In a small Kentucky town, Toby strives to make a big difference. He executes strategic pricing and loyalty programs that benefit community members mindful of their budgets and is a proud member of the community, too, who often organizes and leads volunteer activities.

Delivering value in its many forms is a priority for this manager of a Food Lion in rural Scottsville that includes many lower-income households. Toby encourages his team to emphasize the importance of Food Lion programs like Shop & Earn, which enables shoppers to earn rewards by shopping their personalized monthly offers. He also trains associates to remind customers of their savings opportunities at the register and to promote affordable purchase options, including store brands.

That approach has helped Food Lion patrons and it’s proven beneficial for this store, too. Under Toby guidance, the location has nearly doubled its average weekly sales and increased its customer count. Inventory management has also improved, thanks to his efforts.

There are some notable bright spots in Toby’s store that have helped lift those sales and traffic numbers. The Food Lion to Go program grew significantly last year, with steady streams of orders among shoppers seeking both value and convenience when planning meals. Toby has also worked to grow the store’s ecommerce sales as part of a broader effort to deliver positive results for the company.

Toby – who was named Food Lion’s 2024 Store Manager of the Year for the Central Division— leverages his two decades of experience at Food Lion to direct and inspire the Scottsville store team. Known for his humor and servant-leader style, he has created an inclusive environment that has ultimately led to greater retention. Toby facilitates retention by recognizing associates for exemplary customer service and creating and executing a mentorship program to ensure that all employees are trained to serve in each department. Last year, he produced several subject matter experts to assist the entire region with training new department managers and rolling out new programs and he also promoted two associates into managerial positions.

Beyond his store, Toby fosters future leaders in other ways. He regularly offers merchandising tips and insights to enrich his peer group during weekly regional calls. Within the community, he extends the positive Food Lion culture by participating and encouraging others to take part in local events. He and his team support local medical, fire, and police departments as well as nearby food banks and churches. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene that ravaged parts of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, Toby partnered with a local church to provide weekly meals to affected families. He often takes flowers and food to the local nursing home, another small-but-meaningful gesture that demonstrates his caring nature and philosophy of leadership.