Inductees of 2011 • Part 2 of 2

Patricia Hill

Bozzuto’s Inc.
Deli/Bakery Buyer

My father and mother, Robert and Julia Sharp, my husband, Richard, and Adam J. Bozzuto all reinforced the importance of good work ethics and integrity in my life.  These people always encouraged me to do my best every day, and to challenge others when I felt a change was needed to benefit our family, community or company.  I was taught to plan for changes – don’t be afraid of them, be part of them.  These people helped me have the confidence in myself that I would not have found by myself. I am proud to have been given the opportunity to grow with Bozzuto’s Inc. for 40 years.  The small company I started with has now grown to be one of the most respected, successful wholesale food distributors in the industry. I am proud to say that I have had a part in creating the company it is today. Starting in accounting, learning transportation, warehousing, merchandising, deli, being in on the ground level of creating the bakery department, as well as working with others to create “bigger and better” trade shows, I have never had a dull unchallenging day here.  In December of 2006, I was awarded the Adam J. Bozzuto Award.  It reads: In Honor of your Tireless effort, dedication and commitment to excellence.  I am honored.

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Joyce Hoben

Bozzuto’s, Inc.

Data Integrity Manager

On a personal level, my husband, Jim, has been my most influential mentor – helping me by listening and guiding me when I made choices as a working wife and mother. On a professional level, several of my supervisors and co-workers have taught me, counseled me and set a path towards change and growth, specifically Adam Bozzuto, Bob Smey and Joel Sebastian. Without their faith in me and my work ethics, I would not have had the opportunity to grow and be involved in so many different aspects of the grocery business at Bozzuto’s. I have held many positions in my 32-year career – cigarette procurement, frozen foods and grocery procurement, category management, and currently data integrity. The most important were the installation and testing of our buying system and the consistency of the vendor and item information that my team and I are responsible for today.

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Natalie Houder

C&S Wholesale Grocers  Inc.

Vice President, Strategic Sourcing            

While working as the vice president of financial accounting at MBNA America Bank, I reported to Randy Black, the controller.  Randy provided opportunities and projects that allowed me challenge myself and work with a variety of people within the organization.  He was always available for feedback sessions and helped me prioritize and effectively analyze and evaluate alternatives, whether it was related to daily responsibilities or career planning. The achievements I am most proud of include: After working in strategic planning for five years, with responsibility for acquisitions and new business, I became more involved in financial planning and treasury analysis.  I was promoted to director of treasury and enjoyed building the team and encouraging their professional development, improving our cash management operations and negotiating our credit facility.  More recently, I was asked to take on the management of a relatively new department in our company – Strategic Sourcing.  During my first year, we identified savings of approximately $5.0 million in annual spend.  It was so rewarding to work with people throughout the company focused together on improving our not-for-resale spend.

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Lisa Kamer          

Key Impact Sales

Director of Internal Systems

My mentors include Bob Galvin and Mark Hughes. Both have recognized my potential and have helped me to cultivate that into a successful career. The achievement I am most proud of is my promotion to vice president (Market Dynamics Group) and the ability to surround myself with a staff that is successful, dedicated, and whose skill sets compliment mine. My advice for upcoming younger executives: Use your intellectual curiosity. Try and find interest in a lot of different things and put that to work in a positive way. Test yourself!

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Mary Kellmanson

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.

Group Vice President, Marketing

 I've been fortunate to work with some incredibly talented folks throughout my career, and I like to think that I've been able to learn a little from each of them. I take a great deal of pride in helping people get the most out of their talents and abilities. Even years later, I love hearing how someone I've worked with is making a difference. Thoughts or advice for upcoming younger executives: Treat everyone well. Don't shy away from making hard decisions. And be yourself.

