Alabama Grocers Salutes Members of Year

Alabama Grocers Association named its top industry members of the year at the recent Food Industry Finest Luncheon in Birmingham, Ala.

Naseem Ajlouny of Piggly Wiggly was named Retailer of the Year. Ajlouny purchased his first grocery store in 1977 and has been part of the Piggly Wiggly banner since 1984. He currently owns 11 stores and is on the board for Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co.

Johnny Collins of Barber’s Dairy was named Vendor of the Year. Collins joined his family’s company in 1995 and has held several positions from key account manager to his current one as general manager. Barber’s Dairy was one of the founding companies to start the Buy Alabama’s Best campaign a decade ago to promote products made, manufactured, produced or headquartered in the state.

Supervalu’s Jack Carlile was named Wholesaler of the Year. He has been working in the industry since 1972 and joined Supervalu in 1994 as an account manager. He currently is area sales director for the wholesaler.

The luncheon also hosted the Alabama State bagging competition, with Jerrico Everhard from Foodland in Guntersville emerging as the Alabama State Bagger of the Year. He will represent the state during the national Best Bagger Championship at the National Grocers Association show in Las Vegas in February.