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 – (March 3, 2011) – Jim Van Gorkom, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, NuCal Foods, Ripon, CA, has been named Chairman of the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Board of Trustees.
In addition to Van Gorkom, Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc. has been namd Vice Chair; John J. Nieman III, SUPERVALU, Inc., Treasurer; and Brad Askeland, North State Grocery, Secretary. The biographies of all four trustees are attached.
“We look forward to working closely with our new leadership as we strive to advance the goals of the Foundation,” said CGA Educational Foundation President Ronald Fong, who also serves as President/CEO of the California Grocers Association. “Jim’s extensive experience in the grocery industry makes him the perfect individual to serve as chair. He has a great love for the grocery industry and I’m confident will do an excellent job directing our Foundation.”
The CGAEF was created in the early 1990s to provide measurable benefits to employees, potential employees, customers and businesses in the retail food industry. Its key areas of emphasis include providing college scholarships, tuition reimbursement and educational programming for Association members.
In 2010, the Foundation awarded 246 college scholarships totaling $296,500 to deserving CGA member employees or their dependents.
In addition, the Foundation paid more than $90,000 in tuition reimbursement to member company employees wanting to improve their job-related skills.
For more information, contact Brianne Korte, CGAEF, at (916) 448-3545.
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.
Newly Appointed CGA Educational Foundation Board of Trustees
Jim Van Gorkom
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
NuCal Foods
Jim Van Gorkom began his career in the grocery industry 30 years ago while in college. His background includes sales positions with several national organizations, including Nestle Foods. Jim joined NuCal Foods in 2006, after 16 years with Sun-Maid Growers, where he was Vice-President of Retail Sales. As part of the senior management team, Jim directs all sales and marketing functions for NuCal Foods, Rocky Mountain Eggs and Nulaid Foods.
Jim is a graduate of the USC Food Industry Executive Program and is very involved in the grocery industry, currently serving as Spotlite (Treasurer) of the Illuminators. He also serves on the boards of the City of Hope Northern California Food Industry Circle, the Food and Drug Industry Alliance for Easter Seals Bay Area, and the Frozen & Refrigerated Food Council of Northern California. Jim, and Judy, his wife of more than 30 years, live in Ripon, CA.
Joe Falvey
Senior Vice President Sales
Unified Grocers, Inc.
Joe Falvey graduated from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982.
His career in the consumer products industry started with the E&J Gallo Winery as a Sales Representative in the Los Angeles market. Joe was transferred to the San Francisco area in 1984 to assist in the start-up of a newly formed Gallo distributor where he was promoted to District Manager.
In 1986, he joined Nalley’s Fine Foods, a Division of Agrilink as a Regional Sales Manager where he was later promoted to Director.
In December 1999, upon the completion of the merger of United Grocers of Oregon and Certified Grocers of California, Joe joined the new company, Unified Western Grocers, as Vice President and Northern California Division President. In 2007, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales for Unified Grocers, Inc.
Joe serves on the Board of Directors for City of Hope, Easter Seals Foundation in Northern California and the California Grocers Association.
Joe and his wife Dolly have been married for 24 years and have two daughters.
Brad Askeland
Director, Human Resources
North State Grocery, Inc.
Brad began his grocery career in 1988 as a courtesy clerk for a small independent before joining North State Grocery, Inc. in 1995. He managed several stores for the company before assuming his current position as the Director of Human Resources in 2003. Brad earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Chico in 1995. Brad resides in Redding, Ca. with his wife Jeny and their two children.
John J Nieman III
Vice President, Human Resources
SUPERVALU, Inc.
John is the vice president of human resources for the Southern California Albertsons Division. John’s SUPERVALU career started 28 years ago as a bagger at Osco Drug in Indiana. Since that time, he has held various positions in store operations, banner leadership roles, training roles and human resources. John earned a degree in Marketing from Ball State University in 1986. He resides in Huntington Beach, CA.