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Jamielee King

C&S Wholesale Grocers

Sr. Director Grocery Procurement

My mentors at C&S have been several over the course of my career in the Procurement Department. Ron Wright, Sr. stated in a team meeting at the early part of my career that" you are all replaceable, and don't forget it!"  This message has stayed with me through the years. It instilled in me the determination and diligence each and every day to go 150 percent above and beyond and never get comfortable in my seat, but stay on the edge of the chair, crossing all my T's and dotting all my I's. Bob Palmer and Tracy Moore also mentored me in my early years to be assertive but professional; never accepting no for an answer and asking all the right questions, however big or small the task at hand.  They both taught me to look into root causes, helping me understand what changes needed to be made in order to not make the same mistakes twice. My current boss, Jay Sharrock, continues to mentor me. He keeps me focused on looking ahead and reaching for change, thinking in a strategic, proactive manner. He has coached me to use my skill sets and experience in the department to grow our staff to the highest levels they are willing to reach, building our "bench strength" day-in and day-out.

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Andrea McKenna

Friendly Ice Cream Corp.

Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer

My mentors include the various executives from multiple disciplines which have been instrumental in my career, demonstrating the value of collaboration, the importance of people in any organization and in helping me hone my strategic skills. I am most proud of situations in which I have provided a challenging environment for talented executives to understand business needs and deliver powerful results. My thoughts or advice for upcoming younger executives: Find your passion and pursue it.  Demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm.  Show a willingness to learn and appreciate all experiences as opportunities to learn and develop professionally.

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Karen Meleta

Wakefern Food Corp.

Vice President of Consumer and Corporate Communications

I’ve had a number of mentors throughout my career; many of them have been outside of a traditional mentoring role. There are people who have influenced how I lead and manage my staff, plan for the future and approach the work I do every day. I find that sometimes the best kernels of wisdom are passed on in the most unexpected of circumstances from people you least expect. One of my mentors was a college professor who I continue to connect with to this day— his insights were invaluable at the early stages of my career and he continues to offer advice only a lifelong mentor could provide. The one accomplishment that is most significant for me personally is my role in continuing Wakefern/ShopRite’s commitment to fighting hunger. Our company has a long history in working with regional food banks and local hunger fighting charities and I am very proud to work to continue that commitment into the future. Our ShopRite Partners In Caring Fund has donated more than $24 million to the cause in the past decade. My hope is to keep it going for years to come.

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Erica Auciello Murphy

The Common Man

Director of Communications & Community Relations

The mentor I hold most dear was my first boss in the public relations field. Al Cappannelli was a man of great patience and inspiration, and helped me lay the ground work for a successful career in public relations. Al was taken from us far too early, passing from cancer at the age of 40.  I still think of him every day and often stop during my work to ponder what he'd think about a press release I'm writing or what he’d say about a crazy idea I have for a press event.  I am unbelievably proud to work for The Common Man family, a company that truly understands commitment to its employees, guests and community.  I am amazed by the creativity and generosity of everyone involved with the company, from our owner to our operations team to our more than 1,000 STARS.  I am fortunate that when I was rethinking the balance between having a career and raising a family, that The Common Man offered me the opportunity to do both. It’s because of their dedication to me and creating a flexible work environment that I feel I can continue to be successful in both my career and in caring for and enjoying my family.

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Sharon Rossi

Unilever

Vice President of Customer Development, Customer Operations and Retail Excellence

I am so very proud to be part of a company that manufacturers high quality products with brands like Breyers,  Ben & Jerry’s, Hellmann’s, Lipton, Suave, Vaseline and Dove, while maintaining its unwavering commitment to sustainability. Working for a company that is committed to sustainability enables me to collaborate closely with suppliers and retail partners to meet our shared business objectives while simultaneously addressing the social, economic and environmental challenges of our day.  It is this work that is not only personally fulfilling but that has helped to contribute to Unilever being named sustainability leader in the food and beverage super-sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the 12th consecutive year.  This recognition highlights the consistency of our performance in key sustainability indicators and is a unique achievement among more than 300 companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes World sample. 

