Executive Leadership Award Recipients

A hallmark of his leadership is a core belief that culture drives success, and self-disruption is the best way to win in the market and serve your consumers. He revitalized the U.S. business through a strategic focus on empowering people and transforming to a consumer-obsessed, culture of innovation.

Steve began his career with Nestlé 27 years ago as a controller for the beverage factory in Suffolk, Virginia and has held various roles in finance and management across his tenure. As chairman and CEO, Steve oversaw a strategic portfolio transformation that helped turn Nestlé USA into an engine for profitable growth and a pacesetter in the industry. Under Steve’s leadership, the company also continues to make significant progress on its journey to achieve net zero emissions, including efforts to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture in its ingredient supply chain, expand renewable energy use, and design its packaging for recyclability.

Steven has served as CEO since March 2019. Prior to this role, Steven served as senior vice president and chief commercial officer for Frito-Lay’s U.S. organization, setting strategy and overseeing all commercial activities for the U.S. field sales and customer organization.

Steven joined PepsiCo in 2001 as part of PepsiCo’s acquisition of the Quaker Oats Company, which he joined in 1997, and has held leadership positions of increased responsibility across PepsiCo in sales, general management, customer management, sales planning and shopper marketing.

Steven is a member of the board of directors of State Farm Mutual Automobile Company and is very active in the community, serving on the executive advisory board for the Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business, the president’s advisory board for University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in addition to being a current Board Chair of United Way in Dallas; and 2024-2025 Campaign Chair during United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Centennial year.

Steven holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a graduate of the Program for Leadership Development (PLD) at Harvard Business School.

Words like "Loving," "Relational," "Inclusive," "Pioneering," "Intuitive," and a "Servant Leader" aptly describe Brandon, reflecting his dedication to people, innovation, inclusivity, and ethical leadership. His impact transcends business, making him a champion for a better, more sustainable world.

Brandon Barnholt is a dynamic corporate leader with over four decades of experience in the food industry retail and supply chain. For the past 16 years, he served as the CEO and president of KeHE, where he spearheaded remarkable growth, turning the company into North America's leading distributor of natural & organic, specialty, and fresh foods with an annual revenue of $8 billion. Under his leadership, KeHE transitioned into a B Corporation and became a passionate advocate for the organic and good food movement.

Over the years, he has regularly appeared before legislative bodies to testify on critical issues that directly impact the industry.

David Smith, former president and CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) recently retired in December 2023 after a remarkable 20-year journey with the company. With an extensive career spanning 48 years in the industry and 36 years dedicated to wholesale, David's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the grocery sector. He rose through the ranks at AWG, becoming CEO in 2015 and holding key positions like executive vice president of operations/chief supply chain and merchandising officer and COO. In 2022, he was recognized by the National Grocers Association (NGA) with the Clarence G. Adamy Great American Award, reflecting his advocacy for independent grocery operators at the national level.

David's commitment to independent supermarket operators has been a consistent theme throughout his career, which began with a family-owned, multi-store operation. His legacy as a visionary leader dedicated to the success of independent retailers will continue to influence the industry long after his retirement in 2023.