Haggai to Become IGA Chairman Emeritus

Dr. Thomas Haggai, who has served on the IGA board since 1972, stepped down from his role as chairman and will become chairman emeritus as of April 1. IGA CEO Mark Batenic will step in as chairman on the same date.

“IGA is incredibly grateful for Tom Haggai’s leadership and innovation,” Batenic said. “Tom has been an ambassador to IGA for nearly 60 years now, and he will always be the inspirational face of IGA.”

Haggai was the first person from outside the supermarket industry to have a position on the board and he was named IGA president/CEO in 1986, tasked with creating an image of higher quality and service. In the 90s, under Haggai’s leadership, IGA membership grew worldwide; today, IGA is in more than 30 countries.

He also developed the Red Oval Family Partner program, an alliance of the industry’s premier food manufacturers and service providers to provide resources to member independents. The Hometown Proud theme was also Haggai’s idea and it still defines IGA’s roots and its retailers commitment to community involvement and personalized customer service.