Rebecca Lupfer, The Giant Company’s (TGC) chief merchant, has received the “President’s Award,” the regional chain’s highest individual honor.
She was one of 25 TGC associates who were honored at the merchant’s annual business meeting held late last month at the company’s corporate headquarters in Carlisle, PA.
Winners of the annual awards are recognized for their commitment to outstanding performance and leadership while embodying the company’s purpose, values, and team and customer promises.
“Each team member and store team recognized this year illustrates their dedication every day to exceeding our customers’ expectations no matter where, when or how they need us,” said John Ruane, president. “In addition to lending a hand to our customers, these team members also serve as best-in-class examples for their fellow colleagues – eager to take care of each other and the communities we serve.”
Lupfer, who has been with TGC since 2018 (and was previously with then-parent company Ahold USA since 2005), has advanced rapidly through TGC’s management ranks. She joined the Ahold Delhaize USA brand seven years ago as director of merchandise planning. Since then, she has been promoted to VP-center store merchandising, VP-Mid-Atlantic division, and chief financial officer before her promotion to senior VP and chief merchandising officer last year.
The President’s Award recognizes the individual who consistently delivers exceptional performance, contributes to the organization’s success in countless ways, is a role model for the company’s values, and brings the company’s purpose to life in all that they do.
“It’s an honor to recognize Rebecca with this year’s President’s Award,” added Ruane. “Rebecca’s handprints and impact can be found across The Giant Company. With her vast experience spanning two-plus decades, it’s no wonder Rebecca is a trusted resource for so many across The Giant Company. Yet despite her unmatched level of expertise, she is an avid student on a quest for self-improvement, pushing herself to learn and grow. As noteworthy and numerous as her accomplishments are, it’s how she goes about her work that sets Rebecca apart. She is the kind of leader everyone should be fortunate enough to work for and learn from.”
Awards were presented for stores of the year – supermarkets that best demonstrate operational excellence and lives the company’s values, bringing them to life by actively engaging its customers and team members – in each of the company’s two operating divisions.
In the Mid-Atlantic division, the Giant at 850 East Main Street in Ephrata, PA led by Sherry Beitler and her team; and in the Greater Philadelphia division, the Giant at 173 Holly Road in Gilbertsville, PA led by Brenda Brown and her team were recognized.
Category of the Year was awarded to a category team in both the fresh and center store divisions that continuously find ways to enhance the customers’ shopping experience, actively seeks ways to simplify processes, effectively generates incremental sales and profits, and exemplifies the “one team” attitude. In fresh, the bakery team led by category manager Taneya Clark was recognized and the health and beauty care team led by category manager Kerri Quigley was honored in center store.
Retail Team Member of the Year was awarded to a team member from each division who consistently provides outstanding customer service, is always willing to support fellow team members, and lives by the company’s values. In the Mid-Atlantic division, deli associate Wendy “Chili” Beckner from the Giant at 455 Eisenhower Dr. in Hanover, PA was recognized, and in the Greater Philadelphia division, produce manager Ronnie Bari at the Giant at 141 E. Swedesford Rd. in Exton, PA was honored.
Distribution Center Team Member of the Year, which is awarded to a team member who consistently provides leadership and support across all areas in distribution, acting with a sense of urgency, and continuously finding new ways to elevate the brand and support the stores, was presented to Steve Simpson, selector.
Transportation Team Member of the Year, which is awarded to a team member who consistently supports the business with their dedication and safe operating practices, was presented to Michael Weaver, driver.
Support Center Team Members of the Year are awarded to team members in five distinctive departments of the support center operations who consistently and emphatically provide leadership across all functions of the brand, acting with a sense of urgency and continuously finding new ways to elevate the brand. This year’s honorees included:
Commercial Team Member of the Year – Steve Allison, VP-center store, who was recently promoted from director o category manager
Greater Finance Team Member of the Year – Kyle Taylor, analyst, business intelligence,
HR Team Member of the Year – Josh Hudock, human resources business partner,
Store Support Team Member of the Year – Justin Hadwin, director of store support,
Marketing Team Member of the Year – Robert Welsh, director of brand and creative.
Living Our Customer Promises Award, which honors a team member that emulates what it means to support The Giant Company’s customer promises – simplify shopping, inspire fresh ideas, and create healthier communities – was presented to Phyllis Smith, customer service specialist.
Living Our Team Member Promises Award, which honors a team member that demonstrates all three team member promises – grow through new opportunities, make a difference, and be you – was presented to Morgan Shreiber, director of distribution operations.
Top Associate Engagement Score is awarded to the store in each of the company’s operating divisions that achieved the highest score in the annual associate engagement survey.
Winners by division were: in the Mid-Atlantic, the Giant at 200 S. Dorcas St. in Lewistown, PA managed by Raymond Vogt; in the Greater Philadelphia division, in a three-way tie, were Giant stores located at 300 Lincoln Ave. in East Stroudsburg managed by Michael Corrigan, 2670 Egypt Rd. in Norristown, PA managed by Kevin Walsh, and a Giant Heirloom Market at 1004 N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia managed by Ron Sirak (one of four awards he earned this year).
The store in each of the company’s operating divisions that saw the largest point increase in the annual associate engagement survey were: in the Mid-Atlantic division, the Giant at 360 S. 2nd St. in McConnellsburg, PA managed by Lindsay Thompson; and in the Greater Philadelphia region, the Giant Heirloom Market at 1004 N. 2nd St. managed by Sirak.
Top Net Promoter Score is presented to the store in each of the operating regions that achieved the highest customer satisfaction score. In the Mid-Atlantic division it was a tie between the Giant at 1241 Blakeslee Blvd. in Lehighton, PA managed by Michelle Rex and the Martin’s at 1000 Logan Blvd. in Altoona, PA managed by Paula Lingenfelter; in the Greater Philadelphia region, there was a tie between the Giant at 200 Town Center in New Britain managed by Leah Marsland and the Giant Heirloom Market at 1004 N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia manager by the popular Sirak.
Most Improved Net Promoter Score recognizes the store in each operating division that saw the highest point increase in its net promoter score. In the Mid-Atlantic division, the winner was the Giant at 3985 Columbia Ave. in Columbia PA managed by Mark Miller; in Greater Philadelphia it was the Giant Heirloom Market at N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia, managed by Sirak.
