At its recent annual shareholder meeting, Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Associated Grocers Inc.’s shareholders elected Daphne Lamendola, the fourth-generation owner/operator of Lamendola’s Supermarket in Gonzales, as its first female board of directors member.
Lamendola’s is one of the oldest family-owned and operated establishments in Ascension Parish, as well as one of the most tenured retail members of Associated Grocers Inc.
Lamendola’s perspective will not only be unique, but as a single-store operator she represents a large faction of retailers. 
“I can identify with the benefits and challenges that independent grocers face,” Lamendola stated. “I’ve always monitored the trends and forecasts within the grocery industry and sought ways to implement programs and ideas that are essential to our business. In essence, we want customers to have an ‘experience’ when shopping for their families.”
She is very detail oriented, as she lends focus to bringing projects to life with great excitement. Now, she will use those attributes as a member of the board to help guide retail member stores.
“I know first-hand, from watching my grandfather (Sonny Lamendola) and my dad (Blair Lamendola), of the support that Associated Grocers Inc. and the board of directors have provided in shaping and advising retail members,” Lamendola stated. “I am honored to follow in those footsteps, humbly, and with great esteem, contributing to such an illustrious legacy.”
Lamendola bought Lamendola’s 10 years ago from her father. She is the mother of a 10-year-old son, Easton Lamendola Brazzel, a graduate of Southeastern University and a member of St. Theresa’s Church.
Re-elected incumbents to Associated Grocers Inc.’s Board of Directors are: Derek Benedetto, vice chairman (Benedetto’s & Hubben’s Supermarkets), Greg Champagne (Champagne’s Markets) and Marc Robert II (Robert’s Fresh Markets).
Other members of the board are: Carl “Stan” Cain, chairman (Carter’s Supermarkets); Michael “Chad” Soprano, secretary (Soprano’s Supermarket); Barry Breaux (Breaux Mart Supermarkets); Jim Crifasi (Hi Nabor Supermarkets); Barry Loy (The Markets); and Ernie Matherne (Matherne’s Supermarkets).
Associated Grocers Inc. has more than 180 independent retail members in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas who serve their communities. The Associated Grocers Inc. Distribution Center is located in Baton Rouge.
