WGA 2018 Review

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wisconsingrocers.com | Year End Review Issue 2018 2

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2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 3

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2018 Year End Review Issue

WGA Board of Directors Advertisers THE PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE 7
Acuity insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 34 9
Chair Jeff Maurer Albert’s Fresh Produce. . . . . . . . . . . 34 Making Sense of the 2018 Elections
Maurer’s Market, Wisconsin Dells, WI App Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 35
Arctic Glacier Ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Vice Chair Greg Hansen Associated Wholesale
Hansen’s IGA, Bangor, WI Grocers, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Election 2018: New Faces
Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Secretary/Treasurer Clutch Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 35 WGA BUSINESS PARTNERS 11
Michelle Harrington Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin . . . . . . 16
Albrecht’s Delafield Market, DBS Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2018 SUPERPOSTER 12
Delafield, WI Go Social Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Gumz Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 39 2018 INNOVATION EXPO RECAP: 15
Immediate Past Chairman H Brooks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Marlin Greenfield, H. T. Hackney Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 35 Connections, Cakes, and Camaraderie
Skogen’s Festival Foods KeHE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Kemps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 2018 FRIEND OF GROCER AWARDS 21
Greg Cross Lipari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SpartanNash, St. Cloud, MN LogSafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 YEAR END REVIEW 24
Movita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 35
Bob Fleming Old Dutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 MEMBER SERVICE UPDATE 27
Fox Run Sentry, Waukesha, WI Premier Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 28
Professional Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 My Top Three Lists for 2018
Jim Hyland Russ Davis Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 33
Roundy’s/Pick ‘n Save, Shullsburg Creamery . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 COMMUNICATIONS
Milwaukee, WI Sparboe Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
SpartanNash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 EVENTS
Bob Jaskolski, T.A. Solberg, Inc., SuperValu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Minocqua, WI Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp.. . . . . . . . 22 Save the Dates
Zone Mechanical North, Inc.. . . . . . 34
Steve Loehr Kwik Trip, La Crosse, WI ZT Distribution, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 34, 39 FOUNDATION

Jeff McClure Wisconsin Grocers Leadership Institute Graduates
SuperValu, Green Bay,WI Association
MEMBER EVENTS AND 36
Rick Roth is now at HAPPENINGS 40-41
Great Lakes Coca-Cola, Plover, WI
10 West Mifflin Streen, PROFESSIONAL CARDS
Robert Rothove Associated Suite 205
Wholesale Grocers, Kenosha, WI
Madison, WI 53703
Dave Ryman
Certco, Madison, WI

Toby Spangler
Diageo, Madison, WI

Dave Spiegelhoff
Gooseberries, Burlington, WI

Don Symonds
Lipari Foods, Warren, MI

Jeff Tate Watertown Piggly Wiggly,
Watertown, WI

Dan Williamson
Kemps, Cedarburg, WI

Deb Yerkes
Zone Mechanical North, Alsip, IL

WGA Staff

President/CEO
Brandon Scholz

Executive Vice President
Michelle Kussow

Events Director
Cheryl Lytle

Operations Director
Sarah Decorah

Member Service Representative
Mark Stellpflug

Executive Director,
WGA Education and Scholarship Foundation
Dave Kotwitz

Marketing Coordinator
Maddy Harrison

Please help us conserve resources. If you are receiving multiple copies or wish to be removed from this mailing list, please EDITORIAL INFORMATION: Publication dates; March, May, August, December. Please submit all press releases and stories to
call the WGA office at 888/342-5942. Brandon Scholz, Publisher, at the Wisconsin Grocers Association; toll free 888/342-5942; fax 608/244-9030. Wisconsin
Grocer magazine is designed by Lorraine Ortner-Blake, ortnerblake@gmail.com.
Wisconsin Grocer is published four times a year by:
Wisconsin Grocers Association, 10 W. Mifflin Street, Suite 205, Madison, WI 53703 • www.wisconsingrocers.com. ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Please submit all advertising material and questions to Cheryl Lytle, Wisconsin Grocers Association,
10 W. Mifflin Street, Suite 205, Madison, WI 53703, call 608/244-7150; fax 608/244-9030; email cheryl@wisconsingrocers.com.
Toll free 888/342-5942; fax 608/244-9030. Materials in this publication may not be reprinted in any form without permission
of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. The Wisconsin Grocer Magazine is printed at Thysse Printing, Oregon, Wisconsin.

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 5

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THE PRESIDENT’S
PERSPECTIVE

Brandon Scholz WGA President and CEO

Making Sense of the 2018 Elections

President Obama’s first term.) Paul Ryan Divided overregulate
who retired. their respective
Republicans actually gained a

When the results rolled couple of seats in the US Senate All the other government industries. As
in on election night, maintaining there majority. incumbents— is always more many WGA
regardless of members know,
Democrats cheered and What do these changes in
party—won challenging. WGA regulators and
cried and Republicans Washington mean for the reelection. members will inspectors can
have to step up wreak havoc
cried and cheered. And grocery biz in the Capitol? But there’s on businesses.
more to upset
some saw the results as Certainly, divided government

an opportunity. will slow any legislative

Huh? initiative to a crawl akin to a conventional and let the new In addition
death march. Only legislation mid-term Governor know to the massive
thinking. HR challenge
The 2018 midterm elections that benefits both parties and

weren’t really a surprise among isn’t controversial has a chance Republicans what is important to set up an

the political prognosticators, of reaching the President’s desk in the Assembly administration,
held 63 out of to their business the Governor-
strategists, and campaign for signature. And those will

wannabees who have too be relatively few opportunities. their 64 seats Elect has to

much time on their hands. Republicans who are supporters (Assembly total of 99) and write a $75 billion bi-annual

And for all the months of of the grocery industry are Senate Republicans actually state budget and has to

hype about the great Blue now in the minority and gained a seat to hold 19 of the include and fund his campaign

Wave that was going to sweep relationships with the new 33 State Senate seats. promises by mid-February

the country overturning and majority Democrats represent Republicans hold solid when he submits it to the

tossing our every Republican opportunities to help the majorities in both Houses Republican controlled

from office… ...well, the Blue industry. setting up a challenging legislature who will likely re-
well, the Blue
In Wisconsin, dynamic for the 2019-20 write it to their own accord.

Wave really Wave really election results legislative session. The when the legislature

turned out to turned out were different than What happens next and what passes the budget in June,
be a Blue Ripple. national trends. does it mean for Wisconsin’s the Governor will likely veto
grocers? sections he disagrees with.
In 2018, the to be a Blue While US Senator

results of the Ripple. Tammy Baldwin Governor-Elect Evers needs For Wisconsin grocers, we will
midterm elections easily cruised to to form his administration look to work with both parties
by appointing 18 Cabinet to secure the legislative
were about the reelection for a second term, Secretaries and the 36 initiatives the WGA Board of
Assistant and Deputy Directors will set for 2019-20.
same as previous year. Governor Scott Walker lost

The pendulum that swings by 30,000, and Attorney

back in forth in politics swung General Brad Schimel lost by Assistant Secretaries to run And, we’ll work with both
back and in the middle of the 17,000 votes. In fact, for the
swing, typical political state agencies, in addition sides to derail proposals which

adjustments were made. first time in decades, the to the hundreds of division are bad for business.

Democrats now own all five administrators and other Even though some of the
appointed positions (many players have changed, our
Typically in midterm of the statewide constitutional of which require Senate mission is still the same.
confirmation) needed to keep Divided government is always
elections, the party in power seats (Governor, Lieutenant government operating. All of more challenging. WGA
these appointees have to hit members will have to step
(who controls the White Governor, Attorney General, the ground running as there is up and let the new Governor
almost no learning-curve time. know what is important to
House and Congressional Treasurer, Secretary of State). their business and they will
The WGA will closely monitor have to reinforce that with
majorities) loses seats in However the headwind at Mr. Evers’ appointments and the local legislators.
Congress, statewide office the top of the ticket puckered scrutinize their backgrounds
holders, and state legislatures. out. Republicans held on to and management style as they
And that’s what happened. the hotly contested races in

Democrats took back control the 6th and 1st congressional

of the House of Representatives districts reelecting

with a net gain of 35+ seats. Congressman Glenn

(In 2010, the GOP won 63 Grothman and electing Bryan enter into positions of power Make sense? Then let the

seats midway through Steil to replace Congressman with the potential to games begin!

