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 […]
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 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 […]