May 5, 2008
LAS VEGAS, NV — May 5, 2008 — The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) recognized a Minneapolis, MN store manager today as one of three Grand Prize winners of the 2008 Store Manager Awards at the FMI Show.

     Mark Halvorson, of Cub Foods, was recognized for his service to his store, its employees and the community. He has been the director of the Midway store for six years.
He is quick to offer help wherever it is needed. After the Interstate 35 bridge collapse late last summer, Halvorson immediately organized food, water and other essential supplies for rescue workers and others responding to the tragedy. In the days that followed, he became the point person for coordinating Cub’s overall response to the disaster.

     Employees credit him with creating a family atmosphere in the store. They say they know they can reach out to him for help. He has been known to help an employee pay his rent and encourages his employees to finish high school.

Halvorson respects and understands different cultures. His store serves a diverse community whose residents have emigrated from countries including Ethiopia, Somalia, Nigeria, Laos and Vietnam. He draws from this diverse market in hiring people. In fact more than half the store’s associates are foreign-born.
        
For the award competition, companies submitted entries highlighting store managers who established programs to improve their communities or stores by enhancing customer relations and store operations, increasing their consumer base or revitalizing the community. The contest was open to in-store managers employed in the food retail, mass merchandise and convenience store industries.

Judges evaluated the entries on originality, creativity, impact on store growth, customer satisfaction and community relations. The grand prize winners each receive a $1,000 check.