The Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation (TGEF), the nonprofit arm of the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association (TGCSA), has inducted Betsi James of Food City and Paulo Koch of Alliance Retail Group into the Hall of Eagles, its hall of fame.
“Betsi and Paulo are deserving of this high honor, because they have both made lasting impacts on the scholarship programs of TGEF,” said Rob Ikard, TGCSA president and CEO.
“Their efforts will continue to bless families in Tennessee’s food industry for years to come.”
Eligibility for Hall of Eagles membership is met when a person’s efforts on behalf of TGEF result in raising $100,000. James and Koch have exceeded those milestones through their various fundraising activities.
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For the past three years, James has served as chairman of the TGCSA’s East Tennessee Golf committee and the TGEF’s East Tennessee Breaking Clays for College sporting clays event.
A Food City employee since 1999, James serves as special events coordinator for the grocer’s Knoxville division, along with sports marketing and division nonprofit relations.
From his post as VP of Alliance Retail Group, Koch has used his connections with food industry suppliers to benefit the efforts of TGCSA’s West Tennessee Golf Classic. His stewardship of the event over the last four years has raised considerable funds for the association and the TGEF’s scholarship programs.
“Congratulations to Betsi and Paulo, with an enduring thanks for touching so many lives through their efforts,” Ikard said.
About the TGCSA
Founded in 1978, the TGCSA is the only food trade association that represents all segments of Tennessee’s food market. Its membership comprises retail grocery store and convenience store operations, as well as food industry wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors and suppliers.
