News Room

Christy Spoa Receives 2002 Woodard Award for Excellence in Public Affairs

January 15, 2002
SCOTTSDALE, AZ — January 15, 2002 —Food Marketing Institute (FMI) announced Christy Spoa, president, Ellwood City Save-A-Lot, as the recipient of the 2002 Glen P. Woodard, Jr. Award. The Woodard Award honors an FMI member who has made outstanding contributions in shaping public policy, legislation and regulation at the national and local levels. The award was presented during the 2002 FMI Midwinter Executive Conference being held here.

In presenting the award, FMI Chairman Ron Pearson stated, “No one has served our industry more in the public affairs arena than Christy Spoa. His commitment and excellence in issues regarding the environment, health care, education, communications and community are second to none.”

Spoa has been instrumental in helping FMI advocate for repeal of the death tax. He has also assisted in food stamp, WIC and EBT issues. He has held numerous leadership positions at FMI including chair of both the Independent Operator and Communications Committees. He has also chaired the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.

In his home state, Spoa was the key figure in rebuilding a thoroughfare essential to local businesses. He lobbied the state government and gained a grant, completing the job in only six months. He has also been influential in promoting college scholarships for two decades through the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). He serves on the state’s DECA board and hires DECA students. He has also helped FMI endow a national DECA scholarship program.

“Christy has been an outstanding leader to his community and to our industry.”

Food Marketing Institute proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry. FMI’s U.S. members operate nearly 40,000 retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies, representing a combined annual sales volume of almost $770 billion. Through programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations, FMI offers resources and provides valuable benefits to more than 1,225 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI membership covers the spectrum of diverse venues where food is sold, including single owner grocery stores, large multi-store supermarket chains and mixed retail stores. For more information, visit www.fmi.org and for information regarding the FMI foundation, visit www.fmifoundation.org

###