FMI – The Food Industry Association has honored eight executives with the 2025 Executive Leadership Award for embodying the core values of the food industry through their community engagement, innovation and exceptional customer service
The awards, which were presented during FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference on Marco Island, Florida, went to: SPAR International’s Tobias Wasmuht; H-E-B’s James Harris; the Biden Administration’s Will McIntee; Kimberly-Clark Corp.’s Denny Belcastro; Wegmans Food Markets’ Colleen Wegman; Compare Foods Supermarkets’ Omar Jorge; ShopRite of Hunterdon County’s Joe Colalillo; and Meijer’s Hank Meijer.
“The Executive Leadership Award winners are being deservedly celebrated for their unwavering commitment to excellence, collaboration and mentoring the next generation of food industry professionals, setting a benchmark for all of us,” said FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin.
“These leaders have earned the respect and admiration of their peers by demonstrating extraordinary vision and resilience in navigating today’s dynamic marketplace.”
Let’s take a closer look at the recipients:
Herbert Hoover Award for Humanitarian Service
Tobias Wasmuht, CEO, SPAR International
Wasmuht leads SPAR International, the world’s largest food retail voluntary organization. Since joining SPAR in 2000, he has driven its global growth across four continents and 48 countries, including launching SPAR in China in 2004.
Under his leadership since 2016, SPAR has expanded to more than 13,900 stores, with global sales exceeding €41 billion, guided by the “Better Together” strategy.
Tobias also serves on the boards of FMI, Independent Retail Europe and the Global Consumer Goods Forum, contributing to the advancements of independent food retailers internationally.
Esther Peterson Award for Consumer Service
James Harris, senior director of diversity and inclusion and supplier diversity, H-E-B
Harris, a 21-year H-E-B employee, leads the company’s diversity and inclusion and supplier diversity programs. In this role, he sets strategic direction, develops policy and works to support local, veteran and diverse businesses, connecting them with the company’s procurement and sourcing process.
His work drives H-E-B’s “Be the Change” initiative, the retailer’s mission to be a leading employer, retailer and community partner. Harris serves on boards for the Texas Diversity Council and NAACP Foundation and has earned honors such as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion Award.
Esther Peterson Award for Consumer Service
Will McIntee, former director of strategic engagement, Office of Public Engagement, The White House
McIntee is the former director of strategic engagement in the Biden White House’s Office of Public Engagement, where he focused on rural, agriculture, food and nutrition issues.
He played a key role in the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health and has led engagement around implementation of the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.
McIntee previously served as National Rural Engagement director for the Biden-Harris campaign and worked at the Department of the Interior during the Obama-Biden Administration.
A Waterloo, Iowa, native and Loras College graduate, McIntee is an advocate for healthier communities, putting an end to hunger and supporting all who work to produce food.
William H. Albers Industry Relations Award
Denny Belcastro, VP of industry affairs and customer development, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Belcastro leads strategic retailer partnerships and mentors future industry leaders at Kimberly-Clark.
With more than 40 years in the food industry, he has held leadership roles at Hillshire Brands, Kraft Foods, Nabisco and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, where he initiated the FMI/GMA Trading Partner Alliance. He also serves on FMI’s Industry Collaboration Council.
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Robert B. Wegman Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence
Colleen Wegman, president and CEO, Wegmans Food Markets Inc.
Wegman is the fourth-generation leader of Wegmans Food Markets, a 109-year-old company ranked the 39th largest U.S. supermarket chain. Since joining in 1991, she has led initiatives such as the “Food You Feel Good About” product line, Nature’s Marketplace, e-commerce strategy and merchandising operations.
Wegman chaired the United Way of Greater Rochester’s 2010 campaign, served as board chair from 2013-17 and sits on FMI’s board of directors, advising the association’s health and well-being, industry relations and food safety committees. She also has served on FMI’s board since 2014.
Glen P. Woodard Jr., Award for Public Affairs
Omar Jorge, CEO, Compare Foods Supermarkets
Jorge, former chairman of Aurora Grocery Group, is an advocate for supermarkets as vital community hubs, comparable to churches or schools. Raised in the grocery business, he joined Compare Foods in 2009, growing the company’s presence to 45 stores nationwide, including 26 in North Carolina, strategically placing stores in underserved neighborhoods to address food insecurity.
Specializing in Latino products and fresh meats and produce, Compare Foods caters to diverse cultures while expanding its appeal to broader audiences. Jorge combines tradition with innovation, using social media and technology to connect with customers and promote international flavors.
Sidney R. Rabb Award for Statesmanship
Joe Colalillo, president, ShopRite of Hunterdon County Inc.
Colalillo is a second-generation grocer at ShopRite of Hunterdon County, a family-owned business operating five ShopRite stores in New Jersey and Pennsylvania with 1,300 associates. His family joined Wakefern Food Corp., the nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative in 1954, and Colalillo served as its chairman and CEO from 2005-23.
Colalillo has been recognized for his commitment to serving customers, helping associates excel and supporting the community through his family’s work with local food pantries and hunger-fighting initiatives, including ShopRite Partners In Caring.
ShopRite of Hunterdon County also sponsors the annual Run for Hunger 5K, which has raised about $700,000 for Norwescap’s Food Bank, and supports organizations such as America’s Grow-A-Row. In 2016, Colalillo received the Robert B. Wegman Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. In 2005, he was honored with the New Jersey Food Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sidney R. Rabb Award for Statesmanship
Hank Meijer, executive chairman for Meijer Inc.
Meijer leads the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retail company that operates more than 260 supercenters throughout six Midwestern states. He began working in the family business as a grocery clerk at age 11 before graduating from the University of Michigan and later rejoined Meijer as assistant advertising director.
An author, Meijer published biographies of his grandfather, Hendrik Meijer, in 1985 and U.S. Sen. Arthur Vandenberg in 2017. He serves as vice chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and holds leadership roles with numerous organizations, including FMI and the Frederik Meijer Gardens Foundation.