Certified Federal Credit Union CEO Steve Weakley is one to give credit where credit is due (no pun intended). He continues to recount the contributions of Donna Simpson, the late EVP and COO of Certified Federal Credit Union who passed away last August following a cycling accident in Idaho. She was like family to Weakley, […]
Category: Food Industry Hall of Fame
The Food Industry Hall of Fame was established to recognize men and women across the U.S. food industry who have provided leadership and fostered innovation over their careers.
These executives also have earned the respect of their industry peers for their dedication and the example they set, not only for those in their own companies but people across the industry’s many facets. Their families and communities also typically are beneficiaries of these executives’ time and attention, making them even more worthy of Food Industry Hall of Fame induction.
In these stories, the honorees’ work history and affiliations are chronicled along with their achievements and contributions to the industry.
Inductees prior to 2013 can be found here.
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, News, West
Weakley: CFCU Goal Is To Serve All Of California
Certified Federal Credit Union (CFCU) has grown by virtue of mergers over the years, typically when another credit union has sought them out. Along the way, CFCU added Auto Club Credit Union in Costa Mesa; Metropolitan Water District Credit Union, representing employees that supply water for Southern California; and just last year, Prospectors Federal Credit […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Executive News, News, West
For CFCU CEO Weakley, ‘Real Success’ Lies In Helping Others
Steve Weakley had his first job in the grocery industry when he was 18, just before entering college. That was at Certified Grocers, unloading boxcars. After college, roles at Albertsons and Vons followed before he was able to merge two of his loves – grocery and numbers – with a role at the credit union […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, U.R.M. Stores, West
Culture Of URM Stores Inc. Built On Communication, Fairness, Respect
Having weathered challenging work environments in his career, Ray Sprinkle, CEO and president of URM Stores Inc., was determined to create a different kind of workplace when he joined the Spokane, Washington-based company – one characterized by positivity and support. Instead of micromanaging, Sprinkle prefers a hands-off approach, focusing on hiring highly qualified people, trusting […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Executive News, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Sprinkle Hailed For Visionary Leadership, Strong Commitment To Mentorship
When he was 14, Ray Sprinkle was hired to sort soda bottles in the back of the grocery store his father ran in Kansas. Sprinkle didn’t know it at the time, but he would go on to spend the bulk of his 50-plus-year professional career – and make a name for himself – in that […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Executive News, West
Superior Grocers CEO Wardwell Hailed For Exceptional Leadership, Dedication
There are words that come up frequently when people talk about Richard Wardwell, president and CEO of Superior Grocers. Driven. Intense. Hands-on. Aware. Friendly. Funny. Tireless. Good-hearted. Humble. Competitive. He doesn’t sleep much and works six 15ish-hour days a week, which would make most people unable to be any of those things. When he’s not […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Coborn's, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Upper Midwest AWG Division Providing Opportunities For Growth
AWG’s Upper Midwest division opened in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 2022. It is comprised of two facilities – a 300,000-square-foot dry facility and a state-of-the-art, 330,000-square-foot fresh/frozen facility. Emile Breaux, SVP, chief sales and support officer for AWG, said the expansion into the new geography just made sense. “We knew that there were a number […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Midwest
Strong Executive Team Ready To Lead AWG To Future Success
When AWG President and CEO David Smith retires at the end of the year, his successor will step into the leadership role well prepared to steer the company into the future. Dan Funk, incoming president, has been working with Smith for several months preparing for the transition. Even before being named as Smith’s successor, the […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Midwest
AWG, Circana Partnership Launches Portal For Integrated Collaboration
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. and Circana (formerly IRI) teamed up in January 2022 to launch AWG Partner Gateway, a portal to enable integrated collaboration between members and their vendor partners using Circana’s Liquid Data technology. The gateway is part of AWG’s Convergence initiative. Convergence is AWG’s long-term strategy to operate as a $23 billion cooperative […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Midwest
AWG Working To Increase Efficiencies With Convergence
