Ron Fong Named a Most Admired CEO by Sacramento Business Journal

Posted on January 30, 2024March 27, 2024 by Grace Becker

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President and CEO of California Grocers Association Ron Fong was named a Most Admired CEO for 2024 by Sacramento Business Journal. The award celebrates and recognizes local CEOs who have positively impacted their respective industries and contributed to the growth and success of Sacramento’s greater business community.

Honorees are selected by a peer group of CEOs, comprised of last year’s honorees, external nominations, and nominations by Sacramento Business Journal staff, that identifies influential local CEOs.

“Ron is a champion of the grocery industry in California and respected voice in the capitol community,” said CGA COO and Senior Vice President Doug Scholz. “This recognition from the Sacramento Business Journal is well deserved.”

The award comes as Ron begins his 16th year at the helm of CGA. During his tenure at CGA, Ron is credited with overhauling the government relations program, including the appointment of a new veteran lobbying and political team. In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Ron to serve on his bi-partisan Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery to help plan the state’s economic recovery following the financial calamity resulting from COVID-19. Ron also serves as President to the CGA Educational Foundation, which supports education opportunities for grocery industry workers, and oversees the Foundation’s expanding education, research, career development, and college scholarship programs.

Ron was honored alongside 20 other honorees at the Most Admired CEOs awards ceremony on March 7, 2024 in Sacramento. Honorees include: Kenn Altine, Sacramento SPCA; Derek Chase, OnSight Technology Inc.; Ethan Conrad, Ethan Conrad Properties; Brad DesJardin, DesCor Builders; Dawnté Early, United Way California Capital Region; Linda Farley, Girl Scouts Heart of Central California; Ronald Fong, California Grocers Association; Ginger Elizabeth Hahn, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates; Lisa Hausmann, Mercy Hospital Folsom, Dignity Health; Preet Kuar, Pacific Staffing; Shobha Mallarapu, Anvaya Solutions Inc.; Heather Mauel, Dutch Bros Coffee Gold Country; Tony Moayed, Tricorp Group; Mymy Nguyen, Saigon Alley Kitchen & Bar; Michael Strech, North State Building Industry Association; Darrell Teat Jr., The Safety Center; Kim Tucker, Impact Foundry; Ali Wing, Oobli Inc.; and Rachel Zillner, Clutch.

View the Sacramento Business Journal press release here.

Independent Operators Symposium Photos 2024

Posted on January 19, 2024January 19, 2024 by Grace Becker

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California’s independent grocery community kicked off 2024 on the Big Island of Hawaii for CGA’s annual Independent Operators Symposium. This immersive retreat allowed independent operators to step away from their family businesses to refocus and explore new opportunities for success.

In addition to relationship-building and taking time to recharge, our independent operators participated in inspiring educational sessions. President and CEO Ron Fong led attendees in the collaborative “Independent Exchange” share group discussion to tackle essential topics and challenges for family businesses; FMI President & CEO Leslie Sarasin walked attendees through FMI’s consumer trends report and sat down with Ron to discuss relevant developments in federal and state politics; Grocery veteran Steve Black revealed “The 5 Rules” for team transformation; and entertainer Sean Bott zeroed in on connection with top tips for attracting and retaining thriving talent.

Thank you to our independent operators for an energizing start to 2024! Check out event photos below.

Empowerment

Posted on January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 by Nate Rose

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Tips for Store Leaders by Stan Phelps

Empower your team by granting them decision-making authority. When employees have ownership, they contribute innovative ideas and take pride in their work.

Command and Control or Carrot and Stick thinking is outdated. Employees do not enjoy or appreciate being controlled or coerced.

The best managers figure out how to get great outcomes by setting the appropriate context rather than by trying to control their people.

According to Ken and Scott Blanchard, “We are finding that giving people a chance to succeed in their job and setting them free to a certain degree is the key to motivation, as opposed to trying to direct and control people’s energy. It’s really about letting go and connecting people to their work—and each other—rather than channeling, organizing, orchestrating, and focusing behavior.”

Tip: Encourage employees to take initiative and trust their judgment.