The GIANT Company honors team members during Annual Business Meeting

 CARLISLE, Pa. – The GIANT Company, known locally as GIANT and MARTIN’S, celebrated the achievements of its team members on April 8 at its annual business meeting. A total of 27 awards were presented recognizing the recipients’ commitment to outstanding performance and leadership while embodying the company’s mission, values, and team and customer promises.

“No matter what your role is within The GIANT Company, we’re all working toward the same goals by delivering value, freshness and kindness every day,” said John Ruane, president, The GIANT Company. “The store and individual team members honored at this year’s annual business meeting are making a difference in their respective departments, in their stores, and in their communities, and we are proud to celebrate their leadership, dedication, and impact.”

The awards included:

• Store of the Year is awarded to the store in each of the company’s operating divisions that best demonstrates operational excellence and lives the company’s values, bringing them to life by actively engaging its customers and team members. In the West division, the MARTIN’S at 1950 S. Pleasant Valley Road in Winchester, Va. led by Marquis Black and his team and in the East division, the GIANT at 7150 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown, Pa. led by Stephen Bowlby and his team were recognized.
• Category of the Year is awarded to a category team in both the fresh and center store departments that continuously find ways to enhance the customers’ shopping experience, actively seeks ways to simplify processes, effectively generates incremental sales and profits, and exemplifies the “one team” attitude. In fresh, the deli service/specialty team led by Taneya Clark, category manager, was recognized and the pet/baby team led by Crystal Smith, category manager, was honored in center store.
• Retail Team Member of the Year is awarded to a team member from each division who consistently provides outstanding customer service, is always willing to support fellow team members, and lives by the company’s values. In the West division, William Jennings, center store replenishment, from the MARTIN’S located at 409 South St., Front Royal, Va. was recognized and in the East division, Troy Oxford, center store replenishment, from the GIANT at 3300 Lehigh St., Allentown, Pa. was honored.
• Transportation Team Member of the Year, awarded to a team member who consistently demonstrates leadership in transportation operations, prioritizes safety, acts with a sense of urgency, and plays a critical role in ensuring timely, efficient support for the stores, was presented to Bill Green, driver.
• Distribution Center Team Member of the Year, awarded to a team member who consistently provides leadership and support across all areas in distribution, acting with a sense of urgency, and continuously finding new ways to elevate the brand and support the stores, was presented to Tina Tumas, human resources coordinator.
• Support Center Team Members of the Year are awarded to team members in five distinctive departments of the support center operations who demonstrate collaboration and partnership, supporting team success, and driving impactful results within their function. This year’s honorees included:
  • Commercial Team Member of the Year – Deb Kreider, director, meat and seafood
  • Customer Experience Team Member of the Year – Jade Smith, specialist, field merchandising
  • Finance Team Member of the Year – Kerry Eck, manager, real estate development
  • HR Team Member of the Year – Kellie Wilson, talent development manager
  • Marketing Team Member of the Year – Mark Salinger, manager, planning and insights
• Living Our Customer Promises Award, which honors a team member who consistently lives the company’s customer promises – serve with kindness, obsess over freshness, and deliver savings and rewards – was presented to Dionis Mateo Pujols, store manager, GIANT at 2450 Chemical Road in Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
• Living Our Team Member Promises Award, which honors a team member who demonstrates each of the team member promises – grow through new opportunities, make a difference, and be you – was presented to Dave Wrzesniewski, manager, pharmacy operations.
• The Delivering Value Award, awarded to a team member who strengthens customer loyalty by delivering value through low prices, weekly deals, personalized rewards, and cross-functional innovations that enhance the overall customer experience was presented to Darla Rieg, director, commercial planning.
• The Delivering Freshness Award recognizes the store in each of the company’s operating divisions that achieved the highest customer satisfaction score. This included the GIANT at 1241 Blakeslee Blvd. in Lehighton, Pa. in the West division, and the GIANT at 1375 Boot Road in West Chester, Pa. in the East division.
• The Delivering Freshness Award – Most Improved recognizes the store in each of the company’s operating divisions that saw the largest point increase in its customer satisfaction score. This included the GIANT at 325 West Freedom Ave. in Burnham, Pa. in the West division and the GIANT at 50. E. Wynnewood Road in Wynnewood, Pa. in the East division.
• The Delivering Kindness Award is presented to the store in each of the company’s operating divisions that achieved the highest score in the annual team member engagement survey. In the West division, the GIANT at 200 S. Dorcas St. in Lewistown, Pa. and the GIANT at 1661 S. Easton Road in Warrington, Pa. in the East division were recognized.
• The Delivering Kindness Award – Most Improved recognizes the store in each of the company’s operating divisions that saw the largest point increase in the annual team member engagement survey. It was a three-way tie in the West division as the MARTIN’S at 2032 E. Pleasant Valley Road in Altoona, Pa., the GIANT at 44 Natural Springs Road in Gettysburg, Pa. and the MARTIN’S at 22401 Jefferson Blvd. in Smithsburg, Md. were honored. In the East division, the GIANT at 2918 Easton Ave., in Bethlehem, Pa. was recognized.
• Rounding out the company’s awards program, the Legacy Award (formerly the President’s Award) was presented to Dave Liptok, regional director. The company’s highest honor, it recognizes an individual who has dedicated their career to The GIANT Company, sustained excellence and helped shape the company by building a legacy of building leaders for the future. 

“Dave began his career with GIANT as a cart pusher, and today, more than four decades later, he leads thousands of team members in delivering our mission,” said Ruane. “He's a phenomenal leader who loves GIANT, is known for uniting teams, delivering results, and showing others that anything is possible. When I reflect on Dave’s legacy, it is one best measured not in numbers, but in his influence on our culture, our people, and our success. It is truly an honor to recognize him with this year’s Legacy Award.”