Store Managers

MICHELLE DORIN

Director of Pricing, Weis Markets

• ➤ A key member of Weis’ team, Dorin oversees such areas as budgets, accuracy and the shrink-reduction process.
• ➤ She worked with several teams, including IT, to develop a unique store-strategy change process, as well as advertising for an improved — and more cost-effective — shelf tag program.
• ➤ Dorin coordinated with the accounting department to improve the store-level inventory credit process to better control shrink, and also helped upgrade the company’s pricing program to drive a stronger overall value proposition, while collaborating with vendors and category managers on improved pricing programs for known-value items.

PATTI OLENICK

Sustainability Manager, Weis Markets

• ➤ Developing and implementing sustainability initiatives for Weis’ 166 stores, distribution center and manufacturing facilities, Olenick collaborates with all company departments, as well as with the Food Marketing Institute’s Sustainable Executive Committee.
• ➤ Spearheading the retailer’s Energy Awareness Program (EAP), Olenick worked closely with the stores’ individual “Energy Captains” while overseeing the company’s food waste diversion/composting program.
• ➤ Olenick monitored actual electricity usage while identifying reductions and dollar savings as a result of EAP, which in 2013 helped save more than $2 million.

BARBARA PATTERSON

Ahold USA/Giant-Carlisle, Chadds Ford, Pa.

• ➤ Patterson completed a major remodel, managed a grand reopening and achieved improved earnings from the prior year, as well as supported the community by encouraging healthy lifestyles and participating in hunger relief efforts.
• ➤ She’s also the district lead for customer operations managers, holding bimonthly meetings and acting as their mentor.
• ➤ As part of her involvement with the internal business resource group Women Adding Value, Patterson helped in the development of three associates, resulting in their advancement within the company.

MARY ANN OWENS

Ahold USA/Giant-Carlisle, Lancaster and Ephrata, Pa.

• ➤ Selected to open a new flagship store in Ephrata, Pa., that features the company’s newest format, anchored by a vast perishable hall, Owens selected her team, held leadership meetings, planned to merchandise strategically to the area’s needs and fostered an environment in which associates could excel at customer service.
• ➤ Reaching out to the community, she became involved in the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce and teamed with the local food bank to help those in need.
• ➤ While still managing the Lancaster store, she received a regional food safety award from the company.

KENDRA LOGAN

Ahold USA/Giant-Landover, Ellicott City, Md.

• ➤ Assigned to a store with many challenges, Logan changed the perception of the market in the community and among her own associates by demonstrating her commitment, concern and dedication to resolve any issues that might arise.
• ➤ Through her involvement in neighborhood associations to understand the community’s needs, she expanded the store’s diabetic section and store-brand selection.
• ➤ The store adopted the local assisted-living community, catering and serving their Christmas dinner, and also donated lunch bags to low-income schoolchildren.

BRIDGET VALLELY

Ahold USA/Stop & Shop New England, Newport, R.I.

• ➤ Realizing that the store to which she’d just transferred didn’t carry enough gluten-free products to meet customer demand, Vallely worked with the sales directors to add 16 feet of such items in the natural food department.
• ➤ She is district lead for nonperishable inventories and center store, counsels peers on sales and profit opportunities, and often takes on additional responsibilities.
• ➤ Every year, Vallely helps raise funds for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Providence, R.I., among other community activities.

CONNIE TASSIELLI

Ahold USA/Stop & Shop New England, Southington, Conn.

• ➤ As community leader for her district, Tassiello initiated a relationship with the Northwestern United Way and recruited a group of volunteers to participate in its “Day of Caring.”
• ➤ Her ties to Southington include sponsoring and presenting at a public school volunteer luncheon, sponsoring the Unico Club Italian Festival, and holding a free community Easter egg hunt.
• ➤ This 2013 “Rookie of the Year” developed two associates who were promoted to night manager positions.

MELINDA McCARTHY

Ahold USA/Stop & Shop New England, Provincetown, Mass.

• ➤ McCarthy regularly conducts meetings consisting of key business reviews of all departments, as a result of which her store became a focus store for the district.
• ➤ Overall improvements in computer-assisted ordering compliance, vendor accountability, strict back-room controls and department manager knowledge have driven the store’s sales and overall morale.
• ➤ Identifying the need for additional natural food and gluten-free items for customers, McCarthy enlisted her district director and center store sales manager in a plan to increase natural food items by more than 400 SKUs.

MELODY MARCHIOLI

Ahold USA/Stop & Shop New England, Norwell, Mass.

