2010
Kentucky Grocer of the Year Award
recipient Johnny Cecil (Food City)
FRANKFORT,
KY, NOVEMBER 2, 2010: The Kentucky Grocers Association,
Inc. (KGA) has named John Cecil, Executive Vice President of
Store Operations for Food City, the 2010 Kentucky Grocer of
the Year.
The
award was presented to Cecil during the 2010 Kentucky Grocers
Association, Inc. Annual Meeting and Industry Awards Dinner
held Saturday October 30th at the French Lick Springs Resort
in French Lick, IN. The award recipient is determined by the
KGA Board of Directors and based on an individual's outstanding
contribution to their family, community, and the good of the
retail food and food distribution industries in Kentucky. The
Kentucky Grocer of the Year Award has been presented annually
since 1972.
Food
City President and CEO Steve Smith introduced Cecil telling
dinner attendees that his friendship with Cecil actually began
when they were students at James Madison University in Virginia-striking
up a conversation and friendship that has lasted over 30 years.
Smith stated, "Johnny is a people person. He has faith
in the people he works with to get a job done and when Johnny
says he is going to do something, you can consider it done."
In
1980, following his graduation from James Madison University,
Cecil began working for K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. as store manager
of an experimental new store entitled Sav-U-Discount Foods.
Although the concept was terminated a year-and-a-half later,
Cecil found a home with the Food City team, quickly learning
the ropes of the grocery industry and working his way up the
ranks.
Throughout
his career with K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc., Cecil has served in
numerous key positions, including store manager, administrative
assistant to the president and district manager, before accepting
his current position as executive vice president of store operations
for Food City's Tri-City Division. Cecil is currently responsible
for the total operation of 54 supermarkets in Kentucky, Virginia
and Tennessee, including the supervision of five district managers.
Cecil
is involved in various political and charitable activities and
has served on the board of directors for the Kentucky Grocers
Association, is a member of the National Grocers Association
and a recipient of their NGA Spirit of America Award. He also
established and chaired the board for Prestonsburg's Community
College Educational Foundation, implemented the Food City Scholarship
Program in association with KGA/KACS and has been instrumental
in helping pass legislation beneficial to the Kentucky grocery
industry.
Cecil
earned a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University.
He currently resides in Pikeville, Kentucky with his wife, Jane.
2010
KGA/KACS Chairman Tom Litzler commented that "Johnny has
been a tremendous asset to the Kentucky grocery industry in
working legislative issues on behalf of the entire industry.
When legislation impacting our industry was proposed or even
moving, Johnny was always there to help lead the charge."
In
accepting the award, Cecil said, "He was still in shock
over being named 2010 Grocer of the year that he owes so much
of his personal success to the Food City organization."
Cecil also said "The KGA/KACS is a great organization and
I am so proud to be a part of it."
About
the Kentucky Grocers Association & Kentucky Association
of Convenience Stores
(KGA/KACS):
Founded in 1941, the Kentucky Grocers Association and Kentucky
Association of Convenience Stores is a joint statewide trade
association representing approximately 550 member companies
operating in a retail food and convenience marketplace of approximately
1,900 locations across Kentucky. Membership includes retailers,
wholesalers, distributors, and related suppliers to the grocery,
supermarket, and convenience store industries.
About
Food City:
Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores operates
105 retail food outlets throughout the tri-state regions of
Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.