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Neesha Seervai

Apple Metro

Director of Operations

The mentors in my life have been people with attributes of selflessness, wisdom and understanding. I am proud in my own career to move up quickly as the first woman area director and first woman director of operations for Apple Metro.   I am equally proud to have helped in the development of the people who work for me and to watch them grow to managers, general managers and area directors. Thoughts or advice for upcoming younger executives: Hope is not a strategy.  Planning and dedication with hard work will help you achieve your results.

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Elisa Shannon

Greater Boston Food Bank

Director of Food Acquisition

I am most proud of my work increasing food safety awareness on the local, national and international level. As owner of a food safety management company based in Southeast Asia, I had the opportunity to influence food safety legislation overseas as well as educate leaders in the U.S. Congress on the global implications of food safety. In addition to my passion for food safety, I continue to be extremely passionate about hunger relief. My work overseas included food sourcing for Bangkok inner city slum schools and an AIDS hospice operated by the Human Development Foundation. Additionally I worked with the UNDP on Mekong River Delta sustainability projects. Both endeavors helped lead me to my work with the Greater Boston Food Bank, the leading hunger relief organization in New England and a member of the Feeding America network, which is very exciting and rewarding.

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Suzanne Staples

Trimark United East

Director of Design

My mentors include my family, who were always supportive and proud of my accomplishments. The Halpern, Bean and Goldberg family members who owned and operated United Restaurant Equipment Company. They offered me my first interior design position after I graduated from college. At that time I worked with Jerry Hyman when he was a salesman. Now he is president of the Trimark USA Companies located throughout the United States. His vision of success and business savvy have allowed him to stay the course over many years of company change and growth. I am thankful to be part of his many accomplishments. The career achievements I am most proud of are project openings when clients, guests, and all disciplines involved are happy, relaxed and proud of the completed interior design.

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Kristi Strickland

Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

Field Marketing Director

I have had the privilege of working with several mentors in my career and one of the most important lessons learned is to put people first.  This is a people business, if you take care of the people, they will take care of the business.  Hire the right people, set the course, and then clear the way.  I have taken this lesson to heart and it has led to much personal and professional success. Working for an iconic brand and supporting franchisees that have such tremendous entrepreneurial spirit provides me rewarding moments every day.  Two recent accomplishments that I am most proud of are:  First, being a part of the leadership team that created a regional Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation Golf Event that raised over $100,000 in two years and assisted regional charities in serving those in need, in their neighborhoods.  Secondly, devising a strategic plan, side by side with franchisees, that helped increase sales and profits during the most challenging economic environment.

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Dian Tucker

Nestle Purina Petcare

Manager, Consumer and Marketplace Insights

The career achievements I am most proud of include relationship-building, problem-solving and timely solutions that meet retailers’ needs. The most challenging part of my job is integrating and synthesizing key consumer, shopper and retailer information sources to create thought-leading and actionable insights. Thoughts or advice for upcoming younger executives: Challenge yourself to try new areas of interest that can develop your skill set. Continue to embrace new technology, insights and tools.

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Tracy VanBibber

The Dial Corporation,
A Henkel Co.

Senior Vice President Customer Solutions

 For most of my career at Kraft Foods I had the pleasure of working for Phil Pellegrino.  He led the Kraft Foods sales organization.  What an amazing role model.  He knew most of the 10,000 employee sales force by name.  He sent personal notes of appreciation and sent birthday and anniversary cards.  He challenged us daily but also supported us daily.  He was a business driver that truly cared about each of us personally and professionally.  He was very customer-focused and everyone in the industry called Phil Pellegrino by his first name.  He was my role model and I have said for years if I can be half as good as Phil Pellegrino I will be proud.  Over my 19 years at Kraft Foods I held 15 different positions and moved nine times due to Phil's support and guidance.  What a great experience.   Here at Henkel, I have had three senior role models that have helped me to understand the complexities/opportunities of being a player in the global landscape.  The people at The Dial Corporation are some of the hardest working, tight knit and genuine folks in the industry.  It is an honor to be working side-by-side with them.  

