Inaugural Fred Meijer Award Honors Leadership

Cathy Cooper, director of community and giving for Meijer, is the inaugural recipient of the Fred Meijer Award, an honor named after the retailer's founder, 

The award recognizes one Meijer team member who most exhibits the qualities founder Fred Meijer was known for: leadership through humility, generosity and passion for serving others, the Grand Rapid, Mich.-based retailer said.

Cooper started her career at Meijer as manager of Meijer's Sagebrush store in 1982 and held several roles in marketing before taking on her current position as the company’s primary contact for philanthropic organizations that Meijer supports. She is also director of Meijer's scholarship program and executive director of the Meijer LPGA Classic.

Her name will be inscribed on the Fred Meijer trophy, housed in the Meijer Heritage Center, and she will receive a vacation and a donation to a charity of her choice.

“Our family is so pleased to present this award to Cathy,” said Hank Meijer, executive chairman of Meijer. “Cathy has been such an amazing ambassador of our company during her 37-year career that it’s only appropriate she is the first team member to receive this annual award.”

It is one of the company’s new Legacy Awards, which were created to honor Meijer team members who are leaving a lasting legacy among their teams and communities. Another of the Legacy Awards, the President’s Award, will recognize several Meijer team members throughout October.