The Midwest Retail & Grocery Alliance will present veteran lobbyist David Overfelt with the National Grocers Association’s Spirit of America Award on Oct. 22, honoring more than four decades of advocacy on behalf of Missouri’s grocers, retailers and businesses.
The award will be presented at the President’s Gala during the MRGA Convention at Camden on the Lake resort at the Lake of the Ozarks. Established in 1982, the Spirit of America Award honors industry and community leaders for community service and government relations on behalf of the independent supermarket industry, with past recipients including Presidents George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford.
Overfelt’s career in advocacy began working alongside his father, Samuel E. “Sam” Overfelt, the longtime lobbyist for the Missouri Grocers Association. David learned the business from the ground up as he assisted in representing the state’s grocery industry before the legislature and state agencies. Upon his father’s retirement, Overfelt assumed leadership of the association’s government relations efforts, continuing a family legacy of service to Missouri’s independent grocers and food retailers.
Over more than 40 years in Jefferson City, Overfelt has represented the industry on issues ranging from taxation and labor laws to food regulations, alcohol policy and consumer protection. He also has served as president of the Missouri Retailers Association, representing retailers of all sizes statewide, with advocacy focused on promoting a strong business climate, reducing regulatory burdens and protecting the interests of Missouri retailers and consumers.
MRGA represents grocery retailers and industry partners throughout the Midwest, advocating for the grocery industry while providing education, resources and networking for its members.