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 7

Government Affairs

By Election 2018
Michelle
Kussow
WGA Executive
Vice President

It was expected that Democrats could take Republican Travel Hartwig; and Democrat Democrat Caleb Frostman in Senate
control of the Senate and the Governor’s Doug LaFollette retained the position of District 1; Republican Dale Kooyenga
seat, and in the end Republicans maintained Secretary of State-which he has held since upsetting Democrat challenger Julie
a stronghold on the Assembly and Senate, 1982. Henszey in Senate District 5; and
and Democrats now control all of the Republican Kathleen Bernier beating
statewide constitutional offices. Regardless U.S. Senate & Congress Democrat Chris Kapsner in Senate
of whether it was a wave or a ripple, there District 23.
are still many significant changes. Incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator
Tammy Baldwin handily defeated Wisconsin State Assembly
Statewide Republican Leah Vukmir, as predicted.
Constitutional Offices Wisconsin’s congressional seats remain With a hefty 29-seat Republican majority
unchanged with the exception of in the Assembly, there was little doubt that
The past eight years with Scott Walker Republican Bryan Steil elected to the first Republicans would maintain control.
at the helm as Governor, and Congressional District to replace Paul Ryan. However, there were a handful of seats
Republicans controlling both houses, that were considered toss-ups which could
has brought many positive changes to Wisconsin State Senate have changed the makeup of control in the
the grocery industry including major tax Assembly. On election night, many went
repeals and numerous reductions in Going into the elections, Republicans in to bed thinking that the Republicans won
regulations. That era may have come to the Senate held an 18-15 majority, and all 64 seats previously held.
end on election night with Democrat Tony many had predicted that the Senate
Evers defeating Walker for Governor. In Republicans could lose two seats which However, a snafu in Assembly District 14
addition, Democrats took control of all would have turned control over to originally declared Republican Matt
statewide constitutional positions: Democrats. In the end, Republicans Adamczyk the winner until a discrepancy
Republican Attorney General Brad outperformed all expectations picking up was discovered giving Democrat Robyn
Schimel was defeated by Democrat Josh an additional seat and increasing their Vining the win. Republicans now control
Kaul; Democrat Sarah Godlewski defeated majority to 19-14. Key changes include: the Assembly 63-36.
Republican Andre Jacque defeating

New Faces 2018-2019

Statewide Offices Josh Kaul (D), Attorney General
Kaul most recently served as a federal
Tony Evers (D), Governor prosecutor in Baltimore.
Evers most recently served as the Wisconsin
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Prior to that, he came up through the ranks
of K-12 serving as a teacher and a principal.

Mandela Barnes (D), Lt. Governor Sarah Godlewski (D), State Treasurer
Barnes is a former Democratic member
of the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving Godlewski worked for the U.S. Department
from 2013 to 2017. of Defense before co-founding MaSa
Impact, a socially responsible investment
8 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com venture.

New Faces 2018-2019 continued

Congress Senate DISTRICT 62
Robert Wittke (R–Wind Point)
DISTRICT 1
Bryan Steil (R–Janesville) Wittke has over 35 years of experience in all aspects of
Steil is an attorney and recently worked for a corporate taxation. He currently works for a leading
manufacturing company. Steil also serves on the provider of tax compliance software products.
University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.
DISTRICT 68
Wisconsin State Assembly Jesse James (R–Altoona)

DISTRICT 2 James has served with the Altoona Police Department
Shae Sortwell (R–Gibson) since September 2001, as a part time officer, rising
Sortwell worked as a legislative aide in the State through the ranks to become Chief in 2013.
Capitol. He founded a pro-life student organization
while attending UW-Green Bay. DISTRICT 77
Sheila Stubbs (D–Beloit)
DISTRICT 9
Marisabel Cabrera (D–Milwaukee) Stubbs is a former probation and parole agent from
Madison, Wisconsin. She has been a member of the
Cabrera is a local entrepreneur, immigration attorney, and Dane County Board of Supervisors, representing a
mayoral appointee to the Fire and Police Commission. district on the south side of Madison for twelve years.

DISTRICT 12 DISTRICT 90
LaKeisha Myers (D–Milwaukee) Staush Gruszynski (D–Green Bay)

Dr. Myers is an educator with the Milwaukee Public Gruszynski is currently serving his third term as a
Schools. Previously, she served as an Education Director County Supervisor for District 5 on Green Bay’s
for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Eastside. Previously, he was employed with Wisconsin
League of Conservation Voters.
DISTRICT 14
Robyn Wining (D–Wauwatosa) DISTRICT 91
Jodi Emerson (D–Eau Claire)
Wining is an entrepreneur and small business owner.
She recently launched Folio MKE – a collaborative Emerson is the Director of Public Policy and
workspace/community centered on supporting young Community Relations for Fierce Freedom. She
female entrepreneurs and coaching them to use their also serves on the Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking
businesses to profit both themselves and the community. Task Force.

DISTRICT 16 DISTRICT 96
Kalan Haywood (D–Milwaukee) Loren Oldenburg (R–Viroqua)

Haywood served as Milwaukee’s Youth Council President Loren is a fourth- generation farmer who is proud
from 2015-2017. to farm the land of his great-grandfather between
Viroqua and Chaseburg.
DISTRICT 28
Gae Magnafici (R–Dresser) DISTRICT 5
Dale Kooyenga (R–Brookfield)
Magnafici has been a Registered Nurse for over 35
years and is a small business owner. Kooyenga is a CPA, a war veteran and a current
member of the U.S. Army Reserve. Previously, he
DISTRICT 38 served in the State Assembly and was a member
Barbara Dittrich (R–Oconomowac) of the Joint Committee on Finance.

Dittrich worked in the investment industry for 13 years DISTRICT 23
and then founded a charitable non-profit serving the Kathleen Bernier (R–Chippewa Falls)
parents of children with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
Bernier is a former Chippewa County Clerk and
DISTRICT 50 Village Trustee for Lake Hallie. Most recently,
Tony Kurtz (R–Wonewoc) she served in the State Assembly and Chaired
the Campaigns and Elections Committee.
Kurtz owns a 230-acre organic farm. He served more
than 20 years in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot DISTRICT 31
and crash scene investigator. Jeffrey Smith (D–Eau Claire)

DISTRICT 59 Smith represented District 93 in the Wisconsin
Timothy Ramthun (R–Kewaskum) State Assembly from 2007 to 2010. He served as
the Town Chair of Brunswick from 2001 to 2007.
Ramthun has worked in service delivery and has also
owned and operated a small family business for five years.

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 9

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WGA WGA

BUSINESS
PARTNER

Business

Partners

WGA Business Partners support
the WGA to interact in WGA
events, sponsorships, and
advertising to strategically
promote their products and
services to WGA Members.

Buy.
Earn.
Redeem.

DBS ROUP

Design-Build Solutions

Advertise in the The Wisconsin Grocer magazine is
Wisconsin Grocer distributed to over 800 Wisconsin
Grocers Association members
to expand your including independent retailers,
company’s brand corporate store managers, distribution centers,
brokers, vendors and more!
awareness to
retail grocers

throughout
Wisconsin.

Contact Cheryl Lytle at (888) 342-5942 x3 or
Cheryl@WisconsinGrocers.com.

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 11

Order Your Be compliant with state and federal posting requirements.

Get the WGA Superposter.
NEW UPDATED
2019 Superposter!

Incorporating 21 required postings!

Wisconsin State Required Postings Federal Required Postings Limited
13. Employee Polygraph Notice Quantities
1. Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits 14. Family Medical Leave Act Available!
2. Notification for Cessation of Health Care 15. Federal Minimum Wage
16. Disability Special Wage
Benefits 17. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
3. Wisconsin Fair Employment Law 18. EEO Supplement
4. Wisconsin Family & Medical Leave Act 19. USERRA Rights
5. Hours & Times for Minors in Wisconsin 20. Employee Rights Under the National Labor
6. Employee Rights Under Business Closings Relations Act
7. Employee Protection Against Use of Honesty
OSHA
Testing 21. Job Safety and Health
8. Wisconsin Minimum Wage Rates
9. Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Order today.
10. Public Employee Safety & Health
11. Disability Special Wage
12. Wisconsin Bone Marrow/Organ Donation

Leave

$20 each for orders under 10 posters, $12.50 each for quantities of 10 or more posters.

Fax your order to 608.244.9030, mail to WGA, 10 W. Mifflin Street, Suite 205 Madison, WI 53703 or email: sdecorah@wisconsingrocers.com.

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2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 13

“We had a wonderful time at the
WGA Innovation Expo again this year.
Thank you for allowing us to be a
part.”

Matt Selvig, Bernatello’s Foods

“We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and thought
it was very beneficial to be in attendance,
display and support your organization.”
Craig Diepenhorst,
The H.T. Hackney Co.

14 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

2018 Innovation Innovation

Cakes, aCnondnCecatimonasr,aderieExpo Recap:

A look back on all of the fun that was had at the
2018 Innovation Expo.

