2021_Alabama_Grocer_Issue_3

CHAIR’ S MESSAGE

L e t ' s Wra p U p 2 0 2 1

HAROLD GARRETT GATEWAY FOODS AGA CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

It’s Fall y’all!

As this Pandemic lingers, 2021 has been a year of finding opportunities disguised as obstacles. Our industry has been quick to respond, and we have seen that when a wall goes up, we will always find a way around it and be better and stronger on the other side. Please make plans to join us in 2022 to support YOUR Association! 2022 Association Events: • February 3rd – Buy Alabama’s Best Retailer Luncheon – The Club, Birmingham, AL • April 7th – AGEF Spring Golf Outing - Inverness Country Club, Birmingham, AL • July 24-27th – AGA Annual Convention – Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort • October 13th – AGEF Fall Clay Shoot – Selwood Farms, Alpine, AL • October 27th – Alabama’s Food Industry Finest – The Club, Birmingham, AL Keep up the good work, and good luck to everyone, hope everyone finishes 2021 on a good note! ■

First, let me say how proud and excited I am to be chosen as your chairman for the next 2 years, it is my honor to serve. Looking back on 2021 so far, it seems that things are getting back to some resemblance of normal. The Convention was a huge success this year. Our numbers were back up to 2019 and we look forward to growing this event in 2022. The Foundation also did well this year with the Spring Golf and Fall Clay Shoot outings which were both very successful, thanks to all who were involved in these events. Our last event for 2021 was the Food Industry Finest Luncheon which Governor Kay Ivey spoke at and we had a chance to honor the Retailer, Wholesaler & Vendor of the Year. Congratulations to those winners; they deserve this recognition for the fantastic job they do! • Mr. Bill Davis, A & R Super Markets, Inc, Retailer of the year • Mr. Kirk Clark, Mitchell Grocery Corporation, Wholesaler of the year • Mr. Bo Taylor, Coca Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Vendor of the year

I would like to take a minute to recognize all the newly elected Board Members and thank them in advance for serving our membership. I am looking forward to working with each and everyone of them over the next couple years. New Board Members: • Alison Howell Steineker, Alabama Power Company • Gerry D’Alessandro, Fourth Ave. Supermarkets • Jerry McCann, Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. • Paul Burnett, Byars | Wright Insurance • Lucy Greer, Autry Greer & Son’s • Lynn Rushing, Winn Dixie Also, Mr. Bob Crawford, United Johnson Brothers, will be serving as our new Vice Chairman. I would also like to recognize Ellie, Jessica, and Katie! This year our staff has made great strides with the AGA Community app and all our social media platforms. They do a great job of keeping us up to date on what’s going on in our industry, as well as keeping us informed on local news and activities that relate to our businesses.

ALABAMA GROCER | 7