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NGA names 2022 board of directors

Three retail, five wholesale executives among new members

Russell Redman

March 1, 2022

2 Min Read
Greg Ferrara-NGA CEO-2022 NGA Show.jpg
NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara (second from left) chats at The NGA Show 2022 in Las Vegas.National Grocers Association

The National Grocers Association (NGA) announced its 2022 board of directors and executive committee members at The NGA Show annual conference and trade show in Las Vegas.

NGA said yesterday that the new directors include nine new members recommended by the board’s nominating committee, and by a subsequent vote by the association’s membership, and one appointed director who will serve with the re-elected board members.

Steve Henig-Wakefern.pngSteve Henig, chief customer officer at ShopRite parent Wakefern Food Corp., is one of the NGA board's new wholesaler members. (Photo courtesy of Wakefern)

The new NGA board retailer members are Richie Morgan of North State Grocery Inc., Garrett Piklapp of Fareway Stores Inc. and Paul Rowton of GES Inc./Edwards Food Giant.

Also joining the board are five new wholesaler members — Richard Chapman of G&C Food Distributors, Steve Henig of Wakefern Food Corp., Jay Mitchell of Mitchell Grocery Corp., Bob Obray of Associated Food Stores Inc. and Ray Sprinkle of URM Stores Inc. — and two manufacturer/supplier members, Joe Mueller of Kellogg Co. and Casey Fannon of National Cooperative Bank.

“I’m grateful to our board of directors who have volunteered countless hours to serve our association, particularly as we continue to navigate challenges brought on by the pandemic and return to a new normal,” NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara said in a statement. “As we kick off a yearlong celebration of NGA’s 40th anniversary, I look forward to working with the Board of Directors to help the organization enhance resources for our members and strengthen the independent supermarket industry.”

Related:NGA Show kicks off with keynote speaker Chris Christie

Also at the show, which wrapped up on March 1, NGA announced the officers appointed to its 2022 executive committee. This year’s committeee members include Ted Balistreri of Sendik’s Food Market as chairman, Mike Stigers of Cub Foods/United Natural Foods Inc. as vice chairman, Richie Morgan of North State Grocery as treasurer, David Smith of Associated Wholesale Grocers as secretary and Cheryl Sommer of Kaune’s Neighborhood Market as immediate past chair.

NGA, too recognized the service of outgoing board members, who include Kristi Magnuson Nelson of Hugo’s Family Marketplace, Mike Violette of Associated Grocers of New England, Steve Heggelke of Bozzuto’s Inc., Dave Conroy of Fiserv and Stratton Sigler of Unilever.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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