Giant recognizes team members during annual business meeting
Giant celebrated the achievements of its team members at its annual business meeting held last week. The company granted 15 awards recognizing the recipients’ commitments to the company and their efforts to connect families for a better future.
“The dedication of our team members to serve our customers and our communities never wavers, as they continue to demonstrate every day how nimble, agile and resourceful they can be,” said John Ruane, interim president of Giant. “We celebrate and honor these outstanding leaders who are always eager to take care of each other, their customers, and their communities.”
The 2022 award recipients include:
Store of the Year is awarded to the store in each of the company’s operating divisions that best demonstrate operational excellence and lives the company’s values. In addition, the store must bring the values to life by actively engaging its customers and team members. In the Mid-Atlantic division, the Giant at 106 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, Pa., led by Hasija Hodzic and her store team, received the award. In the Greater Philadelphia division, the Giant at 4377 W. Swamp Road in Doylestown, Pa., led by Alan Carcifi and his store team, also received the award.
[Read more: Giant releases community impact report]
Category of the Year is awarded to a category team in both the fresh and center store divisions. Recipients must continuously enhance the customers’ shopping experience, actively seek ways to simplify processes, effectively generate incremental sales and profits and exemplify the “one team” attitude. In fresh, the poultry package team, led by Jim Brinser, category manager, was recognized; and the breakfast, baking and spice team, led by Jennifer Rush, category manager, was honored in center store.
Retail Team Member of the Year is awarded to a team member who consistently provides outstanding customer service, is always willing to support fellow team members and lives by the company’s values. Rachel Sell, store employee associate and floral lead at the Giant on 180 Upland Square Drive, Stowe, Pa., received the award.
Distribution Center Team Member of the Year is awarded to a team member who consistently provides leadership and support across all distribution areas, acts with a sense of urgency, and continuously finds new ways to elevate the brand and support the stores. Seybou Harouna Issifi, a trainer at the Perishable Distribution Center in Carlisle, Pa., received the award.
E-commerce Team Member of the Year recognizes a team member who consistently and enthusiastically provides leadership and support to keep up the momentum behind the company’s e-commerce operations. Ana Rodriguez, quality control/rotation clerk at the Lancaster, Pa.-based Giant Direct fulfillment center, was presented with the award.
Transportation Team Member of the Year recognizes a team member who consistently supports the business with their dedication and safe operating practices. It was awarded to Steven Kitner, a driver and a 14-year veteran of Giant.
Support Center Team Member of the Year was awarded to analyst and e-commerce specialist Bailey Lehman. This award recognizes one team member who consistently and emphatically provides leadership and support across all brand functions, acts with a sense of urgency and continuously finds new ways to elevate the brand and the support office in Carlisle, Pa.
Simplify Shopping is awarded to a team member who has created or exceptionally executed a simplified shopping experience for customers. Joseph Lacagnina, director of store format and integrity at the Giant support office in Carlisle, Pa., was honored.
[Read more: Giant, customers raise $1.3M to combat hunger]
Inspiring Fresh Ideas is awarded to a team member who has demonstrated courage to innovate and create value for customers. Peter Conklin, design manager at the support office located in Carlisle, Pa., was honored.
Creating Healthier Communities is awarded to a team member who has demonstrated connecting and innovating value with communities to help them be healthier and more sustainable. The award was presented to Holly Doan, manager of wellbeing activation at the support office located in Carlisle, Pa.
Grow Through New Opportunities was awarded to Robert Weber, store manager at the Giant at 5005 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, Pa. This award is presented to a team member who fosters and mentors others to grow in the organization.
Make a Difference is awarded to a team member who has volunteered and connected with a nonprofit organization to strengthen communities. Eric Johnson, store manager at the Giant on 4930 Edgmont Ave., Brookhaven, Pa., was honored.
Be You is awarded to a team member who demonstrates the value of care and creates an inclusive environment where they value all voices and a sense of belonging. The award was presented to A.J. Rollins, divisional human resource manager in Philadelphia, Pa.
The President’s Award, Giant’s highest honor and voted on by all of the company’s living past presidents, will be presented during a special 100th anniversary celebration later this year.