Meijer has named the winners of its 2025 Legacy Awards, the retailer’s highest internal honors recognizing employees who demonstrate exceptional leadership and community service.
The awards comprise the Fred Meijer Award, given annually to one person, and the Earl Holton President’s Award, which recognizes up to five employees.
Toledo Market Director Randy Lewis received the 2025 Fred Meijer Award for demonstrating the founder’s values of humility, generosity and passion for serving others. Lewis has spent 38 years with the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer and has mentored 13 market directors over the past two years, influencing the growth and performance of more than half of Meijer’s current retail team members.
“It is an honor to spotlight team members who exemplify our values and serve our communities,” said Executive Chairman Hank Meijer. “Our team members are the best in the Midwest, and we appreciate their dedication to driving innovation and ensuring our customers feel the Meijer difference when they shop with us.”
Lewis conducts immersive store visits and provides one-on-one coaching to team members across the retailer’s footprint. His mentorship approach focuses on connecting with people at all levels to inspire and develop talent throughout the organization.
Meijer awarded the Earl Holton President’s Award to five team members for leadership, excellence, and innovation in delivering strategic initiatives critical to company success:
- Kristin Brouwers, visual merchandising manager
- Don Cress, business finance systems manager
- Charles Lambus, assistant store director
- Mark Petrie, IT business engagement director
- Carolyn Vallette, store director
The Earl Holton President’s Award honors the legacy of Meijer’s former longtime president through recognition of exceptional performance and strategic contributions.
“The Legacy Awards rely on nominations from coworkers, which makes them incredibly special because the recipient knows they made an impact on those closest to them,” said President and CEO Rick Keyes. “I am especially proud of all of the team members we are recognizing today and appreciate their dedication to Meijer and the many Midwest communities we serve.”
The peer-nomination structure ensures winners are recognized by colleagues who witness their contributions firsthand. Meijer has more than 70,000 employees across 500-plus supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets and express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
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