Skogen Named WGA Grocer of the Year

The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) has named Mark Skogen, president and CEO of Skogen's Festival Foods, its 2014 Grocer of the Year.

A third-generation grocer and son of Dave Skogen, winner of the WGA's Grocer of the Year award in 2005, the younger Skogen was lauded for his "true belief in giving back and enriching the lives of those in the communities" his company serves, as well as his "instinct, passion and competitive drive to firmly establish Festival Foods as one of Wisconsin’s leading independent grocers.”  

Among his accomplishments as leader of Festival Foods, Skogen introduced the Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Associate Discount Card, as well as programs for tuition reimbursement, health/fitness club reimbursement and smoking cessation.

Under his leadership, Festival has opened 10 new grocery stores, including its milestone 20th location, slated to open later this year. Festival plans to open a new 57,000-square-foot facility in Madison in the summer of 2015.