• ➤ Marchioli ran the pilot store for such programs as hand-held ordering for the perishable departments and a POS register system, relaying ideas and advice to the rollout teams and upper management.
• ➤ She organized a coat drive within her district that garnered more than 400 coats for needy South Shore families, and helped collect more than 1,000 toys for the district’s Toys for Tots program.
• ➤ Marchioli was nominated for “Rookie of the Year” in both 2013 and 2014.

STACEY DAUPLAISE

Ahold USA/Stop & Shop New England, West Springfield, Mass.

• ➤ Dauplaise’s store was chosen for a special focus project examining procedures and practices to help identify and reduce shrink.
• ➤ Department business meetings she established, which empower department managers to take the lead in discussing department-specific operations, have been rolled out to the entire region.
• ➤ Named the western Massachusetts community service district lead, Dauplaise has formed partnerships with area food relief organizations, the American Red Cross and a local cat shelter, and monthly recruits stores to volunteer at a food bank.

TAMMIE SMITH

Ahold USA/Stop & Shop Metro New York, Medford, N.Y.

• ➤ In addition to maintaining her core store, Smith oversees the region’s top-performing Peapod e-grocer location.
• ➤ During a major renovation, she continued to assist the district as lead customer service manager and mentored three assistant store managers while coordinating all construction details and designing a four-week grand-reopening celebration featuring customer giveaways and kid-friendly activities.
• ➤ Her community outreach efforts include volunteer work for Jacob’s Light, which assembles packages for the troops; various cancer research organizations; Toys for Tots; and Long Island Harvest’s summer lunch program.

WILLA KAGAN

Ahold USA/Stop & Shop Metro New York, Hampton Bays, N.Y.

• ➤ As a participant in the “Plastic Bag Task Force” sponsored by the town of Southampton, Kagan has sat in on town hall meetings to discuss ways that Stop & Shop can reduce plastic bags in the community.
• ➤ For Earth Day, Kagan and her associates cleaned a part of Southampton, honored kids who participated in the store’s poster contest, and handed out reusable bags and coloring sheets to local elementary schoolchildren.
• ➤ During Hampton’ Bays St. Patrick’s Day parade, Kagan and her team handed out reusable bags to residents.

MISTY O’DELL

Bi-Lo Holdings LLC/Bi-Lo #5555, Greenwood, S.C.

• ➤ Thanks to improved identical-store sales and earnings, O’Dell’s supermarket is currently ranked 2nd in a 15-store district.
• ➤ Starting as a cashier while in high school and later entering Bi-Lo’s management training program, she has mentored and coached a number of her employees, who have since been promoted to manage their own stores.
• ➤ O’Dell led her associates to raise more than $12,000 for Meals on Wheels and the Food Bank of Greenwood, and she was the tournament director for a local golf event to raise money for charity, garnering $5,400-plus in funds.

ASHLEY O’DELL

Bi-Lo holdings LLC/Winn-Dixie #434, Anniston, Ala.

• ➤ Ranked first in customer satisfaction in her district, O’Dell connected with her large number of customers of German descent by finding a source from which to purchase their preferred products.
• ➤ After noticing that many of her customers used coupons, she started free in-store classes explaining how shoppers can get the most value out of their coupons.
• ➤ She launched a food drive to collect items for the military and local animal shelters, and teamed with a group to help stock the area food pantry’s shelves. O’Dell was promoted to store director after leading a crisis team on special assignment to help during Hurricane Isaac.

KATHY GUERTIN

Big Y World Class Market, Lee, Mass.

• ➤ Guertin’s store was one of Big Y’s biggest success stories in 2013: She and her team worked hard to drive top-line sales, control expenses and limit waste, and her top priorities were customer and employee engagement.
• ➤ Guertin was also involved in the launch of Big Y’s new fuel and convenience format, Big Y Express.
• ➤ Chosen to serve on the company’s vision statement committee, she was one of two store directors selected to represent Big Y at the Food Marketing Institute Future Connect conference.

JACKIE KERBY

Buehler’s Food Markets Inc., Canton, Ohio

• ➤ Recognized for continued sales increases of 10 percent from year to year, Kerby’s store sponsors, organizes and participates in a variety of events, including car shows in the store parking lot to raise money for local parks, and store tours in partnership with local hospitals.
• ➤ Her efforts led to the location’s recognition as Independent Readers’ Choice for Best Grocery Store in 2013.
• ➤ Kerby has worked in the supermarket business since the age of 17 and is married to another Buehler’s store manager, Jack Kerby.

