The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) annually presents awards to those in the industry who demonstrate excellence, have made significant contributions and are highly respected by their peers. The awards were presented on July 28 at the association’s annual conference in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Outstanding Grocer Award
The 2024 Outstanding Grocer Award was presented to Kris Kowalski Christiansen of Kowalski’s Companies Inc. Her journey in the grocery industry began at age 16 when she started as a part-time cashier, joining her parents in opening their first store on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.
Since 1990, she has been with the company full-time and has served as CEO since 2015, guiding Kowalski’s Markets through continued innovation and growth. Kowalski Christiansen is an active member of the MGA and has served on the MGA Board of Directors and executive committee since 2008, including as chair from 2018-20.
Outstanding Vendor Award
Michael Koehler, director of retail strategic regional accounts at Blue Bunny/Wells Enterprises, was honored by the MGA with its 2024 Outstanding Vendor Award. This award is given to those who show innovation in customer support and excellence in customer service, as well as involvement in the MGA.
He began his career in the industry at 16 years old, working as a bagger at a grocery store in Winona, Minnesota. His sales career started while attending college at Winona State. From there, he progressed from sales representative to customer category manager. For the past 17 years, Koehler has fashioned a successful career at Wells Enterprises, recently being promoted to his current position.
Koehler serves on the MGA Vendor Leadership Committee, which was established in 1998 to advance the interests of the association’s vendor partners through engagement and partnership opportunities.
MGA Hall of Fame
MGA President Jamie Pfuhl was inducted into the MGA Hall of Fame in recognition of her outstanding service and exemplary contributions to Minnesota’s food industry. For the last 27 years, Pfuhl has dedicated herself to the MGA by advocating for the entire food industry. This honor coincides with her Aug. 30 retirement.
Pfuhl has led the MGA as president for more than 19 years. Her efforts have been vital in strengthening MGA’s commitment to consumers, careers and the community. As an industry leader, she has contributed to a variety of committees, boards and task forces, advocating on the diverse challenges for industry at state and national levels.
Pfuhl has spent many years serving on the Minnesota Food Safety Task Force, has been a member of the FMI Government Relations Committee and served as chairperson of the Food Industry Association Executives Board of Directors in 2014-15.
[RELATED: MGA Names Garofalo As Incoming President, Succeeding Pfuhl]
Doug Winsor of Jerry’s Enterprises Inc. in Edina, Minnesota, was named chair of the Minnesota Grocers Association. He took over the position on July 28 from Chris Quisberg of S&R Quisberg Inc. in Baxter, Minnesota.