Written exclusively for the Wisconsin Grocer
by Kat Boogaard

And, just like that, the 2018 Innovation Expo has come and Joe Kiedinger. Joe revealed positive dignity traits that motivate
gone. We had a phenomenal time at the KI Convention Center and inspire people and gave us an understanding of the top five
in Green Bay on October 16 and 17, with more than 300 traits that change everything!
retailers in attendance.
FROM EVALUATIONS
“Out of all the shows we do across the Midwest, this is
by far the best-attended show by retailers,” explains “This information is priceless and necessary! Relationships/
Don Symonds, WGA Board Member and Director of people matter under circumstances in business—
Trade Events and Relations at Lipari Foods. FABULOUS!”

There was definitely no shortage of industry conversation, great “One of the best speakers I have ever been to and I have
education, and—of course—fun, and we’re thrilled to be able to been to a lot of different meetings!”
share some highlights from the Expo with you here.
“As a learning leader, this was very helpful.”
An Emphasis on Learning
Kevin Coupe, The Content Guy, and author of the Morning News
This year’s Expo featured plenty of seminars on relevant and timely Beat, was our industry keynote speaker and presented Retailer
topics, including active shooter training, working with and leading 2020: What’s The Future (WTF). Coupe lays out a road map for
millennials with dignity-based communication, and updates on the future that focuses on differential advantages and disruptive
some of the issues facing the grocery industry as a whole. mindsets, using real-world examples that can be adopted and
executed by enterprising and innovative leaders.
“We participated in all of the seminars and I thought
that these were some of the best seminars that WGA FROM AN EVALUATION
ever put on,” shares Jeff Tate, WGA Board Member
and owner of two Piggly Wiggly stores in Waterloo and “It was a good scope into the future of how people shop ...
Watertown, who has been attending the Expo for about I enjoyed the movie references and pictures of places around
14 years.“The speakers that they had and seminars they put on the states.”
were outstanding.”
Finally, we were privileged to have NGA President,
The Tuesday afternoon educational programs included Active Peter Larkin, speak at the Expo on Trends and
Shooter and an Active Shooter Grocers Panel that proved you Disruptions in the Supermarket Industry and
cannot keep your head in the sand on this issue. Beyond.

FROM AN EVALUATION Plenty of Industry Connections

“Small town. Small store. That won't happen to us thinking. Of course, all of the learning
Eye opener—we will take this to the next level and get some doesn’t happen in a formal
policies in place tomorrow.” environment. In fact, attendees
often learn the most from each
WGA also turned the tables on retailers at the Grocery Round other—by engaging in casual
Tables that opened the dialog up to attendees to share lessons and conversations about successes
tips they have on three topics: Hiring & Retaining Employees, and challenges within their own
Social Media, and Buying Local. stores.

Wednesday morning opened with Dignity in the Workplace by At this year’s Expo, the Expo
aimed to facilitate more of that

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 15

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2018 Innovation Expo Recap An Over-the-Top businesses—from an educational standpoint
and a product standpoint, as well as
conversation by hosting grocer roundtables Trade Show relationships with our vendors,” adds Tate
between WGA members. During these about his own experience at the trade show.
grocer-led discussions, attendees were able Much of the connecting between vendors and
to share stories and swap best practices on retailers happens on the trade show floor, as it Many retailers and vendors alike commented
various topics including digital media, hiring presents a chance for them to converse and that they appreciate that the Expo dedicates a
and retaining employees, and buying local. forge beneficial relationships in a low-pressure significant portion of the schedule to the trade
environment—an opportunity that doesn’t go show, as that gives them an adequate chance
But, there’s really no replacement for the unappreciated on either side. to peruse the more than 141 trade show
organic connections attendees form at events booths and have meaningful conversations
like the Innovation Happy Hour and the “We go to some states and have to travel the with each other—without feeling like they
Chairman’s Reception and Awards Banquet, whole state just to see all the retailers,” says need to rush.
as well as on the trade show floor. Symonds of Lipari Foods, who had 30 booths
at the trade show, “The Wisconsin Grocers Even if you aren’t someone who’s heading into
“I would use the word ‘connecting,’” shares Association has the ability to bring Wisconsin the trade show looking for something in
Tate when asked about his favorite part of retailers together and we get to see them all in particular, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.
the Expo, “It’s such a great opportunity for one spot.” From the abundance of delicious samples to
connecting with the vendors, connecting the games at different booths to the extra
with other retailers, and connecting with “There isn’t high pressure to purchase, yet perks like Trade Show Bingo and Trade Show
our industry as a whole.” we’re able to get a lot of new ideas and a lot of Cash, it’s certainly not a boring show floor.
new things that we can take back to our

“The Wisconsin Grocers
Association Innovation
Expo raises the bar and
sets a new standard of
excellence for Association
Trade events.”

Don Symonds,
Lipari

“As new members of the
WGA we were greeted
with open arms and felt
very welcome. We
already found new
partners to work with!”

Kristen Monroe,
Premier Outdoors

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 17

2018 Innovation Expo Recap room is just phenomenal. The cheering, the 2018 Great Wisconsin
yelling, and the coaching of all the people Bag Off Winners
Tons of Bag-Off Fun bagging is just so much fun.”
1st Place
Without a doubt, one of the biggest hits of This year, we had 21 bagging contestants WINNER Jennifer Neubaurer, Stoneridge
the Innovation Expo is always the Great from 21 different stores across the state. Piggly Wiggly
Wisconsin Bag-Off contest. It’s a lively Jennifer Neubauer, Stoneridge Piggly
atmosphere with high-energy music, beach Piggly, was this year’s winner, taking home 2nd Place
balls bouncing around in the crowd, and $500 and a trip to San Diego to bag his/her WINNER Nick Bartholf, Metcalfe’s Market
signs and t-shirts to show support for the way to the top at the National Grocers Wauwatosa
baggers. Convention.
3rd Place
“That is just so much fun seeing the young WINNER Ava Allred, Festival Foods, Somer
folks get up there and bag those groceries,”
says Symonds, “The excitement in the

“Once again the WGA EXPO
was an exceptional event.
There truly is no better way
to connect with progressive
grocers....”

Greg, BPI Color

18 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

Have Your Cake “I thought the cake competition was just a 3D Shaped/Sculpted Cakes
really neat thing to do and those cakes were
and Eat it Too amazing,” shares Tate. Christine Peplinski, Trig’s Stevens Point

New this year was our partnership with the Every cake was a winner in our eyes. See Needless to say, the contest
Wisconsin Bakers Association to host the the full list of winners below. The Grand was a hit and we’re looking
Creative Cake Competition. Bakers entered Champions were: forward to continuing this
Halloween-themed cakes in two partnership for future
categories—a sheet cake or a dimensional 2D Sheet Cakes Expos. In our opinion,
cake—and we were simply astounded at Kristie Whitney, Trig’s Minocqua there’s no such thing as
what they were able to produce. too much cake!

HALLO EEN THE ED! Wisconsin’s Cake Decorating
W M

Championship Winners

2D Sheet Cake – Grand Professional
Grocery & In-store Bakeries Champion Division
Award of
Student/ WINNER
Beginner Division Achievement
Kristie
Award of Whitney, WINNER
Excellence
Trig’s, Dawn Drager,
WINNER Minoqua Webster’s

Heather People’s Marketplace
Biederman, Choice
Miller & Sons Award of
Supermarket WINNER Distinction &
People’s Choice
Professional Jaime HIsel,
Division Metcalfe’s WINNER
Market
Award of Sarah Drew,
Achievement 3D Shaped/Sculpted Cakes – Metcalfe’s Market
Grocery & In-store Bakeries
WINNER Award of
Student/Beginner Excellence
Sara Woulers, Division
Stoneridge Award of WINNER

Piggly Wiggly, Achievement Michelle
Kaukauna Bellows,
WINNER Stinebrink’s
Award of Piggly Wiggly
Distinction Carly Stelter,
Gooseberries Reserve
WINNER Fresh Food Champion

Stacy Gasper, Market WINNER
Malicki’s Piggly
Award of Desiree Horan,
Wiggly Distinction Dick’s Family
Foods
Award of WINNER
Excellence Grand
Heather Champion
WINNER Biederman,
Miller & Sons WINNER
Doreen Fischer, Supermarket
Stoneridge Christine
Award of Peplinski,
Piggly Wiggly, Excellence
Little Chute Trig’s,
WINNER Stevens Point
Reserve
Champion Kayla Gies,
Fox’s Piggly
WINNER
Wiggly
Tammy
Goodrich, Trig’s,

Rhinelander

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 19

Excellence in Community Grocer of the Year Community
Operations Service David Spiegelhoff Service
Tim Plevak
Trig’s, Wausau Doug Kulinski Gooseberries Fresh Food Market Scott Richter &
Iola Sentry Sue Huber

Richter’s Marketplace,

Burlington

Excellence in Vendor of the Year Excellence in Operations
Operations Mehmert Store Services Greg, Kari & Nick Hansen
Paul Godin Hansen’s IGA

Godin’s Piggly Wiggly,
Mequon

Heartfelt Grocer of the Year: David Spiegelhoff, Greg, Kari, and Nick Hansen,
Gooseberries Fresh Food Market Hansen’s IGA
Recognition
Vendor of the Year: Mehmert Store Community Service:
The Chairman’s Reception and Awards Services, Pewaukee Scott Richter and Sue Huber,
Banquet is our opportunity to recognize Richter’s Marketplace
that year’s award winners and celebrate the Excellence in Operations:
industry. The following people were Tim Plevak, Store Director at Trig’s Doug Kulinski, Iola Sentry
honored for doing great work and Wausau
advancing the grocery industry as a whole: Congratulations to all of this year’s award
Paul Godin, Godin’s Piggly Wiggly in recipients! We can’t wait to continue to
Mequon recognize more great work throughout the
industry at next year’s Expo.

