On Monday, November 24, at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, the industry’s who’s who gathered to celebrate the “Oscars” of the grocery industry at the annual Golden Pencil Awards.
This year’s recipients were: Louise Wendling, Country Manager, Costco; and Marc Guay, President, Pepsico Foods Canada.
Before the grocery industry saluted Wendling and Guay, Canadian Grocer presented its Generation Next Awards to the next up-and-coming future leaders. The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers was well represented, with our members taking home five of the eight awards.
Generation Next winners this year were: Ryan Dennis, Save-on-Foods; Rob Belanger, Save-on-Foods; Neil Kudrinko, Kudrinko’s; Mike Longo, Longo’s; David Bell, Houweling’s Tomatoes; Kelly Herdin, Federated Co-operatives; Jamie Griffiths, Walmart Canada; and Jennifer Clark, First Food Organics.
Ryan Dennis is a store manager at Save-on-Foods in North Vancouver who started bagging groceries at age 17.
Rob Belanger is a store manager at Save-on-Foods in Prince George, B.C. He has made a name for himself with his commitment to staff and community.
Kelly Herdin is the business analyst of consumer insights at Federated Co-operatives in Saskatoon. Herdin uses data analytics to reach the company’s customers more effectively.
Neil Kudrinko is president of Kudrinko’s in Westport, Ont., and considered a green leader in North America for his energy efficient retrofit of his supermarket.
Mike Longo is vice-president of fresh foods at Longo’s, a chain of 26 stores in the Greater Toronto Area. He drives the innovation and parternships in fresh, and its restaurants in three of its stores.
Read the winners’ full stories in the upcoming issue of Canadian Grocer (Dec/Jan).
The Generation Next Award, now in its third year, recognizes suppliers and retailers under 40 who demonstrate leadership, a commitment to working in grocery and involvement in the industry or their community.
If you know of anyone under age 40 that fits the bill for Generation Next, be sure to nominate him/her next year!
For more information, contact Nancy Kwon, at nkwon@cfig.ca
© 2024 Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
