Executive Leadership Award Recipients

Brian George leads Alex Lee, Inc., a family-owned company with a 95-year legacy in wholesale distribution and retail. Brian is known for championing a customer-centric approach. He regularly engages customers and consumers to gain insights that drive innovation and efficiency across the organization. Under his leadership, Alex Lee has expanded through acquisitions, brand transformations, and new product and service offerings.

Since joining Alex Lee in 2005, Brian has held a variety of leadership roles, including co-manager and store manager at Lowes Foods, manager of retail development, and vice president of sales at MDI. He became president in 2011, CEO in 2014, and chairman in 2018. Brian serves as immediate past chairman on the FMI Board of Directors.

In recognition of his excellence in serving the consumer, the community, and the industry, Brian is honored with the Sidney R. Rabb Award, and his commitment to leadership and service continues to shape the growth of Alex Lee, Inc.

Founded in 1956 by his father Tommy and uncles Joe and Gus, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc., has grown into a respected Canadian food retailer known for innovative retail strategies and imaginative merchandising, the very qualities recognized by the Robert B. Wegman Award. 

As executive chairman, Anthony Longo is renowned for his entrepreneurial leadership and a deep commitment to lifelong learning and community service. He serves on the boards of Aegis Brands, The Grocery Foundation, and The Baycrest Foundation, and previously chaired the Humber College Board of Governors, ProAction Cops and Kids, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. His contributions have been honored with the Spirit of the Independent Award (2012), the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013), the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award (2017), and Canada’s Most Admired CEO Enterprise (2019).

Rick Wright was a visionary leader and dedicated steward of Oregon’s local food community. As CEO of Market of Choice, Rick carried forward his family’s legacy, transforming a small discount grocery chain into Oregon’s largest independent, family-owned grocer. Under his leadership, Market of Choice grew to 12 stores, more than 1,400 employees, and over 7,000 locally made products, reflecting his belief that grocery stores should be engines of local economic growth.

Honored with the Robert B. Wegman Award for entrepreneurial leadership in retail strategy and imaginative merchandising, Rick redefined the role of the modern grocery store as a gathering place and champion of regional makers. He created opportunities for hundreds of Oregon producers and fostered a culture of mentorship, innovation, and genuine care among employees and vendors.

Beyond his work in the grocery industry, Rick was a generous philanthropist, serving on numerous boards and supporting nonprofits focused on food security, education, and the arts. His enduring legacy lives on in the company he built, the community he uplifted and the many lives he touched.

Pete Van Helden is executive chairman of Stater Bros. Markets, where his leadership has shaped the company since 2013. Pete began his supermarket career as a courtesy clerk at Rosauers Supermarket in 1976 and has held various leadership roles at Albertsons, Jewel/Osco, Supervalu, and Stater Bros. Markets, overseeing operations, merger integration, and strategic growth across the industry. He was promoted to CEO of Stater Bros. Markets in 2016 and appointed to executive chairman in 2025.

Honored with the Esther Peterson Award for a lifetime of vision, integrity, and caring sensitivity to the needs of retail food customers, Pete’s commitment to the grocery industry is reflected in his service on numerous boards and in his role as CEO of Stater Bros. Charities, the company’s charitable arm. Pete’s dedication to advancing the food industry and supporting communities continues to inspire those around him.