LINDA GAMMELGAARD

Cub Foods, Maple Grove, Minn.

• ➤ Gammelgaard, a retail veteran with 35 years of experience, oversees 160 employees at her store.
• ➤ Running a high-volume store in the midst of new competition, the highly energetic Gammelgaard maintains the utmost in store standards.
• ➤ She established a partnership with the University of Minnesota dietitian program to educate her store team and customers on healthy eating and shopping. A store director for 15 years, Gammelgaard has participated in leadership courses and continuing education throughout her career.

DONNA CHEW

Defense Commissary Agency, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

• ➤ As store administrator (assistant store director), Chew led operations while her commissary underwent a $15 million sustainment project, quickly and ably adapting to the daily changes that were necessary to overhaul the store, and implementing improved techniques and procedures, as well as training and mentoring managers.
• ➤ Temporarily promoted to store director for a four-month period, she capably managed store operations during a five-day government shutdown furlough.
• ➤ Chew successfully absorbed a 20 percent staffing reduction while maintaining the same level of service for patrons.

PHYLLIS BLACK

Defense Commissary Agency, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Commissary, Havelock, N.C.

• ➤ Under Black’s leadership, her commissary hosted its 10th annual Special Olympics event, leading to recognition from the North Carolina Special Olympics committee and a senior Procter & Gamble executive.
• ➤ She also hosted and organized the first ProCamp ever held aboard a military institution.
• ➤ Black holds the distinction of being DeCA’s first woman store director of a commissary in Japan (in 1994), and has since been recognized for maintaining an efficient, effective and diverse workforce at all of her locations.

RHONDA MAULDIN

Food Lion #2212, Simpsonville, S.C.

• ➤ Renowned as an excellent mentor to her 55-member store team, Mauldin delivered 14 percent identical sales in 2013 compared with 2012, and her location had the best same-store sales growth in Food Lion’s southern division.
• ➤ She was recognized by the grocer as Store Manager of the Year in 2013 and Southern Division Store Manager of the Year.
• ➤ Mauldin is involved in Harvest Hope Food Bank; supports local schools and served on the board for the Center of Community Services.

CHRISTINE KNAPIK

Giant Eagle #4032, Stow, Ohio

• ➤ Knapik excels in team development, which is evident in the promotions of many of her team members.
• ➤ Her store is recognized for consistently achieving excellent store conditions in store execution within her region.
• ➤ Along with about 30 of her associates, Knapik participates annually in the Stow-Hudson Diabetes Walk, and her location continually ranks among Giant Eagle’s top store campaign results for a variety of community-support fundraisers.

JENNIFER SMITH

Giant Eagle #5817, Cleveland

• ➤ Smith piloted a collaboration store format at Giant Eagle’s Legacy Village location, working more independently from regional field teams.
• ➤ A master trainer in her market, Smith provides training and development to new store leaders.
• ➤ Smith is a Giant Eagle chair for the American Diabetes Association, promoting the annual Tour De Cure Fundraiser, as well as being active in the local chamber of commerce and acting as a Little League coach.

MICHELLE O’BRIEN

Giant Eagle/Market District #1620, Uniontown, Ohio

• ➤ O’Brien successfully led her team through a remodel from Giant Eagle to the higher-end Market District format.
• ➤ She established a weekly social event, “6 for 6,” attended by more than 300 people every Friday.
• ➤ Chair of the board of directors and the executive board for the Green Chamber of Commerce, O’Brien volunteers for the Bulldog 5K fundraiser supporting local schools and other community organizations.

ANGIE NELSON

Hy-Vee Drug Store, Jefferson, Iowa

• ➤ Nelson was a full-time registered pharmacist in a Des Moines Hy-Vee store before being promoted to pharmacy manager, her role until she embarked on her current position of store director.
• ➤ Despite negative market factors, Nelson operates the second-most profitable Hy-Vee drug store, with sales volumes rivaling those of full-service Hy-Vee stores.
• ➤ She was instrumental in the transition to the Hy-Vee Main-street small-store concept.
• ➤ Nelson selects a local student to be the monthly store “Bucket Filler” among children who demonstrate acts of kindness.