Thank You, Retailers

All-Star Lineup! Andy Anundson Ted Balistreri Pat Fox Greg Hansen Mark Skogen
Procurement Director- Owner-Sendik’s Owner-Fox Bros. Owner-Hansen’s CEO-Skogen’s
The WGA Political Action Committee (PAC) NETWORKING Woodman’s Markets Food Market Piggly Wiggly Festival Foods
IGA
sponsored an All-Star Networking event at
the WGA Expo that allowed five vendors to meet with an all-star five minutes each. All participants said the time went extremely fast but they
retail line-up that included: Greg Hansen, Hansen's IGA; Ted appreciated the opportunity and look forward to building on these new
Balistreri, Sendik's Markets; Andy Anundson, Woodman’s; Pat professional relationships. Vendors that participated were: Craig
Fox, Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly; and Mark Skogen, Festival Foods. Diepenhorst, H.T. Hackney; Robert Tsuchiyama, Bemis Retail Solutions;
Stacy Wand, Prairie Farms; Paul Rademacher, Logsafe Compliance; and
Three vendors were selected from high bids on a silent Scott Schaeppi, Albert’s Organics/UNFI.
auction and two vendors were drawn from a raffle based on
contributions made to the PAC. Each vendor then had the
opportunity to meet with the all-star retailers individually for

20 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

Acuity Ipad Winner Future Leaders Winner FMI Day in DC Winner Bingo Card Winner Lori Trade Show Cash Winner
Mike Tadych Mike Jankovich Michelle Harrington Burns Jane Schaefer

2018 Expo Prize Winners

Acuity Ipad FMI Day In $1,000 $250 Bingo Card
Giveaway Washington Bingo Card
WINNER Jeremy Schouten,
WINNER Mike Tadych, WINNER Michelle Harrington, WINNER Lori Burns, Webster’s Marketplace
Tadych Econofoods Delafield Sentry T.A. Solberg
SPONSORS Vendors on card SPONSORS Vendors on card
SPONSOR Acuity Insurance SPONSOR PAC
Paid Trip to D.C. $250 Bingo Card WGA
FMI Future Innovation
Leaders 2019 NGA Show WINNER Kevin Grunewald, Expo 2019
Tadych’s Econofoods
WINNER Mike Jankovich, WINNER Sam Northup, SPONSORS Vendors on card WINNER Jeremy Schouten,
Supervalu Main St. Market Webster’s Marketplace

SPONSOR FMI SPONSOR NGA SPONSOR WGA
2 Registration Passes 2 Registration Passes 2 Registration Passes

We’ll See You make it the astounding event that it is. the 2019 Innovation Expo on October 1
and 2 at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.
Next Year! “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have a We promise, it’s more than worth your time
job that allows me to work with all of these and energy.
We’ll tell you one thing: recapping this amazing people,” Brandon Scholz,
year’s Innovation Expo has us all the more President and CEO of the Wisconsin “It’s fun, it’s educational, and it’s everything
excited for next year’s event. If there’s one Grocers Association said at the Expo, any retailer could want all rolled into a
thing we know for sure, it’s that all of the “They’re all simply the best.” couple days,” concludes Symonds, “It’s
events help to make the Expo run, but it’s really just a fabulous event.”
really the amazing people like you who So, go ahead and mark your calendars for

Thank You, Diamond Sponsors

ED WHOLESALE

A S S OCIAT
D
GROCERS
E

R
TAIL E R E
OWN

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 21

2018 Friend of Grocer Awards

The following legislators received an “A” on the WGA’s Legislative Report Card
and were presented with the WGA Friend of Grocer Award.

Legislators are graded, based on action specific
to key WGA legislative issues. Points are given to
an individual for introducing or voting in favor
of legislation that WGA supports, and
transversely points are taken away for supporting
legislation that WGA opposes.

Extra points are given for introducing pro-WGA amendments,
speaking for or against proposals of interest, committee action,
attending/speaking at WGA’s Grocers in the Capitol Day, and
general support of the WGA’s issues.

Four legislators were singled out as legislative heroes for their work on the personal Rep. Ballweg
property tax this session. These legislators were presented with the Friend of Grocer (R-Markesan) at
award at a special ceremony during the 2018 WGA Grocers in the Capitol Day. Webster’s Marketplace
in Ripon.
Rep. Kulp (R-Stratford)
was presented the award by Rep. Born
Steve Burkhardt, Skogen’s (R-Beaver Dam) at
Festival Foods. Rechek’s Food Pride in
Beaver Dam.
Rep. Knodl (R-Germantown)
was presented the award by Rep. Jagler
Steve Loehr, Kwik Trip. (R-Watertown) at Tate’s
Piggly Wiggly in
Sen. Stroebel (R-Saukville) Watertown.
was presented the award by
Jim Hyland, Roundy’s/Kroger. Rep. Kooyenga
(R-Brookfield) at Pick’n
Senator Howard Marklein Save in Brookfield.
(R-Spring Green) was presented
the award by Jeff Basting, Point Rep. Krug (R-Nekoosa)
Foods in Mineral Point. at StoneRidge Piggly
Wiggly in Wautoma.
Rep. August (R-Lake Geneva) at Steinbrink’s Piggly Wiggly in Lake Geneva. (No photo
available.) Two legislators have not yet received their Friend of Gro cers award: Rep.
Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) and Senator Dave Craig (R-Town of Vernon).

22 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

Rep. Kuglitsch Senator Darling (R-River
(R-New Berlin) at Hills) at Godin’s Piggly
Sendik’s in Greenfield. Wiggly in Mequon.

Rep. Loudenbeck Senator Fitzgerald
(R-Clinton) at Frank’s (R-Juneau) at Mountin’s
Piggly Wiggly in Elkhorn. Piggly Wiggly in Mayville.

Rep. Neylon (R-Pewaukee) Senator Cowles
at Meijer in Sussex. (R-Green Bay) at Webster
Avenue Market in Green Bay.
Rep. Nygren
(R-Marinette) at Festival Senator Feyen
Foods in Suamico. (R-Fond du Lac) at Red’s
Piggly Wiggly in Omro.
Rep. Spiros
(R-Marshfield) at Lee’s Senator Kapenga
Piggly Wiggly in Mosinee. (R-Delafield) at Fox Run
Sentry in Waukesha.
Rep. Steineke
(R-Kaukauna) at Senator Roth
Stoneridge Piggly Wiggly (R-Appleton) at
in Kaukauna. Festival Foods in Neenah.

Rep. Tauchen (R-Bonduel) Senator Tiffany
at Tadych’s Econofoods in (R-Hazelhurst) at
Clintonville. Trig’s Food
in Minocqua.
Rep. Tittl (R-Manitowoc) at
Festival Foods in Speaker Vos (R-Rochester)
Manitowoc. at Richter’s Marketplace in
Burlington.