Technology is the top strategic investment for AWG, according to its annual report. Part of that technology investment has been in the co-op’s Convergence initiative, which is the alignment of AWG, its member stores and supply partners. Convergence brings the co-op and its members together to work on areas to scale its more than $24 […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Southeast
AWG’s All-In-One Distribution Hub First In North America
AWG’s all-in-one distribution hub in Hernando, Mississippi, has been a huge investment and massive undertaking for the company. The AIO facility is providing immediate and long-term sustainable benefits to the membership, according to AWG. The first of its kind in the U.S., and just the third such facility in the world, the AIO will replace […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Home Page Latest News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG’s Smith Reflects On Storied 48-Year Career In Grocery
“It’s been a good ride.” Reflecting on his 48-year career in the grocery industry and upcoming retirement, David Smith, president and CEO of Kansas City-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, said it will be the people he will miss the most – co-workers, AWG member retailers and vendors. Shelby Publishing is inducting Smith into its Food Industry […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Southwest
Brown’s Children Reflect On Father’s Historic Career
Courtney Brown and Ava Brown Shell grew up working in their father’s grocery store in Bixby, Oklahoma. Courtney now is CEO of Doc’s Food Stores Inc. while Ava comes in to help when needed. And her husband, Jake Shell, is center store director. Courtney and Ava were pleased to talk with The Shelby Report about […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Home Page Latest News, Southwest
Brown Credits Success To Lessons Learned From Father
Jim Brown, owner of Doc’s Food Stores, headquartered in Bixby, Oklahoma, has been inducted into Shelby Publishing’s Food Industry Hall of Fame. Brown has been working in the grocery business since he was knee-high. His father, Roy “Doc” Brown, owned and operated a grocery store in Bixby after moving to the small town just outside […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Albertsons, Southeast, The Kroger Co.
‘It’s A Simple Business, We Just Try To Make It Hard’
Rodney “Rod” Antolock, former president of Harris Teeter and a vital part of the company for two decades before retiring in early 2022, has been inducted into The Shelby Report’s Food Industry Hall of Fame. Antolock joined Harris Teeter in 2000. At the time, he was the division president for Albertsons in San Antonio, according […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Retailer of the Year, Southeast, Woman Executive of the Year
Harris Teeter Continues To Build On History Of Success
Harris Teeter was co-founded in 1960 by North Carolina grocers William Thomas “W.T.” Harris and Willis Lee “W.L.” Teeter. Harris, from Charlotte, and Teeter, from Mooresville, met through the North Carolina Food Dealers Association, according to Danna Robinson, director of corporate affairs for Harris Teeter. Harris owned and operated Harris Super Markets; Teeter owned and […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Retailer of the Year, Southeast, Woman Executive of the Year
Harris Teeter’s Offerings Keep It At Forefront Of Fresh, Innovation
Matthews, North Carolina-based Harris Teeter is The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year. From its founding 62 years ago, the company has grown to become a premier regional grocery store brand in the Southeast. It boasts 258 stores and 70 fuel centers and two distribution centers in seven states. The company has […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Retailer of the Year, Southeast, Woman Executive of the Year
Harris Teeter Named Southeast Retailer Of The Year
Matthews, North Carolina-based Harris Teeter has been named The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year. In addition, President Tammy DeBoer was awarded Female Executive of the Year and past president Rod Antolock was inducted into the Food Industry Hall of Fame. “We are honored to be named Retailer of the Year – […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Innovator of the Year, West
Cardenas’ Doug Sanders Named To Food Industry Hall Of Fame
Doug Sanders was raised in the East Texas town of Nacogdoches, which sits two hours north of Houston and three hours southeast of Dallas. Sanders grew up spending summers working on his grandparents’ farm. Now in his 38th year in the grocery industry, he finds himself serving as chairman and CEO of California-based Cardenas Markets, […]
Posted inInnovator of the Year, Food Industry Hall of Fame, West
Foundation’s Pillars Focus On Education, Health, Hunger, Children
The Cardenas Markets Foundation is a nonprofit noted for its charitable efforts that impact the lives of those in the areas the grocer serves. The foundation supports organizations committed to advancing health, children’s well-being, hunger relief and education. According to its president, Adam Salgado, who also serves as the grocer’s chief marketing officer, the foundation accrues […]