NGA Reveals Executive Leadership Development Program Graduates

Forty-five executives from top retailers such as Wakefern, Associated Wholesale Grocers and Big Y Foods graduated from the National Grocers Association (NGA) Foundation's Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) this year. 

The PepsiCo-funded program helps prepare future grocery leaders to tackle various challenges and take advantage of opportunities. 

Matt Ott, executive director of the NGA Foundation, said with the industry constantly evolving, "leadership and development programs are critical for independents to thrive." 

The program is geared toward mid- or upper-level executives in management positions, and participants are nominated by supervisors within their companies that have identified them as having potential to rise up the ranks. It includes five days of interactive instruction programs at Cornell University, as well as lessons from academic and grocery industry leaders, networking opportunities and a personalized assessment of the participants personal leadership style.

The 2019 ELDP graduates include: 

Adam Campbell, Woodman's Food Market Inc.
Brian Usinger, Woodman's Food Market Inc.
Bridget Grabowski, C&S Wholesale Grocers
Chris Green, ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.
Chris McMahon, ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.
Cristy Hess, Busch's Fresh Food Market
Darlene Xhudo, Nicholas Markets
Darryl Miller, Associated Wholesale Grocers
David Pack, Coborn's Inc.
David "Nick" Lenzi, Busch's Fresh Food Market
Devyn Blais Webb, Big Y Foods
Diana Barr, Coborn's Inc.
Doug Pickerill, Associated Wholesale Grocers
Ed Territo, Allegiance Retail Services/Foodtown
Elaine Mitchell, Affiliated Foods Inc. 
Erik Da Rocha, Wakefern Food Corp.
Jaime Kissinger, Delaware Supermarkets/ShopRite
Jessica Valentino, Ravitz Family Markets
Joe Anzaldo, Newport Avenue Market
John Kozarski, Ravitz Family Markets
John Fraro, Big Y Foods
Josh Croson, Coborn's Inc.
Julie Bolick, Merchants Distributors LLC
Keith Fanguy, Associated Grocers Inc.
Keith Williams, Merchants Distributors LLC
Kirk LaBoyteaux, Brookshire Grocery Co.
Krystyna Testa, Wakefern Food Corp.
Laura Fisher, National Grocers Association
Lisa Swanson, Hugo's Family Marketplace
Marc Hamilton, ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.
Mark Wyckoff, Brookdale ShopRite
Matt Brown, Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. Inc.
Meg Mitchell, C&S Wholesale Grocers
Michael Arbuckle, Harmons
Mike Soehlman, Harps Food Stores Inc. 
Mike Piziak, Big Y Foods
Nallely De Jesus, Met Fresh Supermarket
Nick Maniaci, Nicholas Markets
Pat Elliott, Delaware Supermarkets/ShopRite
Rebecca Weber, ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.
Richard "Rick" Goodman, Associated Grocers Inc.
Robin Hayes, Mitchell Grocery Corp.
Shane Estep, K-VA-T Food Stores
Tim Schaefer, Merchants Distributors LLC
Tom Domino, Wakefern Food Corp.