Two produce managers, others win awards for The Giant Co.’s 100th anniversary

Hammering home the point that a company can't thrive, let alone for a century, without great team members, one Eastern Seaboard grocery retailer recently celebrated the cream of the crop.

Almost 2,000 employees of The Giant Co., based in Carlisle, Pa., met to celebrate the retailer’s 100th anniversary — and two produce managers, a store manager and 18 others won awards.

The 21 honorees were in Hershey, Pa., when they were recognized for their outstanding commitments to the company and its efforts.

“The Giant Co. wouldn’t be celebrating 100 years without the dedication of our team members to serve our customers, our communities and each other,” the company’s interim president, John Ruane, said in a news release. “We are proud to honor these outstanding leaders who every day live and bring to life our purpose of connecting families."

Two produce and floral managers received honors as part of the Department Manager of the Year Awards: Chad Kiessling of Williamsport, Pa., and Kevin Miles of Wynnewood, Pa. This award goes to department managers in each division who consistently enhance the customer's shopping experience, drive incremental sales, unit growth and profitability, while building strong teams, according to the release.

This omnichannel retailer serves shoppers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and New Jersey among 193 stores, 132 pharmacies, 107 fuel stations and more than 180 online pickup hubs and grocery delivery service in hundreds of zip codes. Founded in 1923 in Carlisle, Pa., The Giant Co. family of brands includes Giant, Martin’s, Giant Heirloom Market, Giant Direct and Martin’s Direct. It is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA.

Brian Lorenz, director of deli and bakery at the Carlisle, Pa., store, won the Presidents’ Award. This highest honor is voted upon by all the company’s living past presidents and recognizes a person who consistently delivers exceptional performance, contributes to the organization’s success in countless ways, is a role model for the company’s values, and brings the company’s purpose to life in all that they do. 

Related: The Giant Co. dietitians spotlight summer produce in virtual classes

The rest of the award recipients include:

• Department Manager of the Year Awards: (besides Kiessling and Miles for produce) Sabrina Reimold, meat and seafood manager in Hazleton, Pa.; Brian Johnson, meat and seafood manager in East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Greg Governor, deli manager of Dubois, Pa.; Mary Colon, deli manager of West Grove, Pa.; Susan Scharf, bakery manager of Gettysburg, Pa.; Meyer Keeler, bakery manager of Philadelphia; Joshua Budd, grocery manager of Berryville, Va.; and Melissa Miller, grocery manager of Broomall, Pa. 
• Assistant Store Manager of the Year Awards: This category recognizes assistant store managers in each division who consistently generate sales and unit growth, enhance the customer shopping experience, manage compliance expectations and lead by demonstrating company values. Winners include: Lori Treaster, fresh assistant store manager of Lewistown, Pa.; Lou Mandrack, fresh assistant store manager of Pottstown, Pa.; Amy Titus, center store assistant store manager of Hazleton, Pa.; Frank Arena, center store assistant store manager of Kennett Square, Pa.; Paul Funk, customer experience assistant store manager of Columbia, Pa.; and Jessica Lees, customer experience assistant store manager of Coplay, Pa. 
• E-commerce Facility Manager of the Year Award: Sean Michael of Lancaster, Pa., won for best demonstrating operational excellence and living the company’s values, bringing them to life by actively engaging its customers and team members.
• E-commerce Assistant Facility Manager of the Year Award: Tara Waddell of Philadelphia won for consistently generating sales and order growth and leading continual improvement to enhance the customer's shopping experience, while leading her team through company values.
• Pharmacy Manager of the Year Awards: This award goes to pharmacy managers in each division who consistently generate pharmacy sales and script count, drive immunization growth, enhance the customer's shopping experience, manage compliance expectations and lead by demonstrating company values. Recipients included Misty Hersh of Enola, Pa., and Justin Thornton of Langhorne, Pa. 

The GIANT Co. will honor its 100th anniversary through a multimonth celebration rooted in its purpose of connecting families for a better future, honoring its team members, customers and the communities it serves, according to the release.