May 8, 2006
CHICAGO, IL — May 8, 2006 — The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today announced the Grand Prize winners of the 2006 Store Manager Superior Service Awards at the FMI Show:

  • Daryl McCausland, Safeway Food and Drug, Cloverly, MD
  • Gary Heckathorn, Bashas’ Family of Stores, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Anthony Estrada, Ball’s Food Stores, Kansas City, KS

McCausland was honored for numerous contributions to the community. His store donated more than $40,000 during the past four years to the local 4-H livestock auction, provided financial assistance to more than 30 local schools and causes, organized a carnival fundraiser for breast cancer research and collected donations for care packages sent to troops in Iraq.

He supported local schools, sponsoring a wrestling tournament, providing new baseball equipment and donating resources to help a cheerleading team travel to a national event. He helped start a program, now in its tenth year, that provides hundreds of Thanksgiving dinners to single-parent families and the elderly.

Heckathorn was recognized for innovative events hosted by his store. He organized clambakes, art shows, vendor food shows, steak cookouts and theme nights. Heckathorn’s most lavish production was a 1950s-themed event, complete with girls in poodle skirts, gourmet food grilled on the spot by local chefs, an Elvis impersonator, a checkerboard floor for sock-hopping and a classic car show.

He created an annual Easter Egg Hunt, attended by nearly 100 children a year. Heckathorn’s staff hides eggs in potted plants and flowers from the store’s floral boutique. Children who find special gold and silver eggs receive gourmet baskets containing toys and candy.

Estrada uses his dual position as store director and part-time police officer to serve the community. His store sponsors an annual Kids Health and Safety Fair, which educates people about child safety tips, nutritional information, immunization screening and car seat safety. Estrada also organized food drives for military troops overseas and local churches.

One of his biggest projects in 2005 was driven by his desire to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. His store held a food drive and a campaign to raise money for the cause. Estrada used his vacation time to volunteer in Mississippi, providing hurricane relief for the state.

For the award competition, companies submitted entries highlighting store managers who established programs to improve their communities or stores by enhancing customer relations and store operations, increasing their consumer base or revitalizing the community. The contest was open to in-store managers employed in the food retail, mass merchandise and convenience store industries.

Judges evaluated the entries on originality, creativity, impact on store growth, customer satisfaction and community relations. The grand prize winners each receive a $1,000 check.

The 2005 winners were: Paul Boisjolie, Hy-Vee, Inc, Austin, MN; Pamela Peterson, Spartan Stores, Manistee, MI; and Duane Roderick, Covington Foods, Inc, Attica, IN.