MELISSA DRAHEIM

Hy-Vee, Rochester, Iowa

• ➤ Groomed for higher leadership since starting as a part-time checker, Draheim presided over a store that achieved a 6 percent sales increase and a 36 percent increase in profits in 2013.
• ➤ She expanded the store’s HealthMarket, adding gluten-free and other products, which resulted in a 14 percent increase in department sales.
• ➤ She personally and professionally supports the community through such means as United Way and local schools; additionally her store is a top donator to the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign and supports the local food pantry.

KATHLEEN MURPHY

Jewel-Osco, Barrington, Ill.

• ➤ Murphy grew sales 3.62 percent and exceeded company targets, resulting in recognition for her team; among other metrics, the store’s customer service score was 78.2, higher than company average.
• ➤ She gladly shares her business experience and has mentored a number of associates to promotions. She has not missed a scheduled day of work in 34 years.
• ➤ Murphy, who worked her way up through front end operations before entering management training, has registered for her 10^th Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

RHONDA ROBINSON

The Kroger Co./Atlanta Division #631, Opelika, Ala.

• ➤ Robinson and her team raised their associate engagement score by 15 points, putting them in the division’s top 20; additionally, store sales grew 5.6 percent and customer satisfaction scores rose 13 points.
• ➤ She has mentored 25 associates into key leadership positions, and her current location has the district’s top sales for dairy and floral, and is second for grocery and produce.
• ➤ In addition to being store director at several locations, Robinson was a deli/bakery coordinator for 22 stores, assisted in opening two new stores, and ran a store that was the first to achieve $1 million sales week in her district in 2011.

KRISTA AUSTIN

The Kroger Co./Cincinnati/Dayton Division #466, Florence, Ky.

• ➤ Austin’s store scored in her division’s top 10 in associate engagement and customer satisfaction, and in the top 20 for sales volume, in excess of $60 million; her achievements resulted in promotion to the division’s newest Marketplace store in April.
• ➤ She has been recognized by division leadership as one of 20 high potential store managers in the division, and was chosen to participate in a directed leadership development program.
• ➤ Austin was previously a co-manager, recruiter, labor relations manager and operations coordinator.

KARLA BROWN

The Kroger Co./Columbus Division #851, Canal Winchester, Ohio

• ➤ Brown’s store increased sales 6.7 percent and its profit rate by nearly 4 percent; by focusing on fresh, she led her produce team to an 11 percent sales increase and meat team to a 6.63 percent increase, and her store also led the division in meat shrink by −1.47 percent.
• ➤ Employing daily huddles and weekly posted communications, she increased her associate engagement score by 13 percentage points.
• ➤ Since 1999, Brown has been co-manager, HR coordinator and recruiter, United Way coordinator, and an integrated communication assistant.

MICHELLE GUZZO

The Kroger Co./Delta Division #440, Lakeland, Tenn.

• ➤ Guzzo led her store team through a major remodel and expansion, despite which total sales were 3 percent better than the yearly goal, ranking fourth in the district for the year.
• ➤ She implemented engagement activities, including a kids’ hard-hat program, an Easter egg hunt, a summer cookout, a Halloween dress-up event, Christmas cards for customers and in-store drawings for gift baskets, and also supports community groups, speaks at school career days and gives store tours.
• ➤ Guzzo has mentored three co-managers in their first-year assignments, is an active member of the division and district cultural councils, and participates in the selection of management candidates.

MELISSA “MISSY” RODRIGUEZ

The Kroger Co./Food 4 Less/FoodsCo #316, Fresno, Calif.

• ➤ Rodriguez took over a struggling store, driving sales from −3 percent to +3 percent while increasing gross profit and reducing expenses such as shrink and labor.
• ➤ She completed her eighth WAFC class and will soon receive her management certificate, is the cultural council district chair, and participates in the Network of Executive Women.
• ➤ With more than 15 years’ experience in the grocery business, Rodriguez has worked in many different levels of her company, and has assisted in the development of six co-managers, two store managers and seven perishables managers.

KRISTY BOWERS

The Kroger Co./Fred Meyer #053, Covington, Wash.

• ➤ Bowers was instrumental in the development of 24 action plans, working with store managers for execution of their store- and department-specific plans.
• ➤ She currently is enrolled in the USC Food Industry Management Program. Upon completion, she will be a part of a district of 24 locations with 5,300 associates.
• ➤ A Fred Meyer team member for nine years, Bowers has been a department manager, special projects district trainer and district coordinator, helping to execute the company’s leadership courses.

PENNY KING

The Kroger Co./Fry’s #676, Goodyear, Ariz.