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 23

MEMBER SERVICE UPDATE

My Top Three Lists for 2018

Mark Stellpflug My hope is that you availed retained by a very different set of Member Service
WGA Member incentives. If you are still in the Wrap-up
Service Representative yourself the opportunity to dark regarding this changing
dynamic, it’s probably because you I have been your Member Service
attend this year’s WGA did not attend these seminars. Representative for four years, and
can honestly say I never tire of
Innovation Expo in Green Bay as 2. Networking visiting stores, and interacting with
you. From January to October of
it was a good one! Something new at this year’s Expo 2018 I visited nearly 160 stores
was the Grocers Roundtable. Have throughout the state. I never fail to
At a quick glance one might say it you ever wished you had the be amazed by the variety and
was just like all past Expos with opportunity to simply sit in a innovation I encounter in stores. I
seminars, speakers, award small break-out group with other am also encouraged by the level of
presentations, the bag off, and the retailers and talk about what professionalism and commitment
trade show, but upon a closer look works and doesn’t work in the owners and managers display as they
you will find much more! areas of hiring, employee benefits, go about the business of running
bonuses, incentives, digital media, their store.
Here are my top three reasons and buying local? That’s just what
you should not have missed the took place at this year’s Expo. It I am often asked questions by
2018 Expo: was well received by the retailers owners about what I’m seeing as I
that attended. visit stores. Some of the questions
1. Timely Seminars are what you might expect: How are
Additional networking sales? What’s the sales trend out
This year’s educational seminars opportunities took place there? Any ideas about how I can
throughout the Expo, including at attract some additional staff? What’s
offered attendees very timely and the Tuesday evening casual new out there? What’s the latest
reception, during meals, during gossip? Why did one operator fail in
pertinent information. The the Wednesday evening cocktail a particular town and another thrive
hour, on the Trade Show floor, in the same market?
possibility of an active shooter and continually throughout the
Expo. It’s this last question that I will focus
incident taking place in your store on for a bit as I work to wrap up
3. Awards this year-end review article. In
may be unlikely, but what if it did essence the question is: why does
As you well know, the demands of one store fail and another thrive
happen? Would you and your staff the grocery business can become a in similar size towns, in similar
grind at times, and it’s easy to lose size markets? I don’t pretend to
know how to respond? After the perspective in the midst of dealing know the definitive answer, but after
with a myriad of daily issues in spending most of my life in a
fact, as you took stock your store. Each year when I grocery store, and after visiting
attend WGA award ceremonies I almost 700 stores in the last four
Each year when I of the death and am reminded of the fact that years I do have an opinion. To share
attend WGA award injury that took place, retailers, management, and staff my thoughts with you I’ll rely once
ceremonies I am the lingering trauma do much more than just sell again on a top three list:
reminded of the fact to survivors, and the groceries. They truly care for, are
negative publicity your devoted to, and generously give 1. Be present and
back to the customers and be known
that retailers, unprepared store communities they serve.
This item is particularly important
management, and would incur should The video bios and personal for independent operators today.
comments during the award Customers want to know the people
staff do much more give any owner pause. ceremonies attest to the selflessness they are doing business with, and
of grocery retailers.
than just sell By attending this
groceries. They truly seminar you would
care for, are devoted have taken the first
to, and generously step to preparing your
give back to the store.
customers and
communities they Other seminars dealt
serve. with an issue that
every store currently
deals with: hiring and

retention of

employees. Many

stores continue to hire and

attempt to retain employees using

what worked for a generation of

baby boomers, but today’s

employees are attracted and

24 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

MEMBER SERVICE UPDATE

employees want to be a part of something successful store! In this current retail world of 3. Empower and invest in people
bigger than themselves. Owners and managers a myriad of choices and formats at which to
can gain success in this area by being present buy groceries, a successful store must have a Here again, show me a store that invests time
and engaged in their store on a daily basis, by product or service that sets them apart from and resources in the personal and professional
being involved in community events, and the ordinary. Niche operations that I have seen growth of managers and staff, and seeks to
being engaged in community organizations, run the full gamut from stores that excel at empower and not control, and I’ll show you a
and yes, contributing financially to those customer service, have specialized meat items successful store.
things that are important to the community. or services, deli-bakeries that produce in-house
fresh products a cut above the rest, owners and Unfortunately, in the midst of staff shortages,
Similarly, employees want to know who they managers that are highly engaged and interact busy schedules, and economic pressures,
are working for. This goes much further that with customers and staff continually investing in training and coaching is the first
simply knowing that the boss is that person in throughout the day, to store formats and item to be eliminated. And then far too often
the upstairs office, but rather a leader who layouts that are simply unique. So, the owners and store managers wonder why their
knows their employees by name, knows a bit question is, does your store have a niche it is department managers and staff do not meet
about their lives, and one who gives their known for? their expectations. Simply put, if we don’t
employees a glimpse into what makes them invest in people to equip them to succeed, we
tick. An easy test is to pay attention when you are should not be surprised if we don’t get the
out and about in your community and listen results we want. Investment of time and
Additionally, owners and managers must for how folks talk about your store to others. resources in the folks that work for you is
clearly and regularly cast vision about the core Or simply monitor social media. If your store never a waste of time or money.
values and personality they desire the store to is described in positive terms, and your niche
project to the customers they serve. products or services are often noted, you are In closing, it is an honor and privilege to serve
on the right track. But if you are simply as your Member Service Representative. I look
2. Find your niche and leverage it referred to as an average grocery store, or forward to visiting your store in 2019. Until
worse, you clearly haven’t mastered the art of then I wish you the merriest of Christmases
Show me a grocery store that has niche niche marketing. and health and happiness in the New Year!
products and services, and I will show you a

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 25

26 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

2018 YEAR AND REVIEW

There are four Social Media Communications
platforms that the
WGA has focused Social media has become of By Maddy
on updating this huge importance in marketing Harrison
year and will for all businesses. WGA Marketing
continue to This quick way to get the word Coordinator
improve on in out about company happenings
2019. using short and to-the-point Events Marketing
posts has caught on everywhere,
These four platforms include including with the WGA. The As seen with the Innovation
the WGA website, social WGA has focused on getting Expo, the WGA has been
media platforms, marketing out more content to our using lots of types of graphics
for events (and overall WGA members—as well as the to quickly inform our
marketing), and general general public—through the members.
communications. use of Facebook and Twitter.
In January of 2018, the WGA We made use There is a lot to look forward
WisconsinGrocer.com Facebook page had 367 of oversized postcards, flyers, to next year. Follow along,
followers; it currently holds and brochures to share share your ideas about change
Currently, the major changes around 420 followers. The goal essential information or improvements. We value
that have been made to the for the WGA is to continue to colorfully, clearly, and our members!
website is an overall fresher increase this number. conveniently. We’ll keep these
look to the pages. More Recently, the WGA’s Twitter in our communications
content has been added to the tweets and Facebook posts have repertoire, as well as the
home page, including photos included fun information on Wisconsin Grocer magazine,
and videos; and we’ve given national food days and helpful email communication, and
the site an overall better flow. information on cooking and social media.
In addition to the look of the shopping.
website, the WGA has started In 2019 the WGA will Communications
blogging. The blog features continue to provide valuable
articles from WGA magazines; information to our members In 2019, the WGA will
however the future plan is to and increase our reach to continue efforts to
present more valuable content general consumers. communicate event
for our members. information quickly and
Website changes will Digital communication is accessibly using many media.
continue into 2019 tremendously helpful in
with a more modern keeping members and the
look and more WGA informed. Both the
available WGA Weekly Special
content updates and the President’s
including Letter take advantage of easy
a news email contact.
section.

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 27

2018 YEAR AND REVIEW Events discuss the key grocer issues and There, Chef Michael Lavin
By to build a new or strengthen does his magic to provide
WGA Events Cheryl existing relationships with their delicious meals. A big thank
provide the Lytle legislator to share some of the you goes to Dave Spiegelhoff,
opportunity to WGA Events challenges in the grocery Gooseberries Fresh Foods, who
Director industry. make this possible.

interact with WGA ustry G Food S

members, which is recognized with the 2018 Grocery Industry Golf Outingnsin Grocery Indolf OutingOver 400 people were listed in
the key to success! Grocers Care Political Action June 6, 2018 The Score newsletter review
award for his outstanding Wisco published in the Summer issue
Thank you to everyone who political efforts and support. People who attend the Grocery of the Wisconsin Grocer
added WGA events to their Industry Golf Outing usually magazine. Check out this
busy schedules and made time Assembly Minority Leader comment how wonderful it is
to attend. We hope the industry Gordon Hintz addressed to spend the day outside with Food Safetyreview to see all team photos,
information and education Capitol Day attendees with his the grocery industry. This year,
benefited your store. caucus’ priority and perspective we had an hour rain delay, and people doing course challenges,
on recent large issues. Rep. took advantage of this time to and a list of almost 50 company
Grocers in the Capitol Day Dale Kooyenga serves on the eat lunch and network! Even in sponsors.
January 22 & 23, 2018 Joint Finance Committee and the rain, it was great day to golf! Plan now to attend in 2019 –
spoke on the soda equipment It’s a fun format of play too, We’re going back to Evergreen
The 20th annual WGA Grocers bill supported by the WGA and with a team scramble (pick the Golf Course in Elkhorn,
in the Capitol Day was January discussed his support for best ball to play) and ‘par is Wisconsin, on Wednesday, June
22 & 23, 2018 at the Park removing the outdated your friend,’ so the worst score 5, 2019.
Hotel in Madison and over 50 requirement and tax issues he is par! Course activities also
grocers participated in this has been working on. included eating pizza, water gun Innovation
important event. challenge, chipping challenges, Foo
Capitol Day opened with WGA’s sampling food and tons of fun!
attendees celebrating the Brandon Innovation Expo
passage of the $75 million Scholz and The Foundation’s Chopper October 16 & 17, 2018
exemption on machinery in Michelle Dropper was the final event
Personal Property Tax, with an Kussow before the awards program and The WGA’s Innovation Expo
extraordinary dinner and briefed is always a big hit! Attendees love was one of the best Expo’s to
fundraiser was held for the attendees on to gather to watch as 300 golf date! This year’s event was at
legislators who helped make the issues balls are dropped out of the sky. the Hyatt Regency & KI Center
this happen. being shared Attendees receive breakfast, in Green Bay on October 16
during legislative visits lunch and dinner at the outing, & 17, 2018 and provided
including: Repeal of soda which is a collaboration of food education and information that
equipment rental regulation, donated by the outing sponsors you can’t find anywhere else!
workers compensation reform, and delivered to Gooseberries
preemption on employment Fresh Food in Burlington. The educational program
ordinances, personal property provided very high evaluation
tax and interchange sales tax. scores, so we know we hit the
mark! Seminars this year
Senator Strobel and Marklein Legislative visits are the true included:
and Respresentatives Knodl purpose and focus of Capitol
and Kulp were dedicated with Day. WGA schedules meetings • Active Shooter
their support to make the PPT with attendee’s legislators to
exemption possible, and all four • Active Shooter Grocer Panel
received a Friend of Grocer cart
• Grocery Roundtables
for their
efforts. • Dignity in the Workplace
Dave
Ryman, >
Certco Inc.
was also

