FMI honors retailers with leadership awards

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has recognized various retailers for their leadership at the group’s Midwinter Executive Conference.

“These humble heroes live and exemplify integrity in our industry,” said FMI president and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin. “The noble efforts of the entire food industry are embodied by the great leaders we celebrate through our executive leadership awards program.”

Randy Edeker, chairman of the coard, CEO and president, of Hy-Vee, Inc. received the Sidney R. Rabb Award. According to FMI, Edeker received this award based on his innovative investments that have become unique to the Hy-Vee experience, as evidenced by its foodservice operations and the company’s commitment to sustainable initiatives.

Tom Heinen, co-president of Heinen’s Grocery Stores received the Robert B. Wegman Award. According to FMI, Heinen received this award for his innovation and imaginative strategies. Under Heinen’s leadership with his brother, the two were some of the first grocers to explore leveraging customer and business data in new ways to retool the way their 90-year-old company did business, all while respecting Heinen’s tradition of catering to a unique customer experience. “The grocery business is a very humbling business,” Heinen said. “Success can only come through dedicated efforts every day.”

Mark Batenic, chairman of IGA, Inc. received the Herbert Hoover Award. According to FMI, Batenic received this award for his distinction between contributing and participating, as evidenced by his work with store owners. In the recent past, IGA supported the Wounded Warriors through sales of private brand goods, and most recently, IGA forged a relationship with Partnership for Drug Free Kids, the first IGA Cares initiative. According to FMI, under Batenic’s leadership, IGA committed to raising both critical funds and awareness to help parents and families and help end the nation’s opioid epidemic.