Grocery Vet Ronald Fong Named CGA¿s President and CEO
The California Grocers Association last week named grocery industry veteran Ronald Fong president and c.e.o. of the Sacramento-based regional retail food trade group, effective March 31.
Fong succeeds Peter J. Larkin who resigned in October 2007 after 11 years as CGA president, to open a public affairs firm based in Sacramento. He joins Calif.-based CGA after 12 years with the California Credit Union League, where he was v.p. of state government affairs. Prior to that, Fong was corporate president for United Market, Inc., his family’s independent grocery company that operated neighborhood stores in the Sacramento region. His grandfather started Carmichael Supermarket, the first grocery market in Carmichael, in 1941.
CGA chairman Richard E. Morgan, Jr. of Holiday/Sav-Mor Foods, said CGA’s executive committee selected Fong from an impressive list of candidates, based on his strong advocacy skills and knowledge of the legislative process.
“Ron is extremely enthusiastic about government relations, has a strong grocery background, is a native Californian, and a lawyer,” added Morgan.
As president, Fong will serve as the CGA’s chief legislative advocate and oversee its government relations, member services, convention, and communications programs. Fong will also serve as president of the CGA Educational Foundation (CGAEF), which provides financial support for educational programs, including college scholarships and career development, and industry research projects.
CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating more than 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.
Fong succeeds Peter J. Larkin who resigned in October 2007 after 11 years as CGA president, to open a public affairs firm based in Sacramento. He joins Calif.-based CGA after 12 years with the California Credit Union League, where he was v.p. of state government affairs. Prior to that, Fong was corporate president for United Market, Inc., his family’s independent grocery company that operated neighborhood stores in the Sacramento region. His grandfather started Carmichael Supermarket, the first grocery market in Carmichael, in 1941.
CGA chairman Richard E. Morgan, Jr. of Holiday/Sav-Mor Foods, said CGA’s executive committee selected Fong from an impressive list of candidates, based on his strong advocacy skills and knowledge of the legislative process.
“Ron is extremely enthusiastic about government relations, has a strong grocery background, is a native Californian, and a lawyer,” added Morgan.
As president, Fong will serve as the CGA’s chief legislative advocate and oversee its government relations, member services, convention, and communications programs. Fong will also serve as president of the CGA Educational Foundation (CGAEF), which provides financial support for educational programs, including college scholarships and career development, and industry research projects.
CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating more than 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.