The Wisconsin Grocers Association recognized grocery leaders, employees, families and industry partners from across the state during its 2026 Awards Banquet Aug. 18 at the Wilderness Resort Conference Center. The banquet closed out the WGA’s 2026 Innovation Expo.
The annual WGA Awards honor achievement across five categories: Community Service, Excellence in Operations, Lifetime Achievement, Vendor of the Year and Grocer of the Year. Multiple individuals or groups may be recognized in the Community Service, Excellence in Operations and Lifetime Achievement categories, while one recipient is selected for both Vendor of the Year and Grocer of the Year.
“This year’s WGA Innovation Expo celebrated grocers from across the state, and we are proud to host contests and recognize the accomplishments of Wisconsin’s grocery industry,” WGA Board of Directors Chair Steve Burkhardt said. “The Innovation Expo is where grocery owners, managers, future leaders and directors come together to find real, actionable solutions, not just ideas.”
Michelle Harrington of Albrecht’s Sentry Market was named the 2026 Grocer of the Year, the Wisconsin grocery industry’s highest honor. The award recognizes an individual whose career reflects exceptional leadership, achievement and service within the grocery industry. Grocer of the Year honorees exemplify the highest standards of leadership in business and their communities, making a lasting and positive impact on the lives of others.
Lipari Foods was named the 2026 Vendor of the Year. The award recognizes one vendor for its contributions as a grocery industry partner, helping grocers merchandise products, drive sales and strengthen performance across one or more store categories.
Now in its second year, the WGA Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals whose long-standing dedication, leadership and impact have helped advance Wisconsin’s grocery industry. The award celebrates careers defined by excellence, innovation, and service while recognizing individuals whose enduring contributions have benefited both the industry and their communities.
The 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are:
- John and Jean Blattner
- Pat, Bob and Lori Fox
- Gary Gundlach
- Tim and Kevin Metcalfe
- Carl Miller
- Trig Solberg
- Dan Williamson
The Excellence in Operations Award recognizes individuals for their work ethic, commitment to the grocery industry and efforts to influence their companies, associates and customers. Recipients demonstrate exceptional leadership in both business and their communities.
The 2026 Excellence in Operations Award recipients are:
- Rob LaCroix of Metro Market
- Mike Dion of Hometown Grocers Inc.
- Angie Miller of T.A. Solberg Co. Inc. (Trig’s)
- Ron and Cathy Lamb of Lamb’s Fresh Market
- Nathan Pederson of Main Street Market Piggly Wiggly
The Community Service Award recognizes individuals who make a difference in their communities through volunteerism and service. Recipients may serve at any level within a grocery organization and are honored for dedicating their time and talents to making their communities stronger.
The 2026 Community Service Award recipients are:
- Jacob Boehning of Pick ‘n Save
- Dave Losiniecki of Piggly Wiggly – Racine
- Aaron and Amy Laatsch of Laatsch’s Piggly Wiggly – Kewaskum
- The Balistreri family of Sendik’s Food Market
- Nate Vollmer of T.A. Solberg Co. Inc. (Trig’s)
“These awards represent some of the very best in Wisconsin’s grocery industry, and we are grateful for the dedication these individuals and organizations demonstrate every day,” WGA President and CEO Mike Semmann said. “Their commitment to their companies, their communities and the shoppers they serve reflects the essential role Wisconsin’s grocers play across our state. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and contributions.”
The Wisconsin Grocers Association is a nonprofit trade association established in 1900 to represent independent grocers and grocery chains, warehouses and brokers, vendors, suppliers and manufacturers before all levels of government. The WGA provides educational and networking opportunities, leadership training, public affairs and compliance information for its membership.
The WGA represents nearly 350 independent grocers with multiple locations across the state, more than 200 retail grocery chain stores, warehouses and distributors, convenience stores, food brokers and suppliers. Wisconsin grocers employ more than 30,000 people with more than $1 billion in payroll and generate more than $12 billion in annual sales in Wisconsin, resulting in approximately $800 million in state sales tax revenue, according to data provided by The Food Institute.