FMI Names Store Manager Award Finalists

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has recognized 10 outstanding grocery store managers who will vie for placement across four categories in its Store Manager Awards at the FMI Connect Show, which will be held June 20-23 at Chicago's McCormick Place. Store Manager Award nominees are scored based on their ability to generate sales growth, provide exceptional customer service and/or community relations, execute in-store innovation and demonstrate team leadership.

After receiving 85 nominations, judges narrowed the field to the following 10 finalists:

Category A: (1-49 Stores)

Alberto Ayala, Northgate Gonzalez Market, Los Angeles, Calif.

Larry Baxter, Roche Bros. Supermarkets, Boston, Mass.

Jon Wieser, Festival Foods, Green Bay, Wis. 

Category B: (50-199 Stores)

Patty Bianco, Tops Markets, LLC, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

David Couture, Hannaford Supermarkets, Wells, Maine

Piotr Soja, Big Y Foods, Inc., Northampton, Mass.

Category C: (200-plus Stores)

Josh Birmingham, The Kroger Co. Columbus Division, Holland, Ohio

Jen Knesel, Hy-Vee, Inc., Winona, Minn.

Angel Robles, Smart & Final Stores, LLC, Upland, Calif.

Category D: (International)

Ted Pigeon, Overwaitea Food Group, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Four grand-prize winners representing each category will receive a $1,000 prize and a crystal award.

These finalists will receive two complimentary registrations to FMI Connect 2016 and three nights of hotel accommodations in Chicago.

The winners of the 2016 Store Manager Awards will be announced on June 22 during the 10 a.m. CT keynote address, Riding the Wave of Food Trends, featuring FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin, Mario Batali and Robert Irvine.

Before FMI Connect, FMI will be holding the Store Manager People’s Pick Award contest on FMI’s Facebook Page during the week of May 16. All 10 finalists will be posted to the FMI Facebook page under the page tab Store Manage Awards starting at 9 a.m. ET on May 16. The finalist with the most votes by May 20, 2016 at 5 p.m. ET will receive a special award and $500 to celebrate their store employees.