The California Grocers Association has named Keri Askew Bailey as Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Policy, effective immediately.

In this newly created position, Bailey will assume responsibility for creating and managing an aggressive public policy program through the development and facilitation of coalitions with CGA membership, ally associations, chambers of commerce, and other interested parties.

She will be responsible for industry issues management, aggressive grass-roots member outreach and a strong political program including fund raising, and will direct research to render “white paper” position statements, seminal industry articles, political initiative campaigns and effectively communicate complicated issues to disparate audiences and constituencies.

“In the four years Keri has been with CGA, she has proven to be a tremendous asset in growing our advocacy program,” said Ron Fong, CGA President and CEO. “As a veteran lobbyist with extensive experience in the State Capitol, Keri’s expertise has allowed CGA to strengthen relationships, as well as create new alliances, in a very business-challenged environment.”

Along with expanding CGA’s public policy program, Bailey will assist in implementing and administrating the Association’s biennial strategic plan.

“This new position reflects the Association’s ongoing commitment to expanding its membership offerings such as creating an effective public policy program and bringing greater value to our members,” Fong said.

In addition to her new responsibilities, Bailey will continue to administer the overall government relations program, manage the government relations staff and outside public policy firms, and consultants, oversee the dissemination of key legislative and regulatory issues to CGA members, and develop advocacy articles for publication. She will continue to report to the President/CEO.

Bailey joined CGA in 2009 as Vice President, Government Relations. Prior to CGA, she worked for the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. She also worked in the California Legislature for more than a decade.

On April 2, the CGA Supplier Executive Council (SEC) kicked off its first exclusive store for the 2013 season with an in-depth look at Costco Wholesale. The SEC store tour was led by John Eagan, Vice President and Senior General Merchandise Manager, at the Costco Culver City location.

These exclusive store tours prove SEC members with an opportunity to learn about how retailers approach operational strategies and obtain insights on customers directly from executives of some of the top California grocery retailers. Future SEC store tours will include Nugget Market, Super King Market and Northgate Gonzalez Markets.

To learn more about becoming a CGA Supplier Executive Council member, please contact Sunny Chang at (916) 448-3545.

The California Grocers Association has announced the hiring of Dane Hutchings as Government Relations Manager, effective immediately.

In this position, Hutchings will be responsible for bill tracking and analysis, regulatory analysis, member relations, and grassroots development. In addition, he will work with CGA members to develop positions and draft advocacy messages and represent the organization before the Legislature.

Hutchings began working with Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide in 2010, serving as the interface between the government affairs and public affairs practice areas. He was responsible for advocacy and support for multiple California legislative and regulatory issue areas including: renewable energy, transportation, toxic substances, small business, revenue & tax and labor while cultivating and maintaining relationships with legislative members, key policy staff, as well as numerous trade associations and contract lobbyists.

Most notably, Hutchings was part of the communications and outreach team for the California high-speed rail statewide infrastructure project, as well as overseeing the execution of a high-school awareness campaign for the California Office of Traffic Safety – highlighting the dangers of texting and driving. Prior to that, Hutchings worked as a legislative aide for Mattos & Associates, a government relations firm specializing in association management.

“Dane’s government and public affairs knowledge will be of considerable value to CGA as the Association continues to raise the bar in its advocacy efforts,” said CGA Vice President, Government Relations, Keri Askew Bailey. “

Hutchings attended Sacramento State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, with a Public Relations emphasis.

More than 25 CGA retail and supplier members gathered in Sacramento on Wednesday (2/20) to meet with California’s recently elected legislators and establish working relationships with the largest “Freshman Class” of lawmakers in recent history.

The one-day event, dubbed “Hike the Hill,” allowed industry executives to meet with newly elected legislators and their staff and educate them on key grocery related issues prior to bill packages being set.

“Nearly one-third of the Legislature is brand new,” said CGA President Ron Fong. “CGA believed it was critical these ‘Freshmen’ legislators heard directly from our industry as to the impact our industry has in their districts.”

CGA members first met with CGA’s government relations staff and were briefed on key legislation related to the grocery industry and protocol when meeting with legislators. Attendees spent the bulk of the day in the State Capitol meeting either directly with legislators or their staff.

