FMI Selects Store Manager of the Year Finalists

ARLINGTON, Va. — Food Marketing Institute here is slated to name three grand prize winners for its Store Manager of the Year Awards at the FMI Show in Las Vegas this week from a field of nine finalists in three different categories.

“Store managers are responsible for enhancing business operations and providing excellent customer service,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI president and chief executive officer. “This important award recognizes those truly outstanding leaders who train and mentor their associates, are actively involved in their communities and are connected to their customers.”

The finalists were selected based on their development of programs that created positive growth and customer satisfaction in their stores during the past 12-18 months. Other factors included leading, mentoring and motivating store employees; demonstrating a balance between people skills and operations skills; communicating company goals and store milestones to workers; and improving the financial performance of the store.

Finalists were selected based on nominations from their supervisors or co-workers. The entries were judged on originality and creativity, and the nominee's impact on sales growth, customer satisfaction and community service.

All nine finalists will receive two complimentary registrations for FMI 2010, three nights of hotel accommodations in Las Vegas and an engraved award. The three grand prize winners will each receive a $1,000 check.

The 2009 grand prize winners were Bob Gillick, ShopRite, Yonkers, N.Y.; Henry Falcon, Sweetbay Supermarket, Plant City, Fla.; and Jeff Barricks, Safeway, Corvallis, Ore.

The nine finalists for 2010:

Category A (1-49 stores):

Category B (50-199 stores):

Category C (200 stores or more):