California Grocers Association President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald Fong was recently elected to The California State University Foundation Board of Governors.

“We are honored to welcome Ronald Fong to our foundation team,” said CSU Board of Governors Chair Ronald Barhorst. “He has an exceptional history of leadership and will bring a valuable business perspective to the board. We look forward to his insight as we continue to grow our endowment to serve the CSU and the state of California.”

The CSU Board of Governors oversees the CSU Foundation: the university’s central foundation that aims to strengthen the financial capacity of the CSU and broaden access to a high quality education. The Board represents a cross-section of business, community, cultural and educational leaders with a shared commitment to uphold and advance the mission and goals of the university.

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Fong of his election. “I am a proud alumni of the CSU system and hold a unique perspective on understanding both the food business and the university’s mission. I look forward to contributing to the Board and helping to guide the Foundation. Because of the success of our own very successful Foundation, I can forsee symmetries and partnerships between the two organizations”.

In 2008, Fong was named President and CEO of the California Grocers Association and the CGA Educational Foundation. During his tenure, he has guided the successful merger of the California Independent Grocers Association into CGA; strengthened the Association’s government relations program; directed the purchase of a new office building in downtown Sacramento; and oversaw the development and completion of an Association reserve fund. In 2015, Fong received the Donald H. McManus Award from the Food Marketing Institute, the highest recognition for a state grocery association executive.

Brad Askeland, Vice President, Holiday Markets, has been elected Chairman of the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Board of Trustees. Askeland had previously served as Foundation Vice Chair.

Askeland succeeds former CGAEF Chair Jim Van Gorkom, NuCal Foods, who served in that position since 2011. Mark Johnson, Unified Grocers, Inc., was elected to replace Askeland as the Board’s Vice Chair. Jacquie Slobom, Gelson’s Markets and Jerry Landers, Raley’s will continue as the Foundation’s secretary and treasurer, respectively.

“We look forward to Brad building on the programs Jim was instrumental in fostering,” said CGAEF President Ron Fong. “Brad has tremendous passion for the Foundation and will serve well as chair.”

Askeland’s responsibilities will be to guide and direct the CGAEF Board of Trustees. The Foundation was created in 1992 to advance California’s grocery industry through employee education, industry research and recognition of excellence.

The Foundation will celebrate its 25th year in 2017. During the past quarter-century the Foundation has awarded more than 3,200 scholarships totaling more than $4 million to deserving grocery industry employees and their dependents. In addition, the Foundation has reimbursed more than 13,000 individual courses for more than $1.3 million.

Askeland, who has served as a Trustee since 2009, began his grocery career in 1988 as a courtesy clerk for a small independent market before joining North State Grocery, Inc. in 1995. He managed several stores before being named director of human resources in 2003. Most recently, Askeland was promoted to vice president of Holiday Markets, a division of North State Grocery.

Rob McDougall, Donna Tyndall and Bruce Wyatt Inducted Into CGA Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement

Executives recognized for lifelong commitment to industry, community

More than 650 friends, family and industry peers celebrated the induction of three grocery industry executives into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement on March 9, 2016, in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Rob McDougall and Donna Tyndall, Gelson’s Markets, and Bruce Wyatt, Flowers Baking Company, join a prestigious group of Hall of Achievement inductees who have been recognized for their many contributions to not only the grocery industry, but the communities they serve.

“This year’s inductees are true icons of our industry. It is with great pleasure that we recognize Rob, Donna, and Bruce for their lifelong commitment to the grocery industry,” said CGAEF President Ron Fong. “Each inductee has a tremendous story to tell. Each have traveled different paths to reach this point in their careers. They are all deserving of this prestigious award.”

Led by this year’s event chairs Hee-Sook Nelson, Gelson’s Markets, and Jerry Whitmore, retired, Nestle DSD, the event raised more than $500,000 – funds that support the Foundation’s college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs.

“The Foundation is extremely grateful to the many companies and individuals that have donated to this very worthy cause,” Fong said. “The funds raised from this event will help support the Foundation’s many worthwhile industry programs.”

The evening featured an inspiring speech by Abagail Gillmore, daughter of a Gelson’s Markets employee and a CGAEF scholarship recipient. Following her presentation, guests bid on live auction items and participated in a Fund-A-Need supporting CGAEF’s college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs.

