Laurel Grocery Chairman Emeritus Inducted Into Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- George W. Griffin, chairman emeritus of London, Ky.-based wholesaler Laurel Grocery Co., was recently honored as the first inductee into the Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame by the Kentucky Grocers Association/Kentucky Association of Convenience Stores (KGA/KACS), based here.

During his acceptance remarks, Griffin said the employees of Laurel Grocery Co. were the ones who were ultimately responsible for the success of the company during his leadership. Griffin retired from the company in 1997 after building a succession team that includes third-generation members of the Griffin and Chestnut families -- founding partners of the company in 1922.

Bruce Chestnut, c.e.o. of Laurel Grocery, talked about the impact Griffin has had on his career. "Working side by side with George Griffin over the past 38 years, he has taught me the ways to succeed in business, using honesty and wisdom -- the honesty to do everything you say you will do, and the wisdom to not say more than you can do. He laid the foundation for a business that will carry on in the future competitive environment of the grocery industry," said Chestnut.

The Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame was established in 2004, and Griffin is the first of three 2005 inductees to be honored. Ruel and Suel Houchens of Houchens Industries will be inducted during a ceremony in December 2005.

The Kentucky Grocers Association Hall of Fame Committee selected George's son, Winston Griffin, a third-generation Laurel employee, to speak about this year's first inductee.

Winston Griffin opened his remarks with "I've known Dad all my life," and related stories of how he and his siblings were often at the warehouse with their father and sometimes counted on Laurel employees for transportation home in time for dinner.

Winston continued his tribute to his father by reading letters from other industry leaders. National Grocers Association's president, Tom Zaucha, sent a letter of congratulations, and Ed Crenshaw, president of Publix Supermarkets, also offered appreciation for all George Griffin has done for the industry.
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