RESTON, Va. -- The National Grocers Association here last week said it has given its "Great American" award to Thomas Infusino, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Wakefern Food Corp., Elizabeth, N.J.
In presenting the award, Tom Wenning, senior vice president and general counsel, NGA, said Infusino was being recognized "for dedicating his life and career to the customers and the communities served by ShopRite supermarkets; as an industry visionary and entrepreneur advancing innovation through Wakefern/ ShopRite; [and for] providing the highest quality products and the best in service and value while ensuring the customers a satisfying shopping experience."
Infusino, owner of Nutley Park ShopRite in Nutley, N.J., has been a member of the Wakefern cooperative for 50 years, a board member since 1967 and board chairman and CEO since 1971. He retired from the Wakefern posts earlier this year.
In addition to the NGA Award, other awards Infusino has received in his career include Israel's Prime Minister's Medal, the highest civilian award given by the state of Israel for humanitarianism; and the Lifeline Award given by the Cooley's Anemia Foundation.
He also serves on the board of governors for the of the National Conference for Community and Justice, is a member of the board of directors for the New Jersey Food Council and is a member of the Food Council Committee for Good Government.
At Wakefern's annual meeting, the cooperative presented Infusino with a sponsored honorary endowment at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in appreciation for his 34 years of service to the company. Infusino and Wakefern have a long history of support for UMDNJ.
