2010 Kentucky Convenience Store of the Year Award
recipient Jeff Holbrook (Short Stop Food Mart)

FRANKFORT, KY, NOVEMBER 02, 2010: The Kentucky Association of Convenience stores in conjunction with the Kentucky Grocers Association (KGA/KACS) have named Jeff Holbrook, President and CEO of Louisville-based Short Stop Food Marts, the 2010 Kentucky Convenience Store of the Year Award recipient.

The award was presented to Holbrook during the 2010 KGA/KACS Annual Meeting and Industry Awards Dinner held Saturday October 30, 2010 at the French Lick Springs Resort in French Lick, IN. The award recipient is determined by the KGA/KACS Board of Directors and based on an individual's outstanding contribution to their family, community, and the good of the convenience store and convenience distribution industries in Kentucky. The Kentucky Convenience Store of the Year Award was established in 2008 as a separate association award recognizing the convenience store industry in Kentucky.

Each of Holbrook's three sons - Jeff, Matt, and Jason - told event attendees of how their father's steady mentoring and lessons about treating people with honesty and fairness provided the fundamental lessons now contributing to their own success in the business world.

2010 KGA/KACS Chairman of the Board Tom Litzler said, "Jeff has always been the leader the KGA/KACS board turns to with questions about our bylaws and how our organization actually conducts business. Whether we're tackling difficult association financial decisions or the best way to handle a tough industry decision, Jeff is always ready to provide his wisdom and knowledge."

In his acceptance remarks, Holbrook told the audience about the importance of having mentors in life. Citing his father Orell Holbrook, KGA Grocer of the Year in 1985, Holbrook said, "My father taught me about honesty, integrity, and fair dealing in business." My father-in-law Phil McCardwell, also served as a mentor in teaching the importance of giving back to the community you serve in exchange for what success your business enjoys.

Born in Letcher County Kentucky, Jeff grew up in Louisville where his parents and grandparents moved after World War II to establish themselves in the grocery business. Over the years his father, Orell Holbrook, established four supermarkets, later becoming Key Market and Gateway Supermarkets serviced by a local wholesale company known as the Creasey Company.

At an early age Jeff worked alongside his Dad bagging customer's groceries, stocking wooden shelves, and sweeping concrete floors.

Graduating from Seneca High School in Louisville, he attended Transylvania College in Lexington, Kentucky and then transferred back home attending the University Of Louisville School of Business majoring in Business Administration.

Working for the KG Food Corporation (K Mart) and his Dad while in college, he still found time to date and marry his high school sweetheart, the former Pam McCardwell. Jeff and Pam recently celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary.

After college, Jeff worked for his Dad starting as Produce Manager working his way up to Store Manager. After several attempts to expand his Dad's supermarket business, Jeff believed the road to survival for the small independent supermarket operator was to grow through a new store phenomenon known as convenience stores. Over the next several years, under the umbrella of the supermarket corporation, Jeff established a franchise which allowed individuals to open and run a store under his guidance with the name of the new Short Stop Food Marts, Inc.

By 1978, the Short Stop Food Marts were growing and Jeff purchased the Short Stop stores from his Dad. Jeff continued to grow the operation opening 28 stores throughout the years. As Jeff looked to retirement, he began reducing the number of stores until his son Matt decided to join his Dad and continue the Short Stop Food Mart legacy. Jeff looks forward to retirement, as Matt continues to grow the family business.

Jeff has been involved in his community and in civic affairs over the years. Jeff is an active member of Southeast Christian Church and has served as a Deacon and Finance Committee Chairman for former churches. Having an interest in young people, Jeff has been an Institutional Representative for the Boy Scouts of America, served on the Board of Trustees for Brooklawn Children's Home in Louisville, is a Lifetime Member of Optimist International and was recognized as a "Distinguished" Club President. He has chaired numerous committees and served as a Lieutenant Governor for the Kentucky-West Virginia District of Optimist International.

Along with his civic involvement Jeff has seen and accepted opportunities to give back to the community through his business. One of the significant ways Short Stop has been involved in the past is through an annual golf tournament to benefit Muscular Dystrophy. Fellowship of Christian Athletes is another organization that Short Stop has supported.

Jeff has been, and continues to be dedicated to the concerns of the Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Stores Association. He joined the board of the Kentucky Grocer's Association at a young age and has been involved in many capacities over his numerous terms of office, including Chairman of the Board.

Jeff and Pam are the proud parents of three incredible sons, Jeff, affectionately known as JP, Matt and Jason, three wonderful daughters-in-law, and ten precious grandchildren.

Along with cheering on their grandchildren with their sports endeavors, Jeff and Pam are avid University of Louisville football and basketball fans. Jeff's other interests include downhill snow skiing and model railroading.

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 Short Stop Food Marts:
Established as a company in 1978, Short Stop Food Marts operates 12 retail food & fuel locations in the Metro Louisville area.