January 24, 2015 – Miami, Florida – IGA, Inc. Chairman Dr. Thomas S. Haggai received the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) Herbert Hoover Award Saturday at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Miami. The Hoover Award recognizes Dr. Haggai’s longtime humanitarian service in the food retail industry.
FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin commented, “Dr. Haggai is a true architect of the human spirit. He motivates, inspires and builds communities in his work with independent operators. Honoring him tonight is honoring a global legacy of achievement within our industry.”
Dr. Haggai is often touted as the only non-grocery retailer to sit on the board of IGA. A radio personality, author, minister and business consultant, Dr. Haggai has contributed a notably diverse perspective to the board of IGA since 1972 and as board chairman since 1976. He often celebrated the creative minds at IGA to media and in his addresses, and once touted IGA as a think tank due to the talent at the helm of the organization. Under his advisement, Dr. Haggai helped to introduce IGA in Japan and Australia in the late 1980s; but he also identified strong domestic growth opportunities, especially within cities like Philadelphia and Cincinnati where IGA continues to enjoy a strong presence.
Sarasin noted, “It was his business influence that earned Dr. Haggai the FMI Sidney R. Rabb award in 2003, but it is his commitment to youth, education and the community for which he earns the Hoover award more than a decade later.”
Haggai founded Tom Haggai and Associates (THA) Foundation in 1963 with 120 national business and professional leaders as associates. According to published reports, THA Foundation provides assistance “so young people would be prepared to help the youth of our country,” focusing on college scholarships to nontraditional students returning to school in pursuit of certification as elementary school teachers. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than 1,200 scholarships exceeding $3 million.
His commitment to schooling was evident in his 1985 commencement address to Pepperdine School of Education and Philosophy where Dr. Haggai told graduates, “Education has been the ‘real resource’ contributing to the welfare and growth of society.” While he was often in the role of educator, he was quoted describing himself as a dedicated and constant student of the grocery industry.
Dr. Haggai has been the recipient of many teaching honors throughout his career, among them earning honorary degrees from High Point University; Salem College; Charleston Southern University; Pepperdine University; Alderson Broaddus College; Campbell University; Boston University; Northwood University; Lindenwood University; Missouri Western State College; Virginia Union; Doane College; and North Greenville University.
IGA President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Batenic celebrated Dr. Haggai in a video testimonial, sharing many of the selfless qualities that make Dr. Haggai a deserving recipient of the Hoover award. Batenic described him as humble, a strong communicator, a good listener and having integrity in business.
Batenic said, “He’ll tell you he’s not a grocery person. The reason he’s in this business is because he knows people. And he knows how to motivate people. With IGA, he truly believes he’s on a mission, and that mission is to build community centers. He firmly believes in the entrepreneurial, family-owned business spirit. Not just in this country, but all around the world.”
Batenic concluded with a personal message to Dr. Haggai, saying, “For you to receive this award is certainly, I think, a high point of your career. And I know you’ve received other awards, but this one to me means the most because it truly exemplifies the kind of life you’ve led. And that life is to be an example for everybody else as they move forward in their lives.”
Dr. Haggai and his wife, Buren, currently reside in Jamestown, North Carolina. They have three daughters, one son, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
For Media:
Testimonial video from IGA President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Batenic available here.
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