The National Grocers Association (NGA) has recognized Wakefern Food Corp.’s Lorelei Mottese with NGA’s highest award for government relations, the Clarence G. Adamy Great American Award. The award was presented to Mottese by NGA President and CEO Peter J. Larkin and NGA VP of Public Affairs Greg Ferrara at Wakefern’s annual shareholders’ meeting, held Thursday in East Brunswick, New Jersey.
“In her 15 years at Wakefern, Lorelei has been a leading advocate for independent grocers,” said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of NGA. “She is a fierce protector of Wakefern and its members and a stalwart advocate for the supermarket industry.”
Added Joe Sheridan, Wakefern president and COO, “Lorelei understands the complex regulatory environment and makes sure that our company never has a blind spot. Her background in public service and knowledge of government have made her a great advocate for Wakefern and the stores that operate under our retail banners, ShopRite, Price Rite and The Fresh Grocer. She is passionate about protecting our members and our industry.”
Mottese is the director of government relations for Wakefern Food Corp. She joined the company in March 2000 after an extensive career in the public sector. Mottese has led major legislative campaigns on the federal and state levels of government. Mottese has served as a councilwoman and mayor in her native Lincoln Park, New Jersey, and as an economic development director for an Urban Enterprise Zone. In addition to her role at Wakefern, Mottese serves as chair of NGA’s government relations committee and is a member of the Women Grocers of America’s board of directors.
Initiated in 1982, the Clarence G. Adamy Great American Award is NGA’s most distinguished government relations award that is presented to a person or company whose leadership in the food industry best exemplifies active and effective participation in government relations as a citizen and industry representative. The award’s namesake, Clarence Adamy, was a past president of the National Association of Food Chains and was active in public and government affairs, having served as patronage chief and personnel director of the Republican National Committee during the Eisenhower years.
