Scott Karns, chairman of Karns Foods, has been named the 2024 recipient of the Food World/Food Trade News Pete Manos Retail Executive of the Year.
The award was first presented to the late Giant Food chairman and chief executive upon his retirement in 1999 and was subsequently named after him. Manos spent his entire 39-year career with Giant Food and passed away in 2016.
The Manos award is presented to a food industry executive annually, in recognition of distinguished industry service, leadership and community involvement.
Scott Karns is a second-generation family member of Karns Foods. He joined his father and company founder, David, in the family grocery business in 1977 after graduating from Messiah College with a BS in business administration. Upon entering the company, Karns began learning all facets of the business.
In 1989 Karns succeeded his father as chief executive officer. Under his leadership the Mechanicsburg, PA-based independent retailer has grown to 10 stores in Central Pennsylvania. The retailer currently employs more than 1,200 associates and serves approximately 100,000 customers per week.
Earlier this year, the company, which was founded in 1959, passed the leadership torch to a third generation – Karns’ daughter Andrea was named CEO, and his nephew Mat Rudderow was elevated to president with Scott Karns becoming chairman of the board.
Karns and his team have capitalized on the advantages of being a locally-owned and operated business by utilizing the unique opportunity to cater directly to their customers’ needs. Additionally, Karns has earned the reputation of being the premier meat and seafood supermarket in the greater Harrisburg area.
Previous winners of the “Manos” award include last year’s winner, Jim Perkins of Albertsons; John Ruane and Nicholas Bertram, The Giant Company; Jeff Brown, Brown’s ShopRites; Ron Dennis, Farm Fresh; Benjy Green, B. Green & Co.; Ira Kress, Giant Food; Jim McCaffrey III, McCaffrey’s Markets; Fred Morganthall, Harris Teeter; Kurt Schertle, Weis Markets; Carl Schlicker, Ahold USA; Danny Wegman, Wegmans; the late Robert Weis, Weis Markets; and Bill White, Shoppers.
