Cooper, Graff, Solberg receive NGA awards

The National Grocers Association presented awards to three retailers during its annual convention Sunday in Las Vegas.

Jason Cooper (right), Brookshire Grocery, NGA Clarence G. Adamy Award recipient, with NGA CEO Peter Larkin..

, director of compliance and government relations for Brookshire Grocery Co., Tyler, Texas, received the Clarence G. Adamy Great American Award, which NGA said is presented annually to an individual or company whose leadership best exemplifies active and effective participation in government relations as a citizen and industry representative.

The award, presented since 1982, is named in honor of Adamy, who was president of the National Association of Food Chains, one of NGA’s predecessor organizations.

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Ron Graff Jr. (left) with NGA's Greg Ferrara.

, VP, store operations, for Columbiana Foods Giant Eagle, Youngstown, Ohio, was given NGA’s Spirit of America Award, which honors industry and community figures who have provided leadership in the areas of community services and government relations on behalf of the independent food distribution system.

Trig Solberg, chairman of T.A. Solberg Co., Minocqua, Wis., was presented with the Thomas F. Wenning Pinnacle PAC Award, named for NGA’s former executive vice president and general counsel, who retired in 2013. The award was established last year to recognize an NGA member who helps advance the role and presence of independent grocers within the government and political affairs setting