FMI Announces Grand Prize Winners of Store Manager Awards Competition

LAS VEGAS, NV —  The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) announced the Grand Prize winners of the 11th Annual Store Manager Awards at FMI 2010, which include:

“FMI salutes these extraordinary store managers for the leadership they show their associates, the contributions they make in their communities and the creative ways they use to increase sales,” said FMI President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie G. Sarasin. Finalists are selected based on stories submitted from their supervisors or store associates. The entries were judged on originality and creativity and the person’s impact on sales growth, customer satisfaction and community service.

The three grand prize winners were chosen from a group of nine finalists. The other finalists include:

All the finalists received two complimentary registrations to FMI 2010, three nights of hotel accommodations in Las Vegas and an engraved award. The grand prize winners each were presented a $1,000 check during an award ceremony.

Dave McCleery is the store director of Russ’s Market in Lincoln, NE. His can-do attitude and his passion for the grocery business have earned him the respect and trust of his associates and customers. McCleery is a relationship builder who takes an interest in his team and his community. His store supports the Food Bank BackPack Program. They help fill more than 2,000 backpacks each week with nutritious foods for children who rely on the school breakfast and lunch program for their most nutritious meals of the day. Russ’s Market also supports Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters and other community organizations through in-store activities and fundraisers. His team conducts many special events throughout the year to promote sales including a Julia Child look-a-like contest and cooking demonstration and a petting zoo and Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest in the parking lot as part of a kid’s neighborhood festival. McCleery increased sales at his location 11.6 percent during the past two years. One of his greatest achievements came during Super Bowl Week 2010 when his team set an all-time weekly sales record through effective in-store promotions in every department. They broke the previous record by $40,000 — which had been in place for the past 48 years.

Sharon Boyett is the store director at Brookshire Grocery Co. in Monroe, LA. She is nominated for motivating employees and empowering them to be successful. Boyett uses contests to improve team performance, award employees and create a fun work environment. She is known to publicly praise her staff, who describe her as firm but fair. She conducts monthly classes for her team that focus on a particular product in the store to educate everyone about items from different departments. Despite the economy, Boyett’s store continues to show sales growth, finishing fiscal year 2009 with a 2.44 percent increase over 2008 while reducing labor expenses. She uses theme events throughout the store to increase sales including a tailgate demonstration day and Friday night wine and deli pairings. Boyett’s team is active in several charitable organizations including answering phones for the Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, providing snacks for the Adopt a School Program and sending care packages to troops in Iraq.

Molly Stiles is the manager of The Kroger Company store in Farragut, TN. She is recognized for the impact her leadership has on her store and in the community. Stiles believes that supporting grassroots organizations is key to becoming the center of the community. Managers from her store teach marketing and business classes in the local schools. Her store also supports United Way, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Red Cross and other organizations in her community. Her goal within her store is to keep her team learning, having fun and working together to take care of customers. Stiles holds daily meetings with her team leaders to solve problems and identify opportunities throughout the store. Her store has assisted three other new stores in training associates in leadership, merchandising and team building standards and expectations. Under Stiles’ leadership, the Farragut, TN, Kroger achieved double digit sales growth and reduced shrink.

The 2009 grand prize winners were Bob Gillick, ShopRite Supermarket, Yonkers, NY; Henry Falcon, Sweetbay Supermarket, Plant City, FL; and Jeff Barricks, Safeway, Corvallis, OR.