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G F I A N E W S

GFIA is important to me personally because being a part of the GFIA family- and it is truly a family- has been very rewarding. I’ve worked in several other states, and the GFIA culture is unique and special. I have made great friends at our meetings, events and board retreats and we enjoy spend- ing time with them. Competitors by day, but friends when we gather with the GFIA. What advice would you give someone interested in volun- teering or even joining a GFIA committee or board? JUST DO IT! You will find it to be very rewarding and informational. You will be glad you did! The association is only as strong as our volunteers, so I would encourage every GFIA member company to definitely get involved. The value of your membership will multiply greatly when you become an active member! Why was coming back to Atlanta important to you? Coming back to Atlanta was very

been told that grandkids are the best thing to ever happen, and it is so true. My grandfather was a huge influence in my life. When I was just a young lad, he was teaching me “life things”. I want to be that grandfather for them, and I tell them both, “I will be your favorite”. Everyone thinks of Kroger as a huge corporation. Can you remind us how Kroger got started? In 1883, Bernard (“Barney”) Kroger invested his life savings of $372 to open a grocery store in a suburb of Cincinnati Ohio. Kroger was a former coffee and tea salesman and was the son of a grocer. He opened that first store, the “Great Western Tea Company” with a partner but bought him out two years later. In 1885, the company owned four stores. Barney Kroger could never have imagined the grocery busi- ness today!

What do you do in your downtime? Downtime? Seriously? This is the grocery business! Angie and I have a house on Hilton Head Island and when we get the chance to go there, we love the beach and boat time. We find it very relaxing. We both love to try new restaurants and experience different foods from different cultures. We also love to travel and be on the go. What is your perfect meal? Fried chicken, collard greens and mashed potatoes with creamed corn on top of the potatoes. That’s what

important and exciting. First, my chil- dren and grandchildren all live in the Atlanta area. Secondly, my wife grew up in Georgia and her family all live here. It’s been like coming home for Angie and me. Additionally, running the Atlanta divi- sion means a lot to me. It is one of our largest divisions with lots of geograph- ic diversity. I enjoy spending time in

Tim and Angie Brown

our stores throughout the entire division that includes North and South Georgia, Savannah, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee. The Atlanta division and our associates hold a special place in my heart and have from the first time I came here. Tell us more about your family. I am very lucky to be married to my beautiful wife Angie. She is there by my side every single day. She is an awesome life partner and a great person to bounce work things off. She gives me different perspectives from her past work experiences that are helpful. She is my rock and keeps me well-grounded and that’s important in this fast-paced indus- try. I have three wonderful adult children, Karen, Katy and Jake, and I’m very excited to be back close to them. It was 9 years before I was transferred back to Atlanta, and now get to spend time with not only my kids, but my beautiful baby granddaughters, Piper 5 and Amelia 9 months! I’ve long

my grandmother used to make for us on Sundays. (actually, Angie turned me on to the creamed corn on the potato thing) I think the best fried chicken is at a terrific restaurant called Southern Charm in Blueridge. I’m picky about my collard greens and they also make them wonderfully. We know you love to cook. What is your favorite meal that you prepare? I love to cook Italian food. Angie loves my veal parmesan, but my eggplant parmesan is my favorite. If you weren’t a grocer, what would your fantasy job be? My fantasy job if not a grocer would be professional golfer. I love the game and have played since age 12. (Although if you saw me play, you might question the length of time I have played :) I know that’s very hard work too, but I have a passion for the game and can’t wait to get back out on the course again in the future.

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“The Voice of the Food Industry in Georgia”