• ➤ King’s store was in the top five for sales and EBITDA, and top 20 for customer wait time, key retailing, customer satisfaction and associate insights.
• ➤ A management trainer and mentor for several years, she has the respect of her peers as an inspirational and dynamic leader. In 2013, she was selected to serve on Fry’s Associate 1^st Committee, aimed at boosting associate engagement and solving customer concerns.
• ➤ Since starting at Fry’s as a courtesy clerk in 1981, King has been a cashier, bookkeeper, scanning coordinator, assistant front end manager, grocery manager and assistant store manager.

JIMMIE “LYNN” HACKLER

The Kroger Co./King Soopers/City Market #406, Durango, Colo.

• ➤ Hackler’s store was first in the 16-store district in associate engagement, key retailing, sales, EBITDA and decreased shrink.
• ➤ Her strategy: goal identification, collaboration with her team on a plan, superior execution and celebration of success.
• ➤ A Durango native, Hackler began at City Market in 1979 as a courtesy clerk, working her way up to checker, front end manager, assistant store manager and, in 2007, store manager. She leads the store’s fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society, Mercy Medical and the Rotary Club.

MARY BETH BAKER

The Kroger Co./Louisville Division #397, Frankfort, Ky.

• ➤ Baker’s store is one of the division’s top performers; Total store sales exceeded $60 million and profits exceeded $400,000.
• ➤ She teamed with local schools to teach food safety classes, healthy food preparation and math class projects. She won two significant safety events in her district, as well as a major marketing contest that promoted Kroger’s Simple Truth brand.
• ➤ Baker loves face-to-face interactions with customers and often spends time bagging groceries and helping her front end provide fast and friendly checkout service.

NATALIE RUBINO

The Kroger Co./Michigan Division #729, Commerce, Mich.

• ➤ Rubino managed Store #629 during its closure, along with its replacement next door, #729, leading team building training, and establishing standards and best practices for all associates.
• ➤ The new store, led by Rubino’s hand-picked staff, has exceeded expectations in its first three months.
• ➤ Previously responsible for deli/bakery operations in an 18-store district, Rubino has strong communication skills and effectively coaches her associates on merchandising and operational plans.

KADY SANOGO

The Kroger Co./Nashville Division #57, Hendersonville, Tenn.

• ➤ Sanogo’s store achieved $30 million in sales ($1.8 million profit) and greatly improved employee morale.
• ➤ Her team excelled in community events, including fundraisers for the CAN Hunger Campaign, Tools for School, and diabetes and cystic fibrosis research; the store also raised $3,500 for the grocery manager’s injured daughter and $500 for associates out of work for health reasons.
• ➤ An assistant store manager for five years before taking over in Hendersonville, Sanogo recently became marketplace sales promoter for the Nashville division.

KATY MELIN

The Kroger Co./QFC #838, Bothell, Wash.

• ➤ Melin raised her associate insights score by 16 points, putting her location in QFC’s top 20 engagement scores, and she finished the fiscal year far exceeding her EBITDA budget.
• ➤ She was selected to receive her own candidate to mentor in the management training program, and also became a member of the Store Manager Cultural Council.
• ➤ Melin began her grocery career at Olson’s in 1992 as a courtesy clerk, later joining QFC as a night crew manager and going on to manage three QFC locations.

NORMA MIJANGOS

The Kroger Co./Ralphs #44, Los Angeles

• ➤ After managing Store #709 with 60 associates, Mijangos was promoted to an upscale Fresh Fare location with 138 associates, where she ended the fiscal year with one of the highest EBITDAs in the company.
• ➤ Mijangos was nominated for the FMI Store Manager Award and has been invited to attend the Food Industry Executive Program at the University of Southern California.
• ➤ Mijangos has chaired her district’s cultural council, which received a top engagement score. She also actively participates in multiple community organizations and events.

ABBI KIMBALL

The Kroger Co./Smith’s #72, Park City, Utah

• ➤ After a year-long remodel and expansion, Kimball’s store had a grand reopening last July, followed by double-digit sales increases, beating the sales budget by more than $1 million.
• ➤ Her team increased their overall customer satisfaction scores by more than 50 percent in six months.
• ➤ Kimball’s store raised thousands of dollars for a school and children’s hospital, celebrated the heroes of a wildfire, and recruited volunteers for a school reading program. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management.

ELENA SHARBUTT

The Kroger Co./Smith’s #439, Albuquerque, N.M.

