NHGA’s Dumais Receives N.G.A. Association Leadership Award

John Dumais, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Grocers Association (NHGA) was presented the National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) Association Leadership Award for his dedication and continued service as a true community focused state association executive.

"N.G.A. is proud to recognize John for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the grocery industry, the state of New Hampshire, and the many charitable and community organizations he has served,” said Tom Wenning, EVP and general counsel of the National Grocers Association, who presented the award at the NHGA Government Day. “This award is a real tribute to the high regard in which he is held by his members and officials throughout the state.”

A cornerstone of the industry for 40 years, Dumais has demonstrated unflagging leadership, according to NGA. He has been the president and CEO of the NHGA since 1974, which represents trade organizations statewide for the food industry. Its membership consists of over 800 members.

Dumais is a past board member and current member of the National Grocers Association, the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers of the independent sector of the food distribution industry. He is a past chairman and current member of the Asparagus Club, which invests in the future of the industry by providing deserving young students interested in pursuing a career in the grocery industry scholarship opportunities. John served as Past Chairman and current member of the Food Industry Association Executives, the international trade organization for state food executives. He is also a former board member and current member of the Food Marketing Institute, an international organization representing the supermarket industry.

In his home state of New Hampshire, Dumais served as past chairman of the New Hampshire Food Bank which finds resources to feed the needy through agencies statewide. He is also chairman of New Hampshire the Beautiful, an organization devoted to litter pick-up, waste reduction, recycling and environmental education. As a memorial to his first wife, John serves as a donor and advisor of the Mary M. Dumais Memorial Fund, a permanent endowment fund which contributes to non-profit organizations assisting women facing challenges in the work force.

Throughout his career, Dumais has received numerous accolades for his dedication to the industry, including the New Hampshire Catholic Charities Board of Trustees Recognition in 2009, the Grocery Manufacturer's Association Excellence in Government Affairs Award, 2004; The Asparagus Club president's award, 2003; the NE Society of Association Executives "We are Standing on your Shoulders Award," 2003; and the National Grocers Association Spirit of America Award in 1994.

NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. Most independent operators are serviced by wholesale distributors, while others may be partially or fully self-distributing. Some are publicly traded but with controlling shares held by the family and others are employee owned.