“Exemplary store managers are essential to successful operations,” said FMI President and CEO Tim Hammonds. “FMI applauds all of the finalists of the Store Manager Superior Service Awards for their dedication and excellence in customer and community service.”
Store managers were asked to submit innovative stories describing how they have excelled in the areas of customer or community service. The contest was open to in-store managers employed by food retail, mass merchandise and convenience store operators anywhere in the world. Entrants must have been employed at the same store for at least one year.
A six-member panel of judges — including representatives from Hallmark Cards, the awards sponsor — then evaluated the entries on originality, creativity and significance of the customer or community service effort.
The 20 finalists receive two tickets to the 2004 FMI Show, two tickets to the FMI Annual Monday Night Reception and Dinner at the Show, and three nights hotel accommodations in Chicago, May 2 – 4. The four grand prize winners will be announced at the dinner on May 3, where each will receive an engraved plaque and a $1,000 check.
The contest finalists, stores and locations are:
| Store Manager | Store Name | Store Location |
| Ramiro Aguirre | Moore Street Market | Brooklyn, NY |
| Paul Chapman | Basha's Supermarkets | Thatcher, AZ |
| Robert Contreras | Raley's | Benicia, CA |
| Denny Glick | Hy-Vee, Inc. | Perry, IA |
| Todd Hepler | Hy-Vee, Inc. | Iowa Falls, IA |
| MaryAnn Holton | Pathmark Stores, Inc. | Whippany, NJ |
| Rick Jaeger | Stater Bros. Markets | Big Bear Lake, CA |
| Jamie Johnson | Albertsons, Inc. | Troutdale, OR |
| Daryl Kruse | Hy-Vee, Inc. | Des Moines, IA |
| Mike Lynk | Dominick's Finer Foods | Mundelein, IL |
| Ramon Martinez | BI-LO, LLC | Spartanburg, SC |
| Joyce McLamb | Carlie C's IGA | Benson, NC |
| Kasimir Pawliszyn | Raley's | Gardnerville, NV |
| Jeff Quandt | Hy-Vee, Inc. | Lincoln, NE |
| David Riney | Niemann Foods-County Market | Canton, MO |
| Dan Schmedding | Hy-Vee, Inc. | Mankato, MN |
| Chester Skinner | BI-LO, LLC | Vidalia, GA |
| Gary Starchman | BI-LO, LLC | Columbia, TN |
| Nick Steinbach | Hy-Vee, Inc. | Omaha, NE |
| Tim Stupka | Hy-Vee, Inc. | Sioux Falls, SD |
The FMI Show — The Place to Be in 2004
The 2004 FMI Show will be an event like no other, offering unprecedented service and customized benefits. Participants of all sizes will find value, efficiency and productivity in this once-a-year gathering of industry leaders from all over the globe. Click on the link below for complete Show information.
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