Wisconsin Grocers Association closed out the 2025 Innovation Expo on Sept. 30 with an awards banquet to celebrate the WGA Award Winners at the Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells.
The WGA Awards consists of four categories: Community Service, Excellence in Operations, Vendor of the Year and Grocer of the Year. There can be multiple winners for the Community Service and Excellence in Operations categories, but only one winner in the Vendor of the Year and Grocer of the Year categories.
2025 Grocer of the Year
The 2025 Grocer of the Year is Greg, Kari and Nick Hansen of Hansen’s IGA Market. The Grocer of the Year is Wisconsin grocery industry’s highest honor and recognizes an individual for a lifetime achievement within the grocery industry. These honorees exemplify the highest quality of leadership in business and in their community; their influence has positively enhanced the lives of others.
Hansen’s IGA Market operates 16 stores across Wisconsin and employs more than 600 team members. The company has earned national recognition, including being named IGA USA Retailers of the Year and receiving the NRAB Chairman Excellence in Leadership Award in 2025.
Founded in 1968 with a single store in Bangor, Hansen’s has grown into a network of “hometown proud” supermarkets known for quality products, outstanding service and community engagement. This award represents a legacy in Wisconsin’s grocery industry. In 2008, Leo and Rosemary Hansen won the WGA Grocer of the Year award.
“This truly is a team award,” said Kari Hansen. “We are truly honored and humbled. There is no way this could happen without 600 other Hansen’s IGA Market team members.”
Mike Semmann, WGA President and CEO, added, “The Hansen family’s leadership blends tradition with innovation. Their dedication to customers, employees and communities across Wisconsin makes them a model for the grocery industry.”
2025 Vendor of the Year
The 2025 Vendor of the Year is Russ Davis Wholesale. The Vendor of the Year recognizes one vendor for its many contributions as a grocery industry partner, helping grocers strategically merchandise products and increase sales in one or multiple store categories.
Russ Davis Wholesale, the parent company of the Crazy Fresh brand, has long been a trusted partner to independent grocers across the state. The award recognizes the company’s dedication to quality, responsiveness and community engagement.
“Being selected as WGA’s 2025 Vendor of the Year is a culmination of the incredible relationships we enjoy with our retail partners,” said Mark Maloney, sales director at Russ Davis Wholesale and a member of the WGA Board of Directors. “Striving every day for fresh quality produce, above-industry fill rates and on-time deliveries, the Russ Davis team is focused on our retail partners and their guests’ satisfaction.”
Semmann emphasized the significance of the award. “Russ Davis Wholesale has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the success of the grocery industry and the membership of the Wisconsin Grocers Association,” he said. “Their dedication to quality relationships and partnerships with retailers across the state is a key ingredient to their success. Russ Davis Wholesale’s ability to continuously deliver value and support to our members has earned them the distinction of Vendor of the Year, and it’s a recognition they wholeheartedly deserve.”
[RELATED: Wisconsin Grocers Association Presents Jaskolski With First Lifetime Achievement Award]
Excellence in Operation Award
The Excellence in Operation award recognizes the honoree’s work ethic, commitment to the grocery industry and for efforts that have positively influenced their company, associates and customers. These honorees exemplify the highest qualities of leadership in business and community.
The 2025 Excellence in Operations winners are:
- Stacy Nachreiner, Viking Village Foods;
- Jeff Brasel, Festival Foods – Stevens Point;
- David Dickelman, Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly;
- Charlie Kilburg, Metro Market Stevens Point; and
- Maya Discianno, T.A. Solberg Co. Inc. (Trig’s).
Community Service Award
The Community Service award honors an individual who makes a difference in their community with volunteer efforts. The individual nominated for this award can be from any level within a grocery organization, as long as he or she volunteers their time to make a difference in the community.
The 2025 Community Service winners are:
- Miller & Sons Supermarket;
- Jerry Conner of Stockman’s Farm Supply & More;
- Jeff Helin, Perry’s Piggly Wiggly Edgerton;
- Mary Reske, Metro Market Mequon;
- Chad and Tiffany Mursau, Mursau’s Piggly Wiggly No. 281; and
- Charlie Harvey, Charlies County Market.
