FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

SACRAMENTO, CA — (January 20, 2009) – Darioush Khaledi, Chairman and CEO of K.V. Mart Co.; and Doug Detherage, Director of Customer Relations for Bimbo Bakeries U.S.A. will be inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach in Huntington Beach, CA.

The Foundation’s Hall of Achievement was created in 1993, and recognizes California grocery retailers and suppliers who have contributed substantially to the advancement of the grocery industry. (Previous inductees are included.)

“Both recipients are perfect candidates for this very prestigious food industry award,” said CGA President and CEO Ronald Fong, who also serves as Foundation president. “They exemplify all the important qualities of our great industry. We are proud to add them to our list of industry inductees.”

Khaledi is a first generation Persian-American who left his country to protest its dictatorship regime. Shortly after his arrival in Los Angeles, he teamed up with his brother-in-law and acquired their first Top Valu Market in Torrance, Calif. Today, Khaledi heads a chain of supermarkets under the banners of Top Valu Market, Valu Plus Food Warehouse, Buy Low, Price Rite Grocery Depot, Amar Ranch and Valu Mart. He also is the founder of Darioush Winery in Napa Valley, Calif.

Detherage has spent most of his 46-year career in the baking industry. He worked for Rainbo Bakeries (now Sara Lee) for 15 years, beginning as a truck loader in Modesto. He later became a Route Sales Representative and a Division Manager. Following Rainbo Bakeries, he worked with Interstate Brands for five years. In 1984, he joined Oroweat as a District Manager. Oroweat was later purchased by Bimbo Bakeries USA. He has been in his current position since 1998.

The Hall of Achievement provides the food industry with the opportunity to recognize the achievements of those individuals who, through their foresight and dedication, have enhanced California’s food distribution industry.

“They are individuals who have made a difference,” Fong added For more information on the Hall of Achievement award log-on to www.cagrocers.com or contact Brianne Korte at 916.448.3545.

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Formed in 1992 as a 501(c)3 corporation, the CGA Educational Foundation is dedicated to providing educational opportunities and research programs that benefit all segments of California’s food industry.

Previous CGA Educational Foundation
Hall of Achievement Inductees

Byron Allumbaugh, Ralphs Grocery Co.
Lou Amen, Super A Foods, Inc.
Bernard Briskin, Gelson’s Markets
Jack H. Brown, Stater Bros. Markets
Jim Brown, Western Association of Food Chains/Ralphs Grocery Co.
Steven Burd, Safeway Inc.
Charles Collings, Raley’s
Paul Gerrard, Gerrard’s Inc.
Dave Hirz, Ralphs Grocery Co.
Don Lee, Dairy Fresh
Robert Piccinini, Save Mart Supermarkets
Alfred Plamann, Unified Grocers, Inc.
Thomas Raley, Raley’s
Larree Renda, Safeway Inc.
Bill Roulette, Gelson’s Markets
Allan Scharn, Gelson’s Markets
Jerry Scolari, Scolari’s Food & Drug Co.
Joe Scolari, Scolari’s Food & Drug Co.
Joey Scolari, Scolari’s Food & Drug Co.
Bob Spengler, Save Mart Supermarkets
Roger Stangeland, The Vons Companies
Bob Stiles, Gelson’s Markets
Wilfred Von Der Ahe, The Vons Companies
Bob Wilson, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

SACRAMENTO, CA – (January 16, 2009) – The California Grocers Association (CGA) has hired Keri Bailey as Vice President, Government Relations, effective Jan. 16, 2009.

She will be responsible for managing CGA’s government relations program at both the state and local level, including CGA’s two local government representatives and Sacramento staff. She will be the Association’s chief lobbyist and direct CGA’s contract lobbyists.

Bailey comes to CGA with more than 15 years experience in the California Legislature. Most recently, she was Director of State Government Affairs for the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Staff for Assemblymember Ed Chavez; Senior Consultant/Legislative Director for Assemblymember Ellen Corbett; Senior Consultant for Assemblymember Martin Gallegos and Field Representative/Legislative Aide for Assemblymember Mike Machado.

After an extensive search which featured many qualified candidates, CGA President/CEO Ronald Fong and members of the CGA Government Relations Committee decided on Bailey. “Keri is the perfect fit for the Association,” said Fong. “Her outstanding reputation and extensive experience at the state Capitol coupled with her association experience at the CA Credit Union League will allow CGA to continue expanding its government relations program.”

Fong said CGA plans to expand its sphere of influence both at the state and local levels and believes Bailey’s legislative experience and knowledge will play a pivotal role in reaching that goal. CGA also plans to make significant progress on its grassroots programming and political action committee with Bailey helping to lead the charge. “The interview committee was impressed with Keri’s overall knowledge of political and grassroots programs. We look forward to drawing on her experience to expand our own efforts” said Fong.

The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores and mass merchandisers.