28 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 29

30 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

Events,2 0 1 8 Y E A R A N D R E V I E W continued

• Retailer 2020: Championship, which was a greatest tradition! This year
What’s the Future partnership with the 21 contestants bagged an order
(WTF) of 29 items, including a single
Wisconsin Bakers role of Lifesavers. This year’s
See more details on seminars in Association (WBA). winners will go for the gold at
Over 30 cakes were the NGA Best Bagger Contest
attending! Plus, a Pallet entered and the quality in San Diego, California, in
of Product fundraiser and skill of the projects February 2019.
for the WGA’s were impressive! WBA
held a reception for Finally, the Chairman’s Banquet
this Foundation bakers and announced is the highlight of the
magazine’s provided retail award winners. See the Innovation Expo. Ten people
Expo products at a steal- list of winners on page were recognized with honors
review. deal! 19. during the banquet: (alpha
The Great Wisconsin order by last name)
The Wisconsin NEW this year was Bag-Off is WGA’s longest and
Grocery Trade Show expanded the Cake Decorating Paul Godin, Godin’s Piggly
to over 140 booths loaded with Wiggly, Excellence In
vendors sharing samples, Operations
information on
services, and much Greg, Kari & Nick Hansen,
more! Trade Show Hansen’s IGA, Excellence In
Cash Giveaway and Operations
the Trade Show
Bingo gave out Doug Kulinski, IOLA Sentry,
$2,800 in cash Community Service Award
for just being
Mehmert Store Services,
Vendor of the Year Award

Tim Plevak, Trig’s Wausau,
Excellence In Operations

Save the Dates

Watch for more details in the WGA President’s Letter and at www.WisconsinGrocers.com.

Foundation ustry G olf Outing Innovation G r o c e r y S p e c i f i c
WGA FoFoFdooSodadfSeStyaaffeettyy
y Day nsin Grocery Ind
Certification Classes
in the

Wisco

A Day Grocers in the Grocery Innovation Food Safety Foundation
in the Field Capitol Industry Expo Certification Leadership
Golf Outing
March 2019 May 2019 October 1 & 2, 2019 Classes Institute
Milford Hills Madison, WI Wednesday, June 5, 2019 Hyatt Regency
Hunt Club, Evergreen Golf & KI Center Feb., May, Sept. June, July,
Milford, WI Aug. & Sept.
Course, Elkhorn, WI Watch for locations
to be announced Watch for updates
and locations to be

announced;
graduation at Expo

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 31

2018 YEAR AND REVIEW Foundation Wisconsin Grocers Association

David Education and
Kotwitz Scholarship
Executive
Director FOUNDATION
WGA Education
and Scholarship
Foundation

The Wisconsin Grocers Foundation Leadership Institute Goals:

• Identify individuals with the desire and potential to become leaders.
• Engage those individuals in ways that will indelibly affect their future and lay a

foundation for their personal growth as leaders in the industry.

• Provide the elements necessary for participants to build their skill sets to learn and execute

strategies to face business challenges in the 21st century marketplace, and promote the
grocery industry.

• Facilitate the promotion of program graduates into future leadership positions in their careers,

within the Wisconsin Grocers Association as well as on both local and national levels.

The 2018 Wisconsin Grocers Foundation “The best class was the one on ethics. Both presenters Session 4: Grocery Math by Paul Frey,
Leadership Institute began with 22 were fantastic. I have used a lot of the info received Certco
participants and finished with 21. already in store….”
“More in-depth talk about math and grocery
Let’s hear what the students had to say about the Don Witalson, Metcalfe’s Market numbers than I have been taught in the past.”
four, one-day classes spread over four months in
the summer. “I really enjoyed the class. I felt the information was Session 4: Grocery 101
very relevant to what we do.” by Kerry Jeanpierre, Delafield Sentry
“This class has taught me a lot. One of the biggest
things that stood out to me was the personality Lester Halstead, Nilssen’s Foods “Always great topics dealing with marketing which
section (social styles) because this showed me how is ever-changing—yet the basics always apply.”
myself and other employees might not agree on “I think overall it has been a great experience and
things, or how we do things differently.” has already changed the way I handle situations. Session 2: Human Relations by Dave
I have taken some of the key points back to my Kotwitz,
Tony Wilson, Main Street Market Lodi owners and have had some success with WGA Foundation
implementing some of the strategies.”
“Thank you for taking the time and effort to plan “The Social Styles class was the ‘light switch being
and execute the Leadership Courses for the WGA. Jacob Kleeber, Viking Village Foods flipped’ moment. I’ve struggled getting through to
Overall I found the session to be very informative many by expecting them to be similar to myself
and helpful in my growth in the grocery industry. “..and enjoyed all of the speakers. I am not joking and now I have the sound structure to use to relate
The presenters that encouraged the class to interact when I say that I have personally referenced specific to their mindsets to help get through and coach
were especially enjoyable…..better to get class lessons in these classes in my everyday work life. them effectively.”
involvement than to read PowerPoint slides.” Valuable stuff!!”
The WGA Foundation is looking forward to
Christopher Johnson, Festival Foods Dalton Andersen, Festival Foods presenting another great year of classes for the
future leaders of the grocery industry.
“The informal nature that the classes are presented And some comments from our 60-second surveys: Applications will be accepted starting in February
in encourages everyone involved to participate and 2019. Watch for information in the Presidents
feel comfortable, which leads to a productive Session 3: Ethics Letter.
learning environment.” by Brian Baumgart and Ed Rueter,
Clifton Allen Larson Thank you to all the faculty members who
Adam Boyd, Delafield Sentry helped to make these classes relevant and
“Outstanding presenters and presentation—fantastic!” interesting.
“ The WGA’s leadership Institute program went
above and beyond my expectations. The Session 2: Communication and Teamwork None of this could be done without your
presentations were very interactive and kept the by Steve Burkhardt, donation of time and talent.
whole class on their toes!” Festival Foods

Joshua Harris, Russ Davis Wholesale “Steve was loaded full of stories to drive home the
points he was making. I look forward to purchasing
and reading the books he recommended during his
presentation”.

For more information on the Wisconsin Grocers Foundation Leadership Institute program
please contact: Dave Kotwitz, (608) 931-9278 or kotwitz2@aol.com

32 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

Wisconsin Grocers Foundation
Leadership Institute Graduates

Congratulations to the graduates of WGA’s Leadership Institute!