• ➤ Thanks to Sharbutt’s increased emphasis on customer service, working toward a goal of 80 percent overall satisfaction, her store increased sales in the wake of a remodel.
• ➤ Beginning her career with Smith’s in 2001 as a seafood clerk after emigrating from Russia a year earlier, she was accepted into the management development program in 2011 and took over the Albuquerque store in 2012 after spending a year as assistant manager at another location.
• ➤ Sharbutt attributes her store’s success to a team that provides excellent customer service.

DEBBIE GRUBB

Marsh Supermarket Muncie, Ind.

• ➤ Grubb guided her store to Marsh’s top 10 percent in sales and EBITDA, beating her prior-year sales by 1.6 percent and growing average basket size 2.8 percent.
• ➤ She helped secure a Marsh sponsorship for the Marsh Street Team, a program that teaches Ball State University marketing students to build community business relationships.
• ➤ Grubb organized regular school tours promoting Project 18, a statewide school health-and-wellness program designed to fight childhood obesity. Outside work, she volunteers with volunteer organization Charity for Children.

AISSATA DEME

Publix #282, Atlanta

• ➤ Deme significantly improved scores on her store’s annual employee workplace survey by focusing on her managers and associates to create an environment where everyone enjoyed working together, with the common goal of serving customers.
• ➤ Despite tough competition, she led her store team to exceed both sales and profit goals.
• ➤ A native of Senegal who is fluent in Spanish and French, Deme is able to relate to customers from a wide range of backgrounds. She started as a front-service clerk to pay her way through school.

KATHY LOBINSKY

Publix #1231, St. Augustine, Fla.

• ➤ Despite nearby competition, Lobinsky’s store still achieved sales and profit goals in the first full year it was open.
• ➤ Her store has received many compliments for providing exemplary customer service, including recognition as a Top 10 store in Publix’s Jacksonville division “Customer Engagement” campaign.
• ➤ Lobinsky is VP of the local chapter of Quota, an international organization committed to serving disabled and disadvantaged women and children, and also lends her support to United Way and Special Olympics.

KERRI TUBBS

Publix #1122, Orlando, Fla.

• ➤ Tubbs developed a weekly leadership class for associates interested in management positions, covering such areas as divisional standards, leadership skills, teambuilding, safety and shrink, and has taken her management team on luncheon outings to foster a cohesive working environment.
• ➤ Her store achieved superior financial performance for three consecutive quarters, earning an invitation to the quarterly success event.
• ➤ She has conducted various “teach-in” programs for local schools, speaking to classes about different areas of Publix.

KERRY TEEMS

Publix #507, Eustis, Fla.

• ➤ Teems purchased a bouquet of flowers for a local couple celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary, as part of her personal approach to superior customer service.
• ➤ Her focus on associate development included holding practice interviews with managers seeking promotions, participating in Publix’s mentoring program and helping develop a program to support her district’s newly promoted assistant department managers.
• ➤ Teems devotes time to a wide range of community organizations, including United Way, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, and Boys & Girls Clubs.

MELISSA CALDARELLA

Publix #1219, Lutz, Fla.

• ➤ For the fourth consecutive year, Caldarella exceeded her store’s sales and profit goals.
• ➤ She was featured in Publix News for her passionate support of hiring, promoting, and training associates, and appeared in a Publix “President’s Link” video for her commitment to customer service.
• ➤ She used in-store communication boards to inspire teamwork and communication, held a success event for all associates with perfect attendance, and celebrated those who graduated from high school and college by posting their pictures at the front of the store.

MISSY MACQUEEN

Publix #362, Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

• ➤ MacQueen set the example for leadership among her associates, earning her store positive associate reviews from the annual Associate Voice Survey program.
• ➤ She has participated in the mentor program the past five years, and her expertise is regularly sought by customers who are unsure about a product.
• ➤ MacQueen serves on the student advisory council at the local elementary school as a business partner, helped rebuild a children’s park through the United Way, and takes part in the March of Dimes Walk every year.

SUE ORDEN

Publix #30, Aventura, Fla.

• ➤ Orden encouraged some longtime associates at her store to pursue management careers, serving as a role model and mentor; several associates have since been promoted to full-time associates and management positions under her leadership.
• ➤ She made positive merchandising and product mix changes to the store, and her deli and bakery departments experienced an increasing sales trend.
• ➤ Orden is involved in various groups aiding abandoned and neglected animals, particularly Be Kind to Animals Rescue.

TERRI BROWN

Publix #1422, Tifton, Ga.

