Allegiance Retail Services held its annual member meeting in-person June 30 at the co-op’s headquarters in Iselin, NJ.
“Convening this year’s member meeting is particularly gratifying due to the inability to meet in-person for an extended period of time. Allegiance has a bright future and our cooperative members reflect that optimism evidenced by their investment in stores, associates and the communities they serve,” said John T. Derderian, president and CEO of Allegiance Retail Services (ARS).
The meeting’s first item of order was the election of the Allegiance board of managers, as well as the Foodtown board of directors for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Those newly appointed ARS and Foodtown managers and directors were: John Estevez, Jason Ferreira, Daniel Katz, Michael Mignosi, Esmail Mobarak, Joseph Parisi, Louis Scaduto Jr., John Shakoor and John Derderian.
Parisi, CEO of co-op member Gristedes/D’Agostino Red Apple Group shared the following sentiment on his appointment, “I am excited to be part of the board and look forward to a successful year.”
During the of the meeting, themed “Charting a Course for the Future,” ARS executives presented initiatives designed to drive sales and efficiency post a COVID environment.
Once the presentations concluded, members in attendance shared their sentiments. Noah Katz, co-president of PSK Supermarkets that operate Foodtown, Freshtown and Pathmark supermarkets, said, “It’s great to see everyone, grateful to have been able to come through this difficult period taking care of our customers and associates alike.”
John Estevez, president of Estevez Markets operating Foodtown and Green Way Markets, remarked on belonging to ARS, “The co-op always acts in the best interest of its customer and members.”
Independent Foodtown grocer Michael Fernandez echoed others’ remarks saying, “Love being part of a family that has your best interest at heart. They are always available to help.”
