CGA Names Hall of Achievement Inductees

The California Grocers Association (CGA) will induct Jim Lee, president and COO, Stater Bros. Markets and Vic Chiono, VP of sales, West U.S., Coca-Cola Refreshments, into its Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement on Thursday, April 11, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, Calif.

“This year’s inductees are true icons of our industry,” said CGAEF president Ronald Fong. “Their unwavering dedication to the success of our industry, and their unselfish and devoted commitment to the communities they serve make both individuals worthy recipients of this year’s award.”

The Foundation’s Hall of Achievement was created in 1993 and recognizes California grocery retailers and suppliers who have contributed substantially to the advancement of the grocery industry.

Lee joined Stater Bros. as group SVP of retail operations in 2002, bringing to the company over 30 years of supermarket experience. Headquartered in San Bernardino, Calif., Stater Bros. is the largest privately owned supermarket chain based in Southern California with 167 stores and over 18,000 employees.

Lee began his grocery career with Ralphs Grocery Company in 1972 as a clerk’s helper. He was promoted to various positions during his 25 years at the company, including store manager; district manager; VP of store operations administration; and VP of store operations, Northern Division and Southern Divisions. His last position with Ralphs was group VP of the Central Division.

Prior to joining Stater Bros., Lee was president and COO of Boulder, Colo.-based Wild Oats Markets, Inc., from 1996 to 2001, which at the time was the second largest chain of natural foods supermarkets in North America. During his time with Wild Oats, he helped the company “go public” and oversaw a 600 percent increase in sales.

Chiono is area VP of sales for Coca-Cola Refreshments, with responsibilities for the Central and West United States. He has been in sales and sales marketing for over 36 years, having completed over 26 years within Coca-Cola, holding numerous sales and management positions.

Chiono got started in the grocery industry at age 10 sorting bottles and sweeping the parking lots of his father’s Safeway store, where he worked through high school and college as a checker and shelf stocker. After graduating from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he started his career by joining Unilever as a sales representative selling food, health and beauty products to 135 retail stores.

In 1987, after obtaining several management positions within Unilever, he joined Coca-Cola where he has enjoyed a successful career selling all Minute Maid, Gold Peak, Simply Beverages, and juice drink products. Most of his sales background has been working with retailers throughout the United States. From 1996 to 1999, he shifted his focus to the Food Service division establishing Minute Maid products as a staple in restaurants, theme parks, and hotel chains.