Dalton Sean Follet Jacob Chris David
Andersen Metcalfe’s Kleeber Maloney Stinebrink
Festival Foods, Market Viking Russ Davis Stinebrink’s
Janesville Hilldale, Village, Wholesale, Piggly
Madison Reedsburg Merrill Wiggly,
Adam Boyd Lake Geneva
Albrecht’s Lester Alek Brenna
Delafield Halstead Kneebone Miller Sam Toulson
Market, Nilssen’s Festival Watertown Nilssen’s
Delafield Foods, Foods, Piggly Wiggly, Foods,
Baldwin Madison Watertown Baldwin

Blake Daniels Josh Harris Alex Malicki Jason Richard
Daniels Foods Russ Davis Malicki’s Savatski Tousey
Sentry, Wholesale, Piggly Stinebrink’s Metcalfe’s
Walworth Merrill Wiggly, Piggly Wiggly, Market,
Jefferson Kenosha Wauwatosa
Tyler Daniels
Daniels Foods Christopher Ben Malicki Jeff Sergent Tony Wilson
Sentry, Johnson Malicki’s T.A. Solberg Main Street
Walworth Festival Piggly Co., Piggly
Foods, Mt. Wiggly, Minocqua Wiggly,
Pleasant Racine Lodi

Don Witalison Metcalfe’s Market West Towne, Madison (photo not available)

Leadership Series Outline Session 2: Human Relations & “Best Practices” for hiring/termination Local /State/Federal
Communication Risk management policies/procedures for Legislative vs regulatory
Session 1: Management & Leadership employers to implement Elected officials
1) Organizational Culture: Do We 1) Communication Faculty: Jerry Leemkuil, Federated Insurance Citizen lobbyist
Manage or Lead? The communication process Faculty: Steve Loehr, Kwik Trip
Roles of management Communication skills-questions, listening 2) How to use Social Styles Michelle Kussow, WGA
Leadership skills and traits and feedback How to use and perfect your understanding
Effective leadership and power Body language of social styles 2) Store Appearance
Successful leaders Communication barriers Exercises involving social styles Cleanliness
Faculty: Jason Stingl, Festival Foods Faculty: Steve Burkhardt, Festival Foods Faculty: David Kotwitz Stock Condition
Food Safety
2) Maximizing Leadership Effectiveness 2) Teamwork 3) Ethics Customer Service
Manager’s roles and performance Get the best from your teams Define ethical behavior Community Involvement
How employees assess managers Team dynamics and dysfunctions Manager responsibility to provide an Faculty: Kerry Jeanpierre, Delafield Sentry
How to build trust and good working Coaching and mentoring ethical workplace
relationships Putting an effective team together Importance of written rules and how to 3) Marketing Basics
How to manage your time Faculty: Steve Burkhardt, Festival Foods administer them Merchandizing principles
What affects performance? Impact of not following the written rules Visual merchandizing
Communicating clear expectations 3) An Effective Workplace equally Technology and marketing
Faculty: Jason Stingl, Festival Foods Relationships Faculty: Brian Baumgart, Clifton Larson Allen Print advertising and new technology
Understanding the social types Stages of a products life cycle
3) Leadership and Change Definition of conflict 4) Safety in the Workplace Flow of goods from the supplier to the
Reactions to change Conflict resolution OSHA regulations and how they apply household
Our ability to affect change for positive Faculty: Dave Kotwitz, WGA Foundation Safety regulations Marketing and profitability
outcomes Dangers in the workplace Faculty: Kerry Jean-Pierre, Delafield Sentry
Why change efforts fail 4) Time Management Retail Theft
Faculty: Tom Schaefer, Supervalu Time management and reality Managing a facility 4) Grocery Mathematics
Urgent/important Workman’s Comp/ Liability Insurance Grosses and profits
4) Problem Solving and Decision Making Time leaks Care and maintenance of the physical Payroll
Seven steps to problem solving Efficient Meetings facility Budgets and cost controls
Principles of problem solving Advantages of Proper Delegation Faculty: Patrick O’Brien & Adam Olijnyk, Grosses in different perishable departments
How to implement the decision Faculty: Dave Kotwitz, WGA Foundation Society Insurance Grosses across categories
Faculty: Tom Schaefer, Supervalu Direct delivery versus warehouse
Session 3: Human Resources & Safety Session 4: Grocery 101 Faculty: Bob Heck, Piggly Wiggly Midwest
1) Employment Practices & Trends
Liability issues of concern to employers 1) Government Affairs

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 33

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2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 35

MEMBER EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS

A Grand Celebration Madison-based Maurer’s Foods will fill the Festival Foods, which operates 31 other
street-level tenant space on East Mason Street locations throughout the state, began
Fox Bros. Piggly between North Jackson and North Van Buren operations on Nov. 2. Mark Skogen,
Wiggly recently streets with Urban Market. The chain said it president and CEO of Skogen’s Festival
held a Grand will operate a full-service supermarket focused Foods, said the company is eager to welcome
Opening for on fresh, responsibly sourced products that is the Mauston Festival Foods associates into
their new Port Washington store. They expected to open early next year. The store the Skogen’s family of stores.
celebrated in Fox Bros. style with a “Sausage would be 10,500-sf and would be Maurer’s
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony” and gave away first location in metro Milwaukee. “The Burnstad family has done an excellent
free gift bags to the first 300 customers after job managing this store for many years,”
the Sausage Ribbon Cutting to begin the Offerings are expected to include produce, Skogen said. “We are honored to have this
celebration. With the notoriety and meats, seafood, an in-house bakery, a fresh opportunity to continue the tradition they
popularity of Fox Bros. Award Winning deli, a sushi bar, dairy and cheese products, started in the Mauston community.” The
Brats, a string of fresh bratwurst was cut frozen foods and other snacks and staples. Burnstad family began its grocery business in
instead of the traditional ribbon cutting. Urban Market will also feature chef-prepared Tomah in 1944, just two years before the
Jackie Bellante of Jackson won the 30th meals, such as grab-and-go and ready-to-heat Skogen family opened its first store in
anniversary drawing winning a 2019 Ford options. The store will be modeled after the Onalaska. Both businesses began in small,
Mustang. company’s Fresh Madison Market, which is corner stores.
near the University of Wisconsin campus.
The other finalists (one drawn from each WGA 2018 Vendor of the Year, Mehmert In 1965, the Burnstad family business
store) won a Sony Bravia 55-inch high Store Services of Pewaukee will design the expanded to Mauston. “We have deep roots
definition television. Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly store. in the community of Mauston, and we want
gave away 30 Prizes at every store, which to thank everyone who has supported our
included Ipads, Apple Watches, and Piggly A Veteran Thank You family and our business for so many years,”
Wiggly Gift Cards. The Fox Bros. Port Karl and Bill Miller of said Cindy Bolton, co-owner of the Festival
Washington store has been completely Miller and Sons Foods in Mauston. “We are pleased to be able
remodeled to look like a brand new store. Supermarket (with to transition the store to another family who
Some of the new features include a fresh salad puts customers and communities first.”
bar, hot soup station, and a chicken wing bar. locations in Verona and Mount Horeb), were
A service specialty meat case and a fresh recently awarded a citation on behalf of the First Event Success
seafood case have also been added to enhance Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial
the customer shopping experience. Fox Bros. Association. The award was given as an Back in August, Nilssen’s Foods held its 1st
Piggly Wiggly, a long-time WGA member, is expression of sincere appreciation and full Annual Charity Golf Outing. Nilssen’s is a
a 100% employee-owned company with eight praise for their patriotic service rendered to family owned independent grocery chain with
locations in the Milwaukee area. the community. locations in Baldwin, Ellsworth, Glenwood
City, Clear Lake, and Cumberland Wisconsin
First Place: Crave Brothers!! Miller and Sons Supermarket has “gone above and Zumbrota, Minnesota. Twenty-three
and beyond in working with the Mt. Horeb teams of four were able to play 18 holes of
Crave Brothers Farmstead Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9511, golf, on what turned out to be a beautiful
Classics Mascarpone won American Legion Post 113 and all Veterans four hours in the middle of the day.
the First Place Award in its by the generosity they have shown to many of
category: Open Class Soft our fundraising efforts,” said Don Hartman, Nilssen’s is pleased to announce that with all
Cheese, at the 2018 World Dairy Expo executive director of the Mount Horeb of the support given, they were able to raise
Championship Dairy Product Contest. At the Veterans Memorial Association. $9,000.00, which will be used to sponsor
judging, held in Madison, Crave Brothers scholarships to high school graduates within
Mascarpone earned 99.75 points out of a New Owners their market area. Nilssen’s thanked
possible 100 points. This luxurious cheese is SpartanNash for their help with the event,
made from fresh, sweet cream and has been Skogen’s Festival Foods along with the vendor partners that
honored with more than 30 awards since it has purchased the Festival sponsored a golf team, a hole sponsor, or
was introduced, including another recent Foods in Mauston. The donated prizes to help make the event
First Place Award at the 2018 Dodge County store has been owned and operated for five successful.
Fair Cheese Judging. generations by the Donald Burnstad family in
a separate Festival Foods franchise. Skogen’s
New Store Coming!!!

The Milwaukee Business
Journal reports that
Northwestern Mutual
wanted to have a grocer in the street-level
space next to its 7Seventy7 apartment
building located at 777 N. Van Buren Street
in Milwaukee. Now it has one.

36 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 37

M E M B E R E V E N T S A N D H A P P E N I N G S See more events and happenings each week in the President’s Letter, the weekly WGA e-newsletter. Sign up at wisconsingrocers.com.

