Sacramento, CA (Dec. 4, 2023) – Lynn Melillo, Vice President of Asset Management, Bristol Farms, was elected the 2023-2024 California Grocers Association (CGA) Chair of the Board of Directors at the Association’s Annual Meeting on Dec. 1, 2023. 

As Chair, Melillo will take on a strategic role in overseeing CGA’s many legislative, educational, and industry-related programs. CGA is comprised of more than 350 retail companies, operating more than 6,000 stores in the west. The chair serves for one year. Melillo succeeds Dennis Darling, Owner, Foods, Etc. 

“Lynn’s robust career in grocery has equipped her with intimate knowledge of the industry and CGA’s legislative priorities,” said CGA President and CEO Ron Fong. “Her passion and dedication will serve our members and industry well over the next year.”

Melillo has more than 40 years of experience in the grocery industry, having spent the last 28 years at Bristol Farms. In her current role, Melillo oversees compliance, employee safety, customer safety, loss prevention, and insurance and risk for Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres, and New Leaf Community Markets. She holds a certificate in Human Resources Management, Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles. Melillo also participates on CGA’s Enterprise Risk Protection and Government Relations committees. 

In addition to Melillo, the following individuals were elected to the 2023-2024 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Steve Dietz, UNFI; Second Vice Chair, Michel LeClerc, North State Grocery; Treasurer, Richard Wardwell, Superior Grocers; Secretary, Jonson Chen, Tawa Supermarket, Inc.; Immediate Past Chair, Dennis Darling, Foods Etc. 

Directors elected to their first full three-year team include: Gary Bickmore, FMS Solutions; Kevin Young, Young’s Payless IGA; JR Medina, Super A Foods; Rocky Campbell, C&K Markets; Joe Toscano, Nestle Purina PetCare; Jeremy Runge, Gopuff; Brad Thomas, Kimberly-Clark Corp.; Casey Scharetg E. & J. Gallo Winery; Nick Sass, The Hershey Company. 

Directors elected to their second full three-year term include: Elaina Budge, Costco Wholesale; Tyler Kidd, Mar-Val Food Stores, Inc.; Diane Snyder, Whole Foods Market; Kelli McGannon, The Kroger Company; Mary Kasper, 99 Cents Only Stores; Josh Southerland, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling. 

Elliott Stone, Mollie Stone’s Markets was appointed Executive Committee-IOC Chair. Other Chair Appointments include: Joe Mueller, Kellanova; Subriana Pierce, Navigator Sales, a C.A. Fortune company; Karl Schroeder, Albertsons Companies. Former CGA Chair Renee Amen, Super A Foods was elected an honorary board member.

Daniel Conway Will Lead CGA’s Government Relations Program

Sacramento, California (Nov. 6, 2023) – The California Grocers Association (CGA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Daniel Conway as Vice President, Government Relations, effective Nov. 6, 2023.

In this position, Conway will serve as the Association’s chief lobbyist and be responsible for managing all aspects of CGA’s advocacy efforts. He will represent CGA member companies on strategic advocacy efforts before the State Legislature, regulatory agencies and local municipalities, as well as manage CGA’s government relations staff, contract lobbyists, and political action committee (PAC). Conway will participate on CGA’s management team.

“We are thrilled to add Daniel to our government relations team,” said Ron Fong, CGA President and CEO. “His breadth of experience in California policy and advocacy combined with his knowledge of local government make him a valuable asset to spearhead and strengthen the Association’s legislative program.”

Prior to joining CGA, Conway led his own strategic political communications firm, Conway Strategies, where he worked on a variety of campaigns and issue areas. His recent work has focused on the state’s homelessness crisis, where he advised the LA Alliance for Human Rights on its groundbreaking federal lawsuit and lead the Yes on Measure O campaign in the City of Sacramento. Conway previously served as Chief of Staff to former Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and as Legislative and Public Affairs Director for the California Restaurant Association.

Conway holds a Juris Doctor with a concentration in business law from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and a Bachelors of Arts degrees in history and political science from University of California, Santa Barbara.

“Daniel’s impressive background set him apart from a group of well-qualified candidates,” said Michel LeClerc, Chief Financial Officer, North State Grocery, Inc., and chair of the CGA Government Relations Committee. “His political expertise and strategic know-how make him well equipped to represent the industry before the Legislature and navigate legislative and regulatory hurdles facing California’s grocery industry.”

About CGA

For more than 125 years, the California Grocers Association has served as the voice of the state’s grocery community. A nonprofit, statewide trade association, CGA’s membership is comprised of over 300 retailers operating more than 6,000 brick-and-mortar stores, and approximately 150 grocery supply companies. 

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