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Adine Viscusi

Casa Visco

V.P. Sales & Marketing, Co-Owner

I am most proud of our work with the Regional Food Bank of North Eastern New York.  For the second year in a row, we made a $25,000 donation by working with local supermarket chains Hannaford & Price Chopper to sell Harvest Homestyle, a limited edition sauce, the proceeds of which go to the Regional Food Bank.  I am thrilled by the support of these retailers whose contributions make this donation possible. As a woman in the food business, wife and mother, my life revolves around feeding people good food. To help the Foodbank feed people seems like a natural extension. It is unfortunate the need is so great, and any small part Casa Visco can do feels like a real blessing. Thoughts or advice for upcoming younger executives: I would say, follow your passions.  Identify what you love to do, and figure out a way to get paid for it! That way, you will never “work” a day in your life.

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Ann Wallenius

Big Y Foods, Inc.

Director of Corporate Brands

Mentors who have assisted me: On a personal level, I would say that my parents gave us a very sound foundation to live by – values, a strong work ethic, a sense of humor and respect for ourselves and others.   Professionally, Phill Schneider has given me guidance and support for the 20+ years that we have worked together. Phill's encouragement and friendship have helped me to succeed and are very much appreciated. Dan Lescoe and Angelo DiLullo, both of whom believed in me, gave me the opportunity to advance in my career. Being an integral part of the growth and success of Big Y's corporate brands program is one of my biggest achievements. Thoughts or advice for upcoming younger executives: Build relationships with colleagues and associates based on mutual respect, be willing to work hard and love what you do.

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Jean Willy

C&S Wholesale Grocers

Senior Business Manager

I have been very fortunate to have many wonderful and influential mentors over my 30-year career, but the most influential have been my parents who instilled in me a strong work ethic, encouraged me to be the best I can, taught me to respect others and supported me in all my decisions.  I also owe a great deal to my husband who is very encouraging and keeps me grounded. My proudest career achievement is the role that I have as a senior business manager servicing a C & S prime customer.  Being very passionate about the food business, I am honored to be representing C&S Wholesale, an industry leader.

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Voni Woods

Giant Eagle Inc.

Senior Director of Deli

I believe from a very young age my dad was my mentor in the way he approached "work."  It wasn't necessarily a verbal coaching...it was they way I learned that hard work and determination and a very solid work ethic were the keys to success and often described as "luck"!  My husband has been a mentor and sounding board and the calming influence in my life who's importance is immeasurable!  My company and its leadership have formed a culture that has mentored and shaped me in so many positive ways and quite frankly the team I work with every day keeps me energized and engaged and passionate about this business!  I have also worked with a professionally trained mentor and coach who's candid feedback has been a gift!   The career achievement I am most proud of: I delivered a commencement address to a group of executive women and their direct supervisors a little over a year ago.  My daughter was in the audience and my other daughter with me in spirit.  It was a talk about leadership and transformational change and "imperfectness".  It ended with a message of being "selfless enough" to "share your fabulousness" with others!   It was a talk I was ill-equipped to make only a few years ago and a defining moment to walk the talk!  My daughters sent the most beautiful and touching notes.  THAT was a proud and humble moment.

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Mary Wright

Hannaford Supermarkets

Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy

I have been fortunate to have many exceptional mentors throughout my life, beginning with my parents.  They had high expectations for my brothers and me.  Gender never mattered. My parents stressed the importance of a good education, hard work, and personal responsibility.  They guided us to be independent, productive adults. Above all, they role modeled integrity, kindness, and compassion for others.  In particular, my father, a seasoned executive and retired business professor, continues to be a wonderful sounding board for me, and along with my husband, my greatest cheerleaders. I am most proud of my ability to spot talent in others and help them develop to their potential. I get immense satisfaction out of seeing someone I’ve worked with recognized for their contributions.  The most defining moment in my career occurred many years ago, when as an employee of Nestle Foods, I was given an opportunity to move from sales into marketing, igniting a career I continue to love.

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