And There Were Five associates staffed the event and all proceeds were donated back to Make-
A-Wish. “We’re just too passionate about this cause to let this tradition
Doug and Katie Rinehart have added a fifth end. It is such a special program and we love supporting the kids. We just
location to their family grocery business, had to get a little creative this year and our team is already coming up
Dick’s Fresh Market, by purchasing Scheel’s with ideas on how we can improve for next year,” said Kevin Rietveld,
Supervalu in Wabasha, MN from longtime Bakery Director. Since 1996, Trig’s bakery rose over $150,000 for Make-
owners, Bob and Diane Scheel, according to the Buffalo County Journal. A-Wish Foundation and touched many local families. Since the founding
Wabasha is a small community along the Mississippi River in Minnesota, of our Chapter in 1984, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin has granted life-
about an hour northwest of La Crosse. The Scheel family has served the changing wishes for over 6,500 children and their families.
Wabasha shopping market in two states for more than 60 years, and new
owner Doug Rinehart promises he’ll maintain the high quality established Store Purchased, New Banner
by his predecessors and serve the small towns and their families just like
the Scheel family has done all these years. “We enjoy small communities,” Madison-based Maurer’s Foods announced the
said Doug. “We like being an important part of each of the communities purchase of the Columbus Hometown Market
we serve.” This is the first Dick’s Fresh Market in Minnesota; there are in Columbus, Wisconsin. The supermarket will
also locations in Amery, River Falls, Osceola and Menomonie. officially reopen under the Maurer’s Market
IGA banner beginning December 5th as a full-
Thank You, Herv service supermarket. The 36,000-sf supermarket, Maurer’s fourth store,
will offer a full grocery line, with locally farmed produce, a wide selection
Dave Hervey recently marked the end of a 30-year run of meats and seafood, an in-house bakery, a fresh deli, a large dairy and
as Chain Account Executive for Wisconsin cheese assortment, frozen foods and other snacks and staples. Maurer’s
Supermarkets of MillerCoors. Dave has worked with Market will also feature chef-prepared meals, including grab-and-go and
the Wisconsin grocery industry for Miller and ready-to-heat options. The new Columbus store will also be bannered
MillerCoors helping retailers across the state with the under the IGA Alliance similar to the company’s other two IGA stores in
promotions, merchandising, special requests, attending Wisconsin Dells and Janesville. “At Maurer’s Market IGA, we know that
their events and more. Call him Dave, Herv, or Hervey, there wasn’t a shopping local is very important. The community we serve wants friendly
thing he wouldn’t do to help a retailer. Dave was a huge supporter of the service from our staff and they want local products at the peak of
WGA and always made sure that he was there to support us with his freshness so they can feel good about eating and feeding their family,”
super-positive attitude and willingness to help out in any way. Thank you said Jeff.
Dave! Best of luck with your next adventure! And remember, you have a
friend in every grocery store in Wisconsin!! New Location Announced

Turkey Trot Wins National Award Milwaukee Biz Times reports that growing convenience
store chain Kwik Trip Inc. is planning to open a West
The Festival Foods Turkey Trot is among the Allis location in the former AMF bowling alley at
recipients of this year’s Food Marketing Highway 100 and West Lapham Street in Milwaukee. La
Institute’s Community Outreach Award. The Crosse-based Kwik Trip would occupy 3 acres of the 5-
Festival Foods Turkey Trot was acknowledged acre site at 10901 W. Lapham St. The property is owned
for its contribution to the overall health or engagement of a community. by Coast Carwash LLC, which is currently redeveloping the remaining 2
The Turkey Trot, held every Thanksgiving morning since 2008, began acres. An affiliate of Waukesha-based Coast Carwash purchased the site
when Festival Foods wanted to host an event to directly benefit local from New York-based AMF Bowling Centers Inc. for $2.1 million in
nonprofits in the communities where its stores were located. Ever since January, according to state records. Kwik Trip is proposing to construct a
that first year in 2008, Festival Foods has partnered with YMCAs and 7,291-square-foot convenience store and fueling station similar to the
Boys & Girls Clubs in communities where Festival Foods grocery stores company’s existing stores in the region.
are located. Both nonprofit organizations contribute to the events by
encouraging their employees to serve in a variety of roles on race day. Big Win for Cedar Crest Ice Cream
Festival Foods associates also volunteer in great numbers, contributing in
excess of 200 hours in pre-event planning and event-day coordination. Congratulations to Cedar Crest Ice Cream for
Over the event’s 10-year span, fundraising for these Boys & Girls Clubs winning two outstanding marketing awards
and YMCAs has totaled $2,245,000. from QCS purchasing group. The two
winning categories include outstanding
Giving Back
marketing campaign and best print
Twenty-two years ago, Trig’s partnered with Make-A- collateral. “We’re excited and honored to
Wish Foundation to bake and sell cranberry win these prestigious awards, and
cheesecake, which was sold at Eagle River’s annual showcase two of our top initiatives in
Cranberry Fest. Proceeds have always benefited the 2018,” said Ken Kohlwey, Cedar Crest
Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year the fundraiser president. The awards honor member
was at risk due to difficulty finding enough volunteers to work at the and supply partner organizations that
event. That is when Trig’s decided to take the project in house. The Trig’s have launched creative marketing efforts
bakery team decided to make a 100’ strawberry shortcake for each of the and campaigns that effectively compete
7 stores and sell it by the inch during their Fall Fest event. Trig’s own in the ever-changing food and beverage
manufacturing industry.

38 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

RETIREMENT MEMBER EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS

Congratulations! Congrats and Thank You!

Congratulations Peter Larkin, president and
to Dennis and chief executive officer of the
Beverly Kramer National Grocers Association
on their (NGA), plans to retire
retirement and December 31, 2019 after more
years of service than eight years at the helm of
in the the independent grocer’s trade
community group, reports Supermarket
with Kramer’s News. The NGA board of
County Market directors is forming a search
and for their committee to find a successor,
support for the and the committee is slated to meet in mid-January. Larkin, who has four
WGA! decades of experience in the supermarket industry, has served as president and
Congratulations CEO of NGA since July 1, 2010. “When I started working for The Kroger Co.
also to Dave 36 years ago, little did I know that I would one day have the honor to serve as
and Stephanie Hediger, the proud new owners of Abby the president and CEO of NGA. I am grateful to our members and board of
County Market. Dave says, directors for the privilege and opportunity to lead this great organization,
“I am so happy to be back to the basics, taking care of which truly represents the best entrepreneurs in our industry and country,”
employees and customers!” Dave and Stephanie also posted Larkin said in a statement.
a special thank you on the store’s website saying, “A special
thank you to employees and customers during this “I’m proud of our accomplishments, from growing our advocacy and
transition. We appreciate all of you and will continue to government relations program, doubling our membership, relaunching the
serve the community as the new Abby County Market - NGA Foundation and growing The NGA Show into the successful event that it
Community Strong!” is today.” Larkin made his third appearance since starting at the NGA at the
WGA’s Expo this year. The WGA wishes Peter the best as he leaves the NGA
well prepared for future challenges.

Z.T. Distribution, Inc. is a Doug Bulgrin
Direct Store Distribution company with
100 years of experience in the Grocery Industry. Onion Sales
doug@gumzfarmswi.com
Our knowledgeable team services in excess of 500 fine retail locations in the
Wisconsin and Northern Illinois markets. Z.T. partners with quality brands Tom Bulgrin
from the Snack, Beverage, Ethnic, and local “Wisconsin Made” categories.
Potato Sales
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(414) 483-7733
2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 39
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PROFESSIONAL CARDS

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Distributor of fine refrigerated products to
KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER supermarkets in over 40 states, including:

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(920) 648-3466

ED WHOLESALE Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. 2700 National Drive, Suite 101
(AWG) is the nation’s largest
A S S OCIAT cooperative food wholesaler to Onalaska, WI 54650
D independently owned supermarkets.
GROCERS DBS ROUP Chris Walters,
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Thank you to our PALLET OF PRODUCT SILENT AUCTION DONORS

BAKERS
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Funds benefit the WGA’s Education & Scholarship Foundation

40 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

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1-800-533-9594

1270 Energy Lane
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Mike Mules St. Cloud Division Office

Lipari Foods Inc. 360 Hoffman Court • St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303
320•251•3961
26661 Bunert Road
Warren, MI 48089

414.234.9867

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Bakers of Country Hearth and Village Hearth Breads and Buns

PAN-O-GOLD Baking Co. Green Bay Distribution Center
1000 Wilburn Road • Sun Prairie WI 53590 • (608) 834-1816 451 Joannes Ave.
Green Bay WI 54304
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8401 West 102nd St., Ste. 300
Carl Butzine • cbutzine@panogold.com • cell (608) 640-9441 Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158

3510 Central Ave. The Wisconsin Grocers Association
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(800) 397-9477 What the WGA has to offer, you can’t get anywhere else.

www.PrairieFarms.com Now at 10 West Mifflin Streen, Suite 205 | Madison, WI 53703
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Merrill, WI • Wadena, MN • Jamestown, ND
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2018 Year End Review WISCONSIN GROCER 41

42 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com

2018 Year End Review Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 43