Ronald Fong assumed the reigns of the California Grocers Association (CGA) as President and Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2008.
Ron joined CGA after 12 years with the California Credit Union League (CCUL) where he was Vice President of State Government Affairs. He was responsible for the League’s 10-person Sacramento office and directed its advocacy program.
Prior to that, he was Corporate President for United Market, Inc., his family’s independent grocery company operating neighborhood stores in the Sacramento region. He grew up working in his family’s stores and understands the grocery industry from the backroom to the boardroom. His grandfather started Carmichael Supermarket in 1941, the first grocery market in his home town of Carmichael.
During his tenure at CGA, he is credited with overhauling the government relations program, including the appointment of a new veteran lobbying and political team. Ron also introduced the “Three Legged Stool” program to CGA, which emphasizes a multi-pronged and simultaneous approach to government relations.
He oversees and leads the strategy of the Association’s senior management team, which has made significant and well received changes to CGA’s government relations, member services, conferences and communication programs.
In 2015, Ron received the Donald H. MacManus Award from the Food Marketing Institute, the highest recognition for a state affairs executive.
In 2016, Ron was elected to the California State University Foundation Board of Governors. 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. Read more here.
In 2020, Ron was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the Governor’s bi-partisan Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery, which is responsible for helping plan the state’s economic recovery following the financial calamity resulting from COVID-19.
Ron also serves as President of the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation. As President, he oversees the Foundation’s expanding education, research, career development and college scholarship programs. The Foundation provides financial support for educational programs, including college scholarships and career development, and industry research projects.
Ron is a board member of the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) and a member of the Food Marketing Institute’s Government Relations Committee. In 2007, he was invited to join a California Joint Legislature Delegation to China.
Ron, his wife, Carol, and a son reside in Carmichael, CA.