• ➤ Brown coordinated celebrations to recognize store and associate achievements, among them being accident-free for almost 200 days (and still counting).
• ➤ She used contests and events to create excitement, such as enabling kids to decorate eggs and make cards for Easter, or hosting an in-store Halloween costume contest.
• ➤ Brown and her team exceeded their United Way goal, raising the most money the store has ever raised for an internal campaign — no real surprise for this Mr. George Community Service Award winner.

IFFANY RALEY

Publix #525, Augusta, Ga.

• ➤ Raley achieved her 2013 goals for gross profit and net profit, despite replacing a well-liked manager at an established store in the midst of a remodel, with new competition sprouting up.
• ➤ As part of a year-long project, Raley asked her department managers to share a resolution or commitment (personal or professional), which she recorded and then helped them to achieve.
• ➤ An active volunteer for Junior Achievement, she has also helped to build three local Habitat for Humanity homes, among other community endeavors.

TRISH HEENAN

Publix #645, Plantation, Fla.

• ➤ Heenan led her store through a major remodel, right after her previously assigned store had undergone a similar overhaul.
• ➤ Through her “Huddle Up” program, she communicates opportunity and direction to her team daily. Her customer survey scores exceeded the district, region and division benchmarks.
• ➤ As well as performing such “random acts of kindness” as buying groceries for needy customers, Heenan is involved with the Barnabas House, which provides clothing to migrant workers; the Girl Scouts throughout her career; United Way; and March of Dimes.

ERIKA GARGALIKIS

Raley’s #304, Oakley, Calif.

• ➤ As a new store team leader, Gargalikis used her merchandising know-how to increase sales at the Oakley store.
• ➤ Gargalikis was hired in 1995 and was promoted to a management position in 1997. In 2013, the Oakley store won more sales contests than any other store in its district.
• ➤ She received an award from the Oakley Chamber of Commerce for her commitment, on behalf of Raley’s, to the Oakley community. The recipient of 19 service awards from Raley’s for her outstanding service to customers, Gargalikis coaches baseball and softball outside of work.

JACKI JENSEN-ROTH

Raley’s #445, Lodi, Calif.

• ➤ Jensen-Roth’s store, which she took over in 2013, is exceeding company budgeted goals in profitability by almost 4 percent.
• ➤ In her former longtime position of training partner for many years, she taught many of the company’s current rising stars. She started as a bookkeeper in 1993.
• ➤ A perennial partner with local schools and nonprofits such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Jensen-Roth has been president at the local Toastmasters and director of children’s ministries at her church.

KAREN BRODOVSKY

Raley’s #522, Gold River, Calif.

• ➤ Known for her beautifully merchandised store, Brodovsky has consistently exceeded all budgeted sales and profit numbers.
• ➤ Additionally, she’s a multiunit servant leader for six other stores in the geographic area, acting as coach, mentor and role model to her peers in these locations, as well as helping them “win back sales.”
• ➤ Brodovsky participated in such community events as the local SPCA annual drive, the Neighborhood Watch program, the Children’s Miracle Network and the Rancho Cordova High School mentoring program.

LINDA FREEZE

Raley’s #247, Yreka, Calif.

• ➤ Despite the opening of a Walmart Supercenter less than 100 yards away, Freeze’s store has consistently been in the top five in customer service scores.
• ➤ Employing creative merchandising, she led the way in company marketing programs such as “$5 Mondays,” with the result that her store has often led Raley’s in total store sales increases.
• ➤ Anticipating the evolution of her market by studying the competition, Freeze developed breakthrough ideas and new paradigms that have created value and sustained profits.

NATALIE SLATTER

Raley’s #231, Loomis, Calif.

• ➤ Slatter’s ability to align her store strategically, through customer and employee engagement, community involvement, and merchandising local products, has enabled the store to hold its own against Walmart and Target.
• ➤ Her leadership has had a positive impact on such metrics as employee engagement and budget performance.
• ➤ Actively involved in the Placer County Sheriff’s Department and Chamber of Commerce, as well as Del Oro High School, Slatter led her store team in donating and volunteering at the local food pantry during the holidays.

NICHOLE LEDD

Raley’s #524, Folsom, Calif.

• ➤ Leddy maintains a secondary supervisory role as a multiunit sales lead in the operations of seven area stores, in which capacity she oversees operations and coordinates with store team leaders to support the district manager’s vision and direction.
• ➤ Noted for her exceptional inventory control, labor process, strategic planning skills and bottom-line profitability management skills, Leddy employed unique coaching and development practices to deliver superior results.
• ➤ Her most significant talent, however, is for leadership, honed through vital integrity and honest business practices.

