, Quality Food Centers, Sammamish, Wash.
- Steve Kaminski, Jewel-Osco, Westmont, Ill.
- Charmagne Kendrick, VG's Food Center/Spartan Stores, Fenton, Mich.
- Jim Kesteloot, Harris Teeter, Reston, Va.
- Michael Kolek, Jewel-Osco, Schaumburg, Ill.
- Brian Langdon, Kroger Co., Cincinnati
- Mike McElmeel, Hy-Vee, Silvis, Ill.
- Elizabeth Myers, New River MCAS Commissary, Jacksonville, N.C.
- Wanda Ivy Nicholas, Travis Air Force Base Commissary, Travis, Calif.
- Nick Puleo, Vons, San Diego
- George Sanders, Price Chopper/Golub Corporation, Barre, Vt.
On the United Fresh 2012 trade show floor, select program winners will take part in a panel discussion of retail strategies and trends, as well as consumer purchasing habits.
