David Cooper Named Food Lion’s 2015 Store Manager of the Year
Food Lion has named David Cooper its 2015 Store Manager of the Year. Cooper, manager of a store in Raleigh, N.C., was chosen from among 1,100 store managers across the Salisbury, N.C.-based company.
His store was one of 162 in the Raleigh area remodeled last year as part of the banner’s Easy, Fresh and Affordable…You Can Count on Food Lion Every Day strategy.
"When I reflect on 2015, it was one of the most demanding, yet rewarding, years in my career," noted Cooper. “Receiