FMI, NGA Present Leadership Awards

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) honored state-level execs during the groups' Day in Washington fly-in event, for which more than 200 grocery industry representatives came to the nation’s capital to discuss key issues with federal legislators.

Ellie Taylor, president of the Birmingham-based Alabama Grocers Association, received the 2017 Donald H. MacManus Award from FMI for her outstanding leadership and dedication to the grocery industry.

“Ellie’s passion for the food retail community is evident as she tirelessly dedicates herself to improving her community and the entire industry,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of Arlington, Va.-based FMI, who presented the award.

Over more than 20 years as a champion of the food retail industry, Taylor helped create Eat At Home Alabama, a consumer campaign to promote the grocery industry and eating at home; worked with the legislature to pass the 2015 Healthy Food Financing Act, which provides loans and grants for the construction, expansion and renovation of grocery stores in lower-income, underserved rural and urban areas of Alabama; worked with the state to expand the number of days in the month that SNAP recipients could purchase groceries; and implemented the Buy Alabama’s Best campaign to inform and educate consumers on what products are made, produced, manufactured and/or based in the state, among other achievements.

Taylor was previously the Southern representative on the FMI Government Relations Committee, and served on the board of directors for the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE). She is a past award winner of the Grocery Industry Women Who Make a Difference award, and a member of the Food Industry Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, the NGA recognized Kathy Kuzava, president of the Georgia Food Industry Association (GFIA) with its Association Leadership Award for her dedication and contributions to the independent supermarket industry.

“Throughout her career, Kathy has been an outstanding industry leader, steering many successful state and federal legislative efforts on various issues that have greatly benefited the grocery industry in Georgia and nationally,” said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of Arlington-based NGA.

Kuzava has been president of Smyrna-based GFIA for more than 25 years. She began her career with Supervalu. While growing the GFIA’s membership, she has improved the association’s programs and built strong relationships between members and industry suppliers, as well as elected officials and regulatory agencies in Georgia.

NGA created the award more than a decade ago to honor and recognize state association executives who work on behalf of the independent supermarket industry.