Wagner Elected Chair of Ohio Grocers

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Grocers Association here said Wally Wagner Jr., owner of Wagner's IGA, Minster, Ohio, has been elected chairman for a two-year term. He succeeds Leo Braido, director of sales and marketing for Riesbeck Food Markets, Saint Clairsville, Ohio, who completed a two-year term as chairman and remains a board member.

Wagner (pictured left) has been an OGA director since 2007. He operates two IGA stores.

Other new officers are as follows: Ron Graff Jr., Columbiana Foods, Youngstown, Ohio, vice chair, public affairs; Blinn [CQ Blinn] Tracey, Supervalu, Xenia, Ohio, vice chair, operations; Melanie Pileski, The Kellogg Co., New Albany, Ohio, vice chair, annual events; Stephanie Skylar, Chief Super Market, Defiance, Ohio, vice chair, membership; Dan Saltzman, Dave's Supermarkets, Bedford Heights, Ohio, member-at-large.

Seven new members joined the board to replace directors whose terms had expired or to fill vacancies: Phil Adams, Jungle Jim International Market, Cincinnati; Don Caster, Raisin Rack Natural Food Market, Westerville, Ohio; Stephen Chesnut, Laurel Grocery Co., London, Ky.; Brian Ferrier, Giant Eagle, Columbus; Steve Krakomperger, Wellington Village Market, Wellington, Ohio; Mike Needler Jr., Fresh Encounter, Findlay, Ohio; and Mike Townsley, Bob Evans Farms, Columbus.