FMI Announces Grand Prize Winners of Store Manager Awards Competition

Three Store Managers Recognized for Service to Stores, Customers and Community

DALLAS, TX — October 13, 2009 — The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) announced the Grand Prize winners of the 10th Annual Store Manager Awards today at Future Connect, FMI’s new leadership education conference.

• Bob Gillick, store director of a ShopRite Supermarket in Yonkers, NY — Category A, companies with 1-49 stores.


• Henry Falcon, manager of the Sweetbay Supermarket in Plant City, FL — Category B, companies with 50-199 stores.


• Jeff Barricks, manager of a Safeway store in Corvallis, OR — Category C, companies with 200 or more stores.

Finalists are selected based on stories submitted from their supervisors or store associates. The entries were judged on originality and creativity and the person’s impact on sales growth, customer satisfaction and community service.

The three grand prize winners were chosen from a group of nine finalists. The other finalists:

• Emily Hoff, manager of Valley View IGA Plus in Sidney, MT.


• Blake Meek, manager of a Lawrence Bros. IGA Supermarket in Roswell, NM.


• Cheryl Blanchard, manager a Price Chopper Supermarket in Delhi, NY.


• Paul DiBari, manager of a Brookshire’s store in Athens, TX.


• Denny Hartogh, store director of a Hy-Vee store in Dubuque, IA.


• Randy Sentachi, manager of a Lucky Supermarket in San Francisco, CA.

All the finalists received two complimentary registrations to the Future Connect conference, three nights of hotel accommodations in Dallas and a crystal award. The grand prize winners each were presented a $1,000 check during an award ceremony.

Bob Gillick is the store director at a ShopRite Supermarket in Yonkers, NY. He is recognized for mentoring store employees and increasing employee job satisfaction scores at his store by 12 points in a two-year period. He is also ShopRite’s lead trainer for new store management joining the company. Gillick significantly improved customer satisfaction survey results at his store. Under his leadership, Gillick’s store surpassed established sales and profit goals and tripled operating income during a two-year period. Gillick and his team assist many community organizations and participate in the Yonkers Hispanic Parade, the African American Parade, American Cancer Society Relay for Life and a project to clean up a historical property in Yonkers.

Henry Falcon is the store manager at the Sweetbay Supermarket in Plant City, FL. He is nominated for providing great customer service and enhancing the financial performance of his store by increasing comparable sales by 25 percent for the past year. Falcon is also recognized for developing highly trained employees, whose service excellence performance scores exceeded the company average in all 28 categories. He inspires team pride and offers a diverse and inclusive workplace for his employees, with seven associates promoted to management in the past year. Falcon is active in many community organizations including the Lions Club, Boys and Girls Club, Chamber of Commerce and Meals on Wheels. The store supports several groups through events like the Angel Christmas Tree Drive, school partnerships, a charity luau, golf tournaments and more.

Jeff Barricks is the store manager at a Safeway store in Corvallis, OR. He is recognized for his ability to execute innovative in-store programs and special events that improve overall customer service and community relations. Under Barricks’ leadership, his store surpassed 2008 sales and profit targets, ranking in the top 15 out of 117 stores in the division and number one in a major shrink reduction initiative in 2008. Barricks serves as a mentor and trainer for Safeway employees and devotes his time and expertise to developing his team and preparing them for career growth. In 2008, five store employees were promoted to department management and two were accepted into Safeway’s highly competitive Retail Leadership Development Program. His store is located near Oregon State University and he is involved in the university’s annual orientation and helps organize their diversity awareness programs. Barricks also works with the local Boys and Girls Club, coaches youth basketball teams, sponsors high school swim championships and serves on the local foster child advocacy board and Portland’s Diversity Advisory Board.
The 2008 grand prize winners were Ralph Tower, MarketPlace Foods, Minot, ND; Cheryl Rondenelli, Hannaford Bros. Co., Clinton, NY; and Mark Halvorson, Cub Foods, St. Paul, MN.