USDA Undersecretary Addresses Attendees

In addition to their visits, attendees heard from U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon who provided an update on the current moratorium on the issuance of new Women, Infants and Children (WIC) licenses. The Undersecretary said that while the state does a good job on the clinical side of WIC, “they have failed on the administrative side.”

Nearly one-sixth of WIC households in the United States reside in California.

“The state hasn’t paid close attention and some small stores, just one very small slice of the whole range of vendors, have been grossly overcharging and using all types of gimmicks,” he said. “Unfortunately to deal with this problem a moratorium was placed on any new store coming in.”

The Undersecretary is in California meeting with state officials to work on resolving this issue. Other concerns include the state not hiring a WIC director and not hiring additional personnel, despite the funding coming from the federal level.

To see the event in photographs, click here.

CGA Board Member Dan Meyer has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President Retail Operations for Stater Bros. Markets.

In this position, Meyer will be responsible for the retail operations of all 167 Stater Bros. supermarkets, as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Corporate Training Center.

Meyer is a 42-year member of the Stater Bros. He the company in 1971 as a courtesy clerk at Stater’s La Sierra Supermarket in Riverside and progressed through a range of retail store and district supervision positions.

In 2009, he was promoted to Senior Regional Vice President, and in 2011, was promoted to his most recent position of Senior Vice President Retail Operations.

He serves on the Boards of Directors for Stater Bros. Charities and the California Grocers Association.

In his new position, Meyer will report to Jim Lee, President and Chief Operating Officer.

“Dan is a well-respected and valuable member of our senior management team,” stated Chairman of the Board and CEO Jack Brown. “This promotion is a result of his leadership skills and the contributions that he has made towards the success of the company’s Retail Operations Department.”
Stater Bros. is the largest privately owned Supermarket Chain in Southern California and the largest private employer in both San BernardinoCounty and Riverside County, with annual sales in 2012 of $3.9 billion. The Company operates 167 supermarkets.

A delegation of California Grocers Association retail grocer members, along with CGA staff, traveled to the nation’s capital in late January hoping to resolve a moratorium on applying for new WIC licenses.

The group met with U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon, policy aides to First Lady Michelle Obama and several members of Congress.

California grocers have faced the indefinite moratorium for just under two years. The purpose of the Washington D.C. visit was twofold: to achieve short term interim measures that will allow responsible vendors to apply for waivers and obtain WIC licenses; and to help regulators identify long-term solutions that will allow the moratorium to be lifted.

While CGA has worked closely to assist the California Department of Public Health – WIC Program in its efforts to address serious oversight challenges that led to the moratorium, the USDA is the only one at this point that has the authority authorize individual vendor applications or approve California’s action plan and lift the indefinite moratorium.

CGA made headway with the USDA in terms of outlining the need for individual store location exemptions that take into account not merely “access” for WIC participants but also the quality and cost of that access.

In addition, companies were able to discuss the community impacts of store closings when new owners are unable to obtain a WIC license. The group also received a better outline of what the USDA is looking for from California in terms of affirmative actions that will ultimately help bring an end to the ongoing moratorium.

CGA will continue to prioritize California’s WIC challenges and redouble efforts to help the State and Federal governments address the significant issues identified in California.

The California Grocers Association is pleased to announce the hiring of Sunny Chang as Membership Marketing Manager, effective immediately.

In this position, Chang is responsible for expanding the Association’s member initiatives and promoting the benefits of Association involvement among existing and prospective companies in the retail grocery industry.

In addition, she will oversee the creation, promotion and delivery of various member programs, membership communications and initiating member outreach. She will also be responsible for integrating communication activities across various organization departments to assure continuous, comprehensive and brand-supportive messaging.

Chang brings to CGA nearly a decade of marketing and brand management experience in multiple industries. Prior to CGA, she was Digital Media Manager for Ericsson, a telecommunications equipment and services provider. She has also worked as a graphic designer at several Sacramento-based graphic design studios including Pat Davis Design Group, Marketing By Design and United Parenting Publications.

“Sunny’s extensive professional experience, enthusiastic attitude and demonstrated ability to coordinate and direct projects will allow the Association to better service our membership and effectively promote the Association’s numerous benefits to potential members,” said CGA President and CEO Ronald K. Fong.