The CGA Educational Foundation was created under the direction of the California Grocers Association Board of Directors in 1992. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to advance the educational goals of CGA member company employees and their dependents and offer educational programs to advance the grocery industry. For more information regarding CGAEF programs and for a complete listing of past Hall of Achievement honorees, visit www.cgaef.org.

About our honorees

Rob McDougall, President & CEO, Gelson’s Markets

Rob has been in the grocery industry for more than 40 years. In January 2012, he assumed leadership of Gelson’s Markets, a chain of 18 Southern California supermarkets founded in 1951 that prides itself on quality and unmatched customer service

A Southern California native, Rob began his grocery career at age 16 as a bagger with Vons and worked his way through various positions including Produce Manager, Store Director and Produce Supervisor. Rob later moved to Michigan to work for D&W, a small upscale chain of markets. He left D&W as its Chief Operating Officer to return to his Southern California roots

Rob joined Gelson’s Markets in 2007 and quickly leveraged his previous experience to steer Gelson’s to a greater inclusion of organic and local products. While broadening his responsibilities, Rob has overseen key initiatives such as new designs for Gelson’s produce departments, a move into enhanced gluten free itemization, increased private label products, expanded selection of organics, and an investment in healthy selections

Rob serves on both the Unified Grocers, Inc and Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Board of Directors. He is a past director of the Fresh Produce Council and actively supports the grocery industry through the Food Marketing Institute and the California Grocers Association

Rob has been married to his wife Leah for 37 years and has twin adult sons, Shaun and Robert. Rob and Leah are also the proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren ranging in ages from 12 years to three months. In his off time Rob’s passion is to spend time with his family.

Donna Tyndall, Senior Vice President of Store Operations, Gelson’s Markets

Donna began her career with Gelson’s Markets 41 years ago as a clerk’s helper at the first Gelson’s location in Burbank.  While attending UCLA, she continued to work in a variety of positions including checker, clerk, and office cashier.  After graduating from UCLA, she entered management as the company’s first female manager.  She worked her way up to Store Manager and was later promoted to Supervisor of Operations.

After three years in store supervision, Donna assumed the position of Director of Grocery Buying and Merchandising, and was promoted to Vice President in 1998.  Her responsibilities then included Grocery Buying, Merchandising, Distribution, and Marketing.  Six years later she was promoted to Senior Vice President of Store Operations, and served in that position since 2004.

Donna has a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, and in 1989, graduated from the Food Industry Management Program in the Graduate School of Business at USC where she was selected by her peers as the “Student of the Year.”  In 2007, she was recognized by Progressive Grocer as one of the “Top Women in Grocery” in the United States, and was honored by the Food Industries Sales Managers Club (FISMC) in 1998 and 2009 at its annual “Women in the Industry” luncheon.

Donna is involved in a wide variety of grocery industry causes.  She served on the CGA Board of Directors for six years from 2006 through 2012.  She supports several charitable organizations including the City of Hope Food Industries Circle, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Olive Crest, and the California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ).  In 2003 she was recognized by the MDA with the Dennis Day Memorial Award and in 2010 she received the Humanitarian Award from CCEJ.

Donna is married to Mike Ketcham.  They reside in Sherman Oaks with their two dogs, and together enjoy golfing, traveling, gardening and reading.

Bruce Wyatt, Vice President Sales, Flowers Baking Company

Bruce Wyatt is Vice President of Sales in Southern California for Flowers Baking Company, headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia.

Bruce began his retail career at a young age working in his family’s direct store delivery retail milk business in Knightstown, Ind. After moving to Apple Valley, Calif., Bruce worked as an independent distributor for Bell Brand Chips and Archway Cookies. In 1981, he went to work for Oroweat Baking Co., eventually becoming Regional Manager for Retail Sales. In 2008, he went to work for Hansen Beverage Company, Corona, Calif., as Director of Sales. Two years later, Bruce began his second career in the baking business accepting his present position with Flowers Baking Company.

That same year, Bruce was elected Headlite of The Illuminators, an organization of vendors and suppliers dedicated to developing and enhancing key relationships within the grocery industry.

