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 — (May 27, 2010) – Miguel Gonzalez, President, Northgate Gonzalez Markets, and Jerry Whitmore, Sales Manager for Southern California, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, were inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, CA.
The Foundation’s Hall of Achievement was created in 1992, and recognizes California grocery retailers and suppliers who have contributed substantially to the advancement of the grocery industry. (Previous inductees are included.)
“This year’s inductees have very unique stories to tell,” said CGAEF President Ronald Fong. “Miguel Gonzalez’s story is one of an immigrant family fulfilling the American dream through vision, hard work and faith. Jerry Whitmore is a Southern California industry icon, very well known for his lifetime of service to the industry. The Foundation is proud to add these worthy individuals to its prestigious Hall of Achievement.”
A native of Mexico, Miguel Gonzalez immigrated to the United States in 1968. He first worked in manufacturing and retail enterprises. In 1980, his family purchased a small grocery store in Anaheim, CA. He assumed the position of company president following the death of his father, Miguel Sr. in 1999. Northgate Gonzalez Markets now operates 30 stores throughout the Los Angeles area.
Jerry Whitmore is a 43-year veteran of the grocery business. For more than 20 years, Whitmore has worked for Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream. Prior to that he was employed by Laura Scudder’s Co. He has received numerous industry awards including the Presidential Award of Distinction from the Food Industries Sales Managers’ Club of Los Angeles, and the Food & Beverage Industries Humanitarian Award form the National Conference for Equality & Justice.
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.
Proceeds from the event fund the Foundation’s College Scholarship and Career Development programs. This year, the Foundation will be awarding 292 college scholarships totaling $299,000 to deserving employees, or their families, of CGA member companies.
For more information on the Hall of Achievement award log-on to www.cagrocers.com or contact Brianne Korte at 916.448.3545.
Editor’s Note: A feature story highlighting Miguel Gonzalez’s and Jerry Whitmore’s remarkable careers, can be downloaded at www.cagrocers.com.
Formed in 1992 as a 501(c)3 corporation, the CALIFORNIA GROCERS ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION is dedicated to providing educational opportunities and research programs that will benefit all segments of California’s food industry. The Foundation serves CGAmember companies by providing financial support for educational programs and research projects that provide measurable benefits to the grocery industry, its employees, their families and consumers.
CGAEF 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
Steven Burd, Safeway Inc.
Charles Collings, Raley’s
Doug Detherage, Bimbo Bakeries U.S.A.
Paul Gerrard, Gerrard’s Inc.
Dave Hirz, Ralphs Grocery Co.
Darioush Khaledi, K.V. Mart 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