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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Global Market Development Center presented its annual GMDC Lifetime Achievement Award to Jim Wonderly, vice president of strategic accounts at QK Healthcare Inc., who previously spent 25 years at Ahold, where he led the retailer’s general merchandise category.
The award was presented this week during the organization’s GM16 conference in Orlando, Fla. The award honors visionary leaders who have made significant contributions to the industry’s general merchandise and health beauty wellness categories, to his or her company, and to GMDC.
GMDC’s executive committee and a committee of past GMDC board chairs still active in the association select the award’s recipients annually.
“During his extensive career Jim has progressively had a strong, positive influence on the growth and profitability of nonfoods. He has made transforming retail a priority and that exemplifies the spirit and meaning of GMDC’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Patrick Spear, president and chief executive officer of GMDC. “We hope that Jim’s passion for challenging the industry and his accomplishments will energize and inspire others in the industry to be thought leaders and change agents.”
Wonderly began his career as a GM/HBC category manager, before joining Tops Supermarkets as director of GM/HBC. He then helped found American Sales Co. (the Ahold USA GM/HBC distribution organization) as vice president of GM/HBC. He moved to Stop and Shop Supermarkets as vice president of GM/HBC before assuming the role of vice president of pharmacy. Wonderly moved to Ahold USA as vice president of grocery nonfoods/pet/candy. Wonderly is also an associate with the BGJ Group. He served a two-year term as chairman of the board at GMDC in 2005 and 2006.
“I can’t begin to tell you how surprised and appreciative I am to receive this great award,” said Wonderly. “I’m honored to be recognized and will continue to be a passionate advocate for ways retailers and wholesalers can innovate and drive the marketplace.”
GMDC is the premier nonprofit global trade association dedicated to serving health beauty wellness and general merchandise retailers, wholesalers and suppliers. GMDC promotes critical connectivity to grow and expand member companies by uniting members through business-building events and opportunities and enriching their thinking through education and training; consumer and business insights; and information resources.