Bruce is a member of the CGA Supplier Executive Council, a former board member of the Food Sales Managers Club and has been involved in numerous charitable organizations including Olive Crest, City of Hope, Boy Scouts of America, California Conference for Equality and Justice, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Soccer for Hope Foundation.

Bruce and his wife, Kelli, live in San Clememte, Calif., and have two sons, Jackson and Christopher.

Grocery Executive To Serve One-Year Term As Chair.

SACRAMENTO, CA (Dec. 4, 2015) – Kevin Konkel, Senior Vice President, Store Operations, for Raley’s Family of Fine Stores was elected the 2015-2016 California Grocers Association Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Association’s Annual Meeting on Dec. 4, 2015.

As Chair, Konkel will lead the Board’s strategy regarding CGA’s numerous legislative, educational, communications and industry-related programs. The Association is comprised of more than 300 retail companies operating more than 6,000 stores in California and Nevada. The chair serves for one year. He succeeds Immediate Past Chair Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc.

“Kevin is known in our industry not only as a stellar and experienced grocery executive, but also as a connector and facilitator,” says CGA President Ron Fong. “You are just as likely to find him meeting with a new industry start-up as you would running a strategy and marketing meeting with a roomful of industry veterans. We are fortunate to have him as our Chair this coming year.”

In addition to Konkel, the following individuals were elected to the 2015-2016 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Diana Godfrey, Smart & Final Stores; Second Vice Chair, Jim Wallace, Albertsons Companies Inc.; Treasurer, Bob Parriott, Twain Harte Market; Secretary, Kendra Doyel, Ralphs Grocery Co.; and Immediate Past Chair, Joe Falvey, Unified Grocers, Inc.

Chairman’s appointments to the Executive Committee include: Dave Jones, Kellogg Company; Phil Miller, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., and Kevin Arceneaux, Mondelez International Inc. Dennis Darling, Foods Etc., was appointed as a non-voting committee member.

Directors elected to their first full three-year term include: Denny Belcastro, Kimberly-Clark Corp.; Bob Bukovec, Tyson Foods, Inc.; Steve Dietz, Tony’s Fine Foods; Ryan Jost, Procter & Gamble; Michel LeClerc, Holiday/Sav-Mor Foods, Mark McLean, CROSSMARK; and Doug Todd, PepsiCo Inc.

Directors elected to their second three-year term include: Jon Alden, Jelly Belly Candy Co.; Renee Amen, Super A Foods, Inc.; Teresa Anaya, Northgate Gonzalez Markets; Joe Angulo, El Super (Bodega Latina Corp.); Eric Lindberg, Grocery Outlet, Inc.; David Madden, MillerCoors; Hee-Sook Nelson, Gelson’s Markets; and Bob Richardson, The Clorox Company.

Former CGA Chair Mary Kasper, Unified Grocers Inc., was elected an honorary board member.

Event Photographs Below

More than 700 friends, family and industry peers celebrated the induction of three grocery industry executives into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement on March 26, 2015 in Sacramento, CA.

Jim and Joyce Raley Teel, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, and Joseph E. Gallo, E. & J. Gallo Winery, join a prestigious group of Hall of Achievement recipients who have been recognized for their many contributions to not only the grocery industry, but the communities they serve.

“This year’s inductees are true icons of our industry. It is with great pleasure that we recognize Jim, Joyce, and Joe, for their lifelong commitment to the grocery industry,” said CGAEF President Ron Fong. “Their stories personify hundreds of similar families, including my own, who experienced the American dream of creating successful businesses through hard work, dedicated service and reliance on the strength of family.”

Led by this year’s event chairs Mike Teel, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, and Gary Ippolito, E. & J. Gallo Winery, the event raised more than $500,000 – funds that support the Foundation’s college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs.

“It is very gratifying to celebrate the spirit of family business by honoring two California families with deep roots in the Golden State’s grocery industry,” Fong said.

The evening featured an inspiring speech by Raley’s employee Albert Enemuoh, a CGAEF scholarship recipient. After his presentation, guests bid on live auction items and participated in a Fund-A-Need supporting CGAEF’s college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs.

The CGA Educational Foundation was created under the direction of the California Grocers Association Board of Directors in 1992. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to advance the educational goals of CGA member company employees and their dependents and offer educational programs to advance the grocery industry. For more information regarding CGAEF programs and for a complete listing of past Hall of Achievement honorees, visit www.cgaef.org.

