Food Lion names Store Manager of the Year
SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion named Wendy Thompson, store manager at its 2710 Roberts Ave. location in Lumberton, N.C., its 2016 Ralph W. Ketner Store Manager of the Year.
Thompson was honored at an event in Salisbury on Feb. 16. Also Food Lion’s Southern Division winner, she has been a Food Lion associate for 22 years, including 14 as a store manager.
"It is such an honor to receive this award and be able to bring it home to my store and my region," said Thompson. "2016 was an extraordinary year for my team and my peers. They endured and persevered through life-changing moments and came out better than ever. They make me a better person each and every day, and this award is for them."
The Store Manager of the Year award was renamed this year in honor of Ketner, Food Lion’s co-founder, who passed away in May 2016.
"The annual Store Manager of the Year event is one of my favorite days of the year, and I can't think of a better way to honor Mr. Ketner than naming this prestigious award after him," said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. "Our store managers bring to life our brand, our strategy and everything we do for our customers. Wendy does a tremendous job leading her team of associates and serving the community every day, especially during the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Whether it was her customers or her own store associates, Wendy was there for her associates and neighbors during this difficult time. We're so proud Wendy is a member of our Food Lion family, and we thank her for everything she does each and every day."
In honor Thompson, Food Lion donated $1,000 to Robeson House and $1,000 to Borderbelt AIDS Resource Team. Her store partners with both local feeding agencies throughout the year.
In addition to Thompson, Food Lion named four Division Store Manager Excellence award winners. They are: Jeff Estes, store manager at 1088 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, N.C.; Leslie Johnson, store manager at 5279 Roxboro Road in Durham, N.C.; Brandon Phillips, store manager at 1526 N. Bridge St. in Elkin, N.C.; and Matthew Webber, store manager at 78 Worchester Drive in Falling Waters, W. Va.