TERRY GUMP

Raley’s #1075, Reno, Nev.

• ➤ At her store, four female employees developed and mentored under Gump’s tutelage have been promoted to management roles.
• ➤ Routinely assigned to special group projects, she identified top performers, recruited new team members and dealt with poor performers by setting better standards for performance.
• ➤ Gump successfully secured her store’s presence in the community when a big-box retailer opened, leveraging Raley’s greater variety in perishables through creative displays, food events, food pairings and sampling demonstrations.

LINDA DEL PINO

Shaw’s/Star Market, Boston

• ➤ A 17-year associate, Del Pino, as assistant store director, is responsible for all aspects of store operations and success at the Morrissey Blvd. Star Market in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood.
• ➤ She was selected to run the “model store” for her district; as a result of her success, she was given the opportunity to finalize the remodel of her current location, working across the organization to complete the construction, resets and new marketing materials, as well as retraining associates.
• ➤ Del Pino has personally built strong relationships with the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester and Action for Boston Community Development.

LYNNETTE NETTLES

Shop ‘n Save #1810, Florissant, Mo.

• ➤ Nearly a 20-year employee of Shop ‘n Save, Nettles was promoted to store director from assistant store director in 2010, and currently manages 75 employees at the Mayfair store.
• ➤ Nettles’ efforts led to her store being named the Shop ‘N Save Store of the Year in 2013, guiding her team to new heights in terms of store standards on a daily basis.
• ➤ She is involved in several volunteer organizations and events, including the local fire department and school district.

MONIQUE AYALA

Smart & Final #521, Riverside, Calif.

• ➤ Ayala teaches, trains, develops, and schedules more than 40 associates. She has built sales and profits at her store, despite new competition just down the road.
• ➤ EBITDA performance year over year was greatly improved with Ayala at the helm, while shrink versus prior year was greatly improved.
• ➤ Ayala worked her way up to her current position from her start as a store associate in 1991. She managed several other stores before taking on her current assignment.

REGINA AMEZQUITA

Smart & Final #305, San Dimas, Calif.

• ➤ Amezquita manages a brand-new store, overseeing 60 associates.
• ➤ Formerly a district merchandiser, she took on the challenge of opening the first new store of 2014, working concurrently to help increase Smart & Final’s efforts toward increasing recognition and engagement.
• ➤ Amezquita is now halfway toward earning her retail management certificate at Cerritos College. She started with the company in 1998, working full- and part-time associate positions.

VERA ARGOTE

Smart & Final #304, Glendale, Calif.

• ➤ Argote’s 50-associate store is considered one of the company’s top performers.
• ➤ She took over a successful store and built on that success by beating budgeted sales and EBITDA for the year, with the result that the location won the 2013 Store of the Year for its district.
• ➤ A 21-year employee of Smart & Final, she was promoted to store manager in 2010 and managed three locations over the past four years.

SARA RASMUSSEN

SpartanNash/Bag ‘N Save #784, Omaha, neb.

• ➤ Rasmussen was asked to take on Store #784 and integrate cultures between two historical yet locally known competitive supermarkets.
• ➤ By assessing, listening and using her “Train-Coach-Teach” philosophy, she implemented daily expectations and worked on educating associates and changing overall operations to increase profits.
• ➤ She has participated in AIM Leadership and Management classes and the Supermarket S.M.A.R.T. Program with Harold Lloyd.

BRENDA WAGNER

SpartanNash/Econofoods #328, Red Wing, Minn.

• ➤ Wagner led integration efforts at newly acquired Bag ‘N Save and Fresh Madison Market stores while continuing to maintain the successful operation of her own store.
• ➤ Her store exceeded sales budget and gross profit budget, and came in under wage percentage budget
• ➤ Honors received by Wagner include Nash Finch’s Thumbs Up, One Year Safety and Constant Customer Feedback awards. She started in the industry while in high school with a job at a Nash Finch corporate store.

SUE THORNTON

Tops Market #360, Canastota, N.Y.

• ➤ Thornton played an integral role in Tops’ acquisition of the Grand Union stores, during which time she provided vast knowledge, training and leadership.
• ➤ Her extensive, experienced merchandising background provides her with an advantage in running the daily perishable operations within her store. Her experience dates back to Penn Traffic, a Tops acquisition.
• ➤ Extremely involved in her local community, she also handily surpassed all financial goals at her store.