FMI Celebrates the Food Industry’s Legacy with the 2026 Executive Leadership Awards

Chula Vista, Calif. - The food industry thrives on innovation, integrity and the drive to serve communities. This year, FMI - The Food Industry Association recognized the 2026 Executive Leadership Award recipients from Alex Lee, Inc.; Longo Brothers Fruit Markets, Inc.; Market of Choice, Inc.; Wakefern Food Corp.; The Clorox Company; Stater Bros. Markets; and Knowlan's Super Markets, Inc., at the 2026 Midwinter Executive Conference in Chula Vista, California.

FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin said, "Excellence is achieved through a collection of moments throughout a person's career that makes him or her stand apart. This year's Executive Leadership Award recipients demonstrate how excellence is accumulated over one's lifetime, and they exemplify what true leadership in the food industry looks like. These leaders have earned the recognition and gratitude of today's dynamic food industry because of their relentless commitment to collaboration and to helping to move our industry forward."

These awards celebrate seven professionals whose influence and dedication have been gamechangers for the food industry. These individuals embody strong leadership, and all their achievements have set new benchmarks for excellence.

Sidney R. Rabb Award for Statesmanship

Brian George, President, Chairman and CEO, Alex Lee, Inc.

Brian George leads Alex Lee, Inc., a family-owned company with a 95-year legacy in wholesale distribution and retail. Since joining Alex Lee in 2005, George has held a variety of leadership roles, including co-manager and store manager at Lowes Foods, manager of retail development, and vice president of sales at MDI. He became president in 2011, CEO in 2014, and chairman in 2018. George is known for championing a customer-centric approach and regularly engages customers and consumers to gain insights that drive innovation and efficiency across the organization. Under his leadership, Alex Lee has expanded through acquisitions, brand transformations, and new product and service offerings. In recognition of his excellence in serving the consumer, the community and the industry, George is honored with the Sidney R. Rabb Award. His commitment to leadership and service continues to shape the growth of Alex Lee, Inc.

Herbert Hoover Award for Humanitarian Service

Mike Stigers, President, Wakefern Food Corp.

Mike Stigers is president of Wakefern Food Corp., the nation's largest retailer-owned cooperative. With a career spanning five decades, Stigers began as a part-time courtesy clerk at Safeway in California and rose through the ranks in both the retail and wholesale sectors, gaining expertise in operations, merchandising, retail technology, food safety and supply chain management. His leadership has guided organizations including Cub Foods, SuperValu, and UNFI, and he has served on the boards of major food retail industry associations. In recognition of his humanitarian service, Stigers is honored with the Herbert Hoover Award. His commitment to servant leadership and uplifting the future of the food industry is inspirational.

Esther Peterson Award for Consumer Service

Pete Van Helden, Executive Chairman, Stater Bros. Markets

Pete Van Helden is the executive chairman of Stater Bros. Markets, where his leadership has shaped the company since 2013. Van Helden began his supermarket career as a courtesy clerk at Rosauers Supermarkets in 1976, and he has held various leadership roles at Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Supervalu and Stater Bros. Markets, overseeing operations, merger integration and strategic growth across the industry. He was promoted to CEO of Stater Bros. Markets in 2016 and appointed to executive chairman in 2025. Today he is honored with the Esther Peterson Award for a lifetime of vision, integrity and caring sensitivity to the needs of retail food customers. Van Helden's commitment to the grocery industry is reflected in his service on numerous boards and is perhaps most evident in his community outreach initiatives, such as supporting the Salvation Army for decades. Van Helden's dedication to advancing the food industry and supporting communities continues to inspire those around him.

William H. Albers Industry Relations Award

Bob Richardson, Director, Trade Relations, The Clorox Company

With 55 years in grocery industry and 25 years at Clorox, Bob Richardson has excelled in sales management. The past 17 years at Clorox, he has served as Director of Trade and Industry Relations. During that time, Richardson built trusted relationships with retailers, suppliers, sales agencies, and associations to deliver value added industry growth. His dedication to the grocery industry and commitment to fostering collaboration have earned him the prestigious William H. Albers Award, recognizing his outstanding leadership and service. Richardson's industry impact is reflected in his active involvement with all key associations, FMI primary focus. Richardson has shown the ability to bring together the business community for strategic dialog, supporting committees focused on regulatory affairs, education, and planning forums for high-impact industry collaboration.

Robert B. Wegman Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence

Anthony Longo, Executive Chairman, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.

Founded in 1956 by his father, Tommy, and uncles Joe and Gus, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. has grown into a respected Canadian food retailer known for innovative retail strategies and imaginative merchandising that caters to time-starved families, the very qualities recognized by the Robert B. Wegman Award. As executive chairman, Anthony Longo is renowned for his entrepreneurial leadership and a deep commitment to lifelong learning and community service. He serves on the boards of Aegis Brands, The Grocery Foundation and The Baycrest Foundation, and previously chaired the Humber College Board of Governors, ProAction Cops and Kids and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. His contributions have been honored with the Spirit of the Independent Award (2012), the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013), the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award (2017) and Canada's Most Admired CEO Enterprise (2019).

Robert B. Wegman Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence

Rick Wright, Chief Executive Officer, Market of Choice, Inc. (Posthumous)

Rick Wright was a visionary leader and dedicated steward of Oregon's local food community. During his time as owner and CEO of Market of Choice, Wright carried forward his family's legacy, transforming a small discount grocery chain into Oregon's largest independent, family-owned grocer. Under his leadership, Market of Choice grew to 12 stores, more than 1,400 employees and over 7,000 locally made products, reflecting Wright's belief that grocery stores should be engines of local economic growth. Honored with the Robert B. Wegman Award for entrepreneurial leadership in retail strategy and imaginative merchandising, Wright redefined the role of the modern grocery store as a gathering place and champion of regional makers. He created opportunities for hundreds of Oregon producers and fostered a culture of mentorship, innovation, and genuine care among employees and vendors. Beyond his work in the grocery industry, Wright was a generous philanthropist, serving on numerous boards and supporting nonprofits focused on food security, education and the arts. His enduring legacy lives on in the company he built, the community he uplifted, and the many lives he touched. His award is accepted by his wife, Deborah Wright.

Glen P. Woodard, Jr., Award for Public Affairs

Lauri Youngquist, CEO, Knowlan's Super Markets, Inc.

Lauri Youngquist is CEO of Knowlan's Super Markets, Inc., a woman-owned and -operated company since 1984. Alongside her sister Marie Aarthun, Youngquist has led the company's growth and innovation, drawing on her background in finance and technology. She returned to Knowlan's as CFO in 1991 after a 15-year career in educational publishing and quickly spearheaded investments in technology, including JIT inventory systems and computer-assisted forecasting, which enhanced operational efficiency and agility. Under Youngquist's leadership, Knowlan's expanded with additional grocery stores, coffeehouse locations, On the Rocks Wine & Spirits, a wholesale central bakery and bakery/cafes under a separate brand. Among her advocacy efforts, Youngquist has served as an unwavering advocate for fairness within routing networks on interchange, championing the interests of our industry with remarkable persistence and clarity. Her dedication to the grocery industry and her entrepreneurial spirit have earned her the Glen P. Woodard, Jr. Award, recognizing her lasting impact on independent retail.

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