“Peter has advanced the industry’s policy initiatives at all levels of government. With his legal experience in the retail industry spanning a 33-year period, he has been an advocate for the industry in the nation’s capital and in his home state of Massachusetts,” commented Tim Hammonds, FMI president and CEO, in presenting the award.
Phillipes helped FMI develop proactive policies on issues such as electronic benefits transfer (EBT), antitrust, and employment laws and regulations. He serves on FMI’s Public Affairs Committee and is a member and past chairman of FMI’s Legal Affairs Committee.
At the state level, Phillipes was instrumental in the effort to repeal Massachusetts’ blue laws and is a leader in efforts to challenge limits to state liquor licenses. He also helped the state to adopt electronic shelf-labeling requirements and was a key figure in the defeat of legislation calling for stringent packaging requirements for all grocery products sold in the state.
At Stop & Shop, Phillipes has strengthened the company’s commitment to diversity. His efforts have led to substantial minority representation at all levels of the company, and he helped elevate the issue on the food retail industry agenda.
“Peter has raised the bar of excellence in public service to our industry. He is a man who is totally committed to the best interests of our industry and our nation.”