 

 

About our honorees:

James E. Teel, Co-chair Emeritus, Board of Directors
Joyce Raley Teel, Owner and Co-chair Emeritus, Board of Directors

James E. Teel celebrates 65 years of service with Raley’s in 2014. Jim began working for Thomas P. Raley as a bottle sorter while attending McClatchy High School in Sacramento. He continued to work for Raley’s while he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Sacramento State College in 1952.

Jim learned the grocery business from the ground up – loading, unloading and driving delivery trucks, as well as working as a Grocery Clerk and Produce Clerk. After college graduation, he worked as an Apprentice Butcher at store level for two years. He was then promoted to Meat Buyer and began working at Raley’s corporate office.  While there, he helped set up the company’s central control operation for merchandising and buying, and became the company’s first Personnel Director in 1958. Over the years, Jim became a trusted adviser to owner, Tom Raley, serving as Vice President of Operations and later Chairman of the Board.  He now serves as Co-chair Emeritus with his wife, Joyce, whom he married in 1950. He served on the board of the Northern California Grocers Association for 15 years and is a former president of that organization.

Joyce Raley Teel, daughter of Raley’s founder Thomas P. Raley, is the owner of the company and serves as Co-chair Emeritus with her husband. Joyce grew up working in her father’s stores and officially joined the company in 1985. A strong believer in supporting her community, Joyce co-founded Raley’s Food For Families program, providing food assistance in partnership with food banks. This effort has since raised $31 million and 21 million pounds of food in the communities served by Raley’s stores.

Joyce started the Thomas P. Raley Foundation for family philanthropic endeavors in 1995. In 1998, she established the Joyce Raley Teel Scholarship to assist employees and their family members in their educational pursuits. Joyce also strongly supports the local arts community.

Jim and Joyce have five children. Their son, Mike Teel, serves as President and CEO of Raley’s. Two of their daughters (Laurie Struck and Lisa Davidson) and two sons-in-law sit on Raley’s Board of Directors.

Raley’s Family of Fine Stores operates 128 stores in California and Nevada. The company includes Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods and Food Source stores.

 

Joseph Gallo, E. & J. Gallo Winery

Joseph E. Gallo, is President and Chief Executive Officer of the E. & J. Gallo Winery, the world’s largest family-owned winery. The company has a significant presence in the California wine, brandy and distilled spirits industries with eight wineries and more than 60 brands including table and sparkling wines, dessert wines and distilled spirits.

As President and CEO, Mr. Gallo has focused much of his energy on growing the company and has overseen a number of acquisitions including Barefoot, Louis M. Martini, Mirassou Vineyards, William Hill Estate, Columbia Winery and, most recently, Edna Valley Vineyards. He has also directed the expansion of the company’s import portfolio with entries from nine different countries as well as the introduction of New Amsterdam Gin, New Amsterdam Vodka and Familia Camarena Tequila.

Mr. Gallo joined the winery’s sales department in 1965, and was instrumental in the company gaining national distribution by 1970, applying lessons learned from working alongside his father, Ernest Gallo, and his uncle, Julio Gallo. Prior to becoming CEO in 2001, he focused most of his efforts on the company’s expansion into international markets, overseeing sales, distribution, marketing and operations. Today, Gallo International has various regional headquarters around the world. In the United States, Mr. Gallo has served on the Board of Directors for the Wine Institute of California since 1972, and the Grocery Manufacturers Association since 2001. Mr. Gallo has served on the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Advisory Council. Stanford University recognized Mr. Gallo with the Stanford Associates Achievement Award.

Born in Modesto, California, March 12, 1941, to Ernest and Amelia Gallo, Mr. Gallo spent his youth working in the family business. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1962, and earned his M.B.A. from the Stanford Business School in 1964. He and his wife, Ofelia, are the parents of three children, Stephanie, Ernest and Joseph and have six grandchildren.

Mr. Gallo and the Gallo family are committed to helping grow wine consumption throughout the world and contributing to the long-term success of the global wine industry. The Gallo family considers family ownership its greatest asset and believes that the benefits of private ownership enable long-term business sustainability through investment back into physical assets, brand building, vineyard research and continued long-term relationships with winery employees, growers, distributors, retailers and customers.

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