Chang graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a BS in Visual Communications and a Master of Business Administration focusing on Marketing and General Management.

Jim Lee, President and Chief Operating Officer, Stater Bros. Markets and Vic Chiono, Vice President Sales, West U.S., Coca-Cola Refreshments, will be inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, CA.

Plan To Attend!

Plan now to attend this annual gala industry event. Join your industry peers in recognizing these two worthy inductees for their years of service to the grocery industry and the communities they serve.

To register, and to learn about numerous sponsorship opportunities, click here, or contact Shiloh London, CGA Educational Foundation at (916) 448-3545.

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.

“This year’s inductees are true icons of our industry,” said CGAEF President Ronald Fong. “Their unwavering dedication to the success of our industry, and their unselfish and devoted commitment to the communities they serve make both individuals worthy recipients of this year’s award.”

Jim Lee – Stater Bros. Markets

Jim joined Stater Bros. Markets as Group Senior Vice President of Retail Operations in 2002, bringing to the Company over 30 years of supermarket experience. Headquartered in San Bernardino, Calif., Stater Bros. is a Fortune 500 company, and the largest privately owned supermarket chain based in Southern California with 167 stores, nearly $3.8 billion in annual sales, and over 18,000 employees.

Jim began his grocery career with Ralphs Grocery Company in 1972 as a clerk’s helper. He was promoted to various positions during his 25 years at the Company including: Store Manager, District Manager, Vice President of Store Operations Administration and Vice President Store Operations, Northern Division and Southern Divisions. His last position with Ralphs was Group Vice President of the Central Division.

Prior to joining Stater Bros., Jim was President and Chief Operating Officer, from 1996 to 2001, of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. based in Boulder, Colorado; which at the time, was the second largest chain of natural foods supermarkets in North America, with annual sales of over $1 billion. During his time with Wild Oats, he helped the company “go public” and oversaw a 600 percent increase in sales.

Vic Chiono, Coca-Cola Refreshments

Vic Chiono is Area Vice President of Sales for Coca-Cola Refreshments, with responsibilities for the Central and West United States. Vic has been in sales and sales marketing for over 36 years, just completing over 26 years within Coca-Cola, holding numerous sales and management positions.

Vic got started in the grocery industry at age 10 sorting bottles and sweeping the parking lots of his father’s Safeway store. He worked through high school and college as a checker and shelf stocker. After graduating from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Vic started his career by joining Unilever as a sales representative selling food, health, and beauty products to 135 retail stores.

In 1987, after obtaining several management positions within Unilever, Vic joined Coca-Cola where he has enjoyed a successful career selling all Minute Maid, Gold Peak, Simply Beverages, and juice drink products. Most of his sales background has been working with retailers throughout the United States. From 1996 to 1999, he shifted his focus to the Food Service division establishing Minute Maid products as a staple in restaurants, theme parks, and hotel chains.

A group of 12 enthusiastic volunteers from California Grocers Association recently put their time and muscles on loan to United Way certified partner Sacramento Habitat for Humanity.

The organization builds affordable housing for qualified Sacramento low income families, sells these homes at cost and provides no down payment/zero interest mortgages. In addition to the construction process, the organization manages the ReStore which recycles donated items such as gently used appliances, furniture and construction supplies back into the community to help support the organization.The store is open to the public and has treasures for everyone.

Volunteers heard from the staff of both United Way and Habitat for Humanity before working in the ReStore warehouse, keeping busy sorting, organizing, stocking and pricing donations from a recent donation drive.

Volunteers all worked really hard, but ReStore manager Byron kept the troops motivated and having a fun time, making the experience beyond enjoyable for all and allowing for team building to take place.

Thank you to California Grocers Association for stepping up to volunteer in partnership with United Way as well as the individual volunteers who made a huge difference in just one day of hard work. Finally, thank you to Sacramento Habitat for Humanity for hosting the volunteers and providing this opportunity.

(Reprinted from United Way website)

The day in pictures, click here.

