C&S Snags DoD’s Seven Seals Award

C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. has received the Seven Seals Award from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the New Hampshire Committee for Employer Support the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The second-highest honor of the state committee goes to those employers that demonstrate the highest levels of support for service members. To be eligible for the award, employers must have signed a statement of support for employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve, and must have received a nomination by a service member.

C&S was nominated by Lt. Col. Anthony R. Luiz, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, who in civilian life is director, food safety training, development and regulatory compliance at the wholesaler’s corporate headquarters in Keene, N.H.

David Quinn, state chairman of the New Hampshire ESGR Committee, along with Maj. Gen. William Reddel, the adjutant general, N.H., and Ronald White, deputy executive director, ESGR, from Washington D.C., presented the award late last month to Shelby Russell, C&S’ corporate manager, human resources, and Luiz at a ceremony held at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, Saint Anselm College, in Manchester.

C&S has a goal to hire 500 returning U.S. military service members. “I know first-hand that America’s service members have great leadership ability, initiative, and self-discipline,” said Russell, a retired master sergeant, senior non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. “My personal experiences in the military prepared me for work at C&S in many ways. I was able to bring the skills I learned in multicultural teambuilding, time/project management and conflict resolution. Since arriving at C&S, I found that I thrive in the fast-paced work environment, and enjoy our employee and company support of the local communities during disasters and emergencies. Everyone is involved in everything while having fun in the process.”

“C&S’s approach to veterans is one of flexibility and compassion,” noted Sophia Rodriguez, Staff Sgt., U.S. Air Force and C&S warehouse supervisor. “Not everyone can relate to what it is like for veterans to put their life on hold for the good of the country, let alone the toll it takes on the person. Everyone I have had the pleasure to work with has made it seamless for me to transition in and out of the workforce. I have been well taken care of and appreciate the commitment that C&S has made for me and my family in order to provide a desired place of employment for veterans.”

C&S, the largest food wholesaler and the ninth-largest privately held company in the United States, serves about 3,900 stores from more than 50 locations in 11 states.