Two Industry Veterans to be Inducted Into CGAEF Hall of Achievement

Bruce Everette, EVP of retail operations at Safeway Inc., and Dave Jones, VP of industry initiatives at The Kellogg Co., will be inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) Hall of Achievement on Thursday, Oct. 18, at the San Ramon Marriott Hotel in San Ramon, Calif.

The foundation’s Hall of Achievement was created in 1993, and recognizes California grocery retailers and suppliers who have contributed substantially to the advancement of the grocery industry.

“We are very excited to welcome these two deserving individuals into our prestigious Hall of Achievement during the foundation’s 20th anniversary,” said CGAEF President Ronald Fong. “Both have served the grocery industry their entire professional careers and like their Hall of Achievement peers have given back generously to the communities and industry they serve.”

Bruce Everette, Safeway Inc.

Bruce Everette

One of Safeway’s most experienced, well-traveled executives, Bruce Everette began his career in 1968 as a part-time courtesy clerk while attending school in Richmond, Va. He subsequently advanced through the retail ranks as director of bakery and deli and then GM of the company’s former Drugs For Less operation.Everette has held the position of division president for both Arizona and Northern California markets. He has served as interim president of Randall’s and Thom Thumb in Texas and Dominick’s in Chicago. He was designated an EVP in 2001, and currently is responsible for retail operations of Safeway Inc.’s 10 divisions and more than 1,700 stores.

Everette has a long history of service to the grocery industry. He has served on numerous advisory boards and association committees including the Western Association of Food Chains Board of Directors. He serves on the boards of directors for Easter Seals, City of Hope, and Muscular Dystrophy Association. Everette also is a member of the executive leadership team for the American Heart Association, has served on the advisory council for Saint Mary’s College, and actively supports various nonprofit organizations including the Salvation Army, Boys and Girl Scouts, and several local food banks.

Dave Jones, Kellogg Co.

Dave Jones

Dave Jones joined the Kellogg Co. in 1986 as a sales representative in Tulsa, Okla. He has held a number of field assignments in Springfield, Mo., Grand Rapids, Mich., and Bedford, N.H. In 1994, he was promoted to director of contracted sales in Battle Creek, Mich. In 1997, he was promoted to director of team sales for the northeast region in Princeton, N.J.

He was named director of retail sales in 2000 in Dallas, Texas and, in 2004, was promoted to senior director of business development and sales operations in Battle Creek. He has been in his current role as VP of industry initiatives since 2006.

Jones currently serves on the following boards of directors: FMI Educational Foundation, California Grocers Association, National Grocers Association, National Frozen & Refrigerated Association, Saint Joseph’s and Western Michigan University’s Food Marketing Program, Global Market Development Center (GMDC), and Food for All. He is chair of the FMI Meetings and Conferences Committee, in association with the FMI Industry Collaboration Council, chair of the WMU Advisory Board, and serves on the CGA Executive Committee.

Proceeds from the October event will help fund the foundation’s college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs. For the 2012-13 program year, the foundation awarded 275 scholarships totaling $328,250. It also disbursed more than $68,000 in tuition reimbursement.

“The foundation appreciates the tremendous support it received from the grocery industry over the last 20 years,” said Shiloh London, executive director of the CGA Educational Foundation. “Their generous donations allow the foundation to achieve its mission of advancing the grocery industry through employee education, college scholarships and industry research projects.”

The CGA Educational Foundation was created under the direction of the California Grocers Association

Board of Directors in 1992 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to advance the educational goals of CGA member company employees and their dependents and offer educational programs to advance the grocery industry.