San Luis Obispo County Gains New Grocer And More Jobs

50,052 residents of a California community have increased access to healthy foods and 140 jobs closer to home, as $1.7 million in unique financing allows a new business to invest in San Luis Obispo County. One of the first loans disbursed by California FreshWorks Fund, LLC provides El Rancho Marketplace the means to open a new grocery store serving Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Oceano, and Shell Beach.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121212/DC28559 )

“Not only is El Rancho Marketplace a family owned business buying fresh, local produce,” commented Scott Sporte, Chief Lending Officer at NCB Capital Impact that manages the California FreshWorks Fund. “It is also stabilizing a local shopping area by replacing a grocery store that closed earlier in the year—displacing workers and forcing residents to travel farther to buy fresh food.”

The FreshWorks Fund provided El Rancho the flexible financing it needed to purchase equipment and inventory for its new $3.6 million store. The result is a 39,000-plus square-foot market featuring well-priced staple foods, natural goods and an in-house deli that makes many items from scratch. Local growers and food producers, with whom El Rancho Marketplace has fostered strong relationships, will also benefit from the new store with El Rancho’s strong commitment to local suppliers.

“While the steadfast commitment of numerous organizations in the California FreshWorks partnership make success stories like this possible, we know it’s the passion and hard work of local grocers that is critical to making health happen in communities across California,” said Robert K. Ross, M.D., President and CEO of The California Endowment, a lead partner in the California FreshWorks Fund. “The funding of El Rancho Marketplace will provide the local community with access to fresh produce and nutritious food options, which in turn promotes healthy eating, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.”

California FreshWorks Fund, LLC is a loan pool that combines commercial and philanthropic capital to provide flexible financing for new and expanding grocery stores. The loan pool is just one of the many financing tools of the California FreshWorks Fund, a grant and loan fund that has invested more than $18 million in California healthy food projects in the last 12 months, with more than $200 million in lending and grants to follow in the next few years. Last year, Chase committed $32.5 million to help create the fund and is the FreshWorks Fund LLC’s lead bank.

“Chase is proud to be part of the growing movement to bring a greater variety of healthy food choices into underserved communities,” said Matthew Reilein, senior vice president of Chase Community Development Banking. “It is exciting to see the tangible result of this innovative fund, which is giving residents access to fresh good and creating more local jobs for the five-city community.”

El Rancho is a family-owned, independent grocer that has operated a store in Solvang for over 40 years. Founded by a German immigrant butcher, El Rancho Marketplace has developed a strong reputation for quality fresh meats and local produce. This new Pismo Beach store is El Rancho’s second supermarket serving California’s central coast, and is made possible with financing from the California FreshWorks Fund.

“FreshWorks has been instrumental in making this dream possible, and we are thrilled with opportunity that they have given us,” said Alfred Holzheu, an owner of El Rancho Marketplace. “Already, between full and part time employees, we have hired almost 140 employees. Plus, we are establishing relationships with local farmers and ranchers, including the students at Cal Poly,” he added.

California FreshWorks Fund partners include: The California Endowment, NCB Capital Impact, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Met Life, Citibank, Opportunity Finance Network, Charles Schwab Bank, W.K. Kellogg Foundation Dignity Health (formerly Catholic Healthcare West), Calvert Foundation, Kaiser Permanente Unified Grocers, California Grocers Association, Emerging Markets Inc., PolicyLink, U.S. Bank, and Community Health Councils.

About NCB Capital Impact
NCB Capital Impact helps people and communities reach their highest potential at every stage of life. As a national, non-profit community development financial institution, Capital Impact provides financial services and technical assistance to help make high-quality housing, health care, healthy foods, and education more accessible and attainable, and eldercare more dignified and respectful. Capital Impact has used its depth of experience, cooperative approach, and diverse network of alliances to generate over $1.7 billion in critical investments that create a high quality of life for low income people and communities. www.ncbcapitalimpact.org.

About The California Endowment
The California Endowment is a private, statewide health foundation, which was established in 1996 to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles. The Endowment has regional offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno and San Diego, with program staff working throughout the state. The Endowment challenges the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people’s health. The Endowment believes that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention. For more information, visit The Endowment’s homepage at www.calendow.org
Reprinted from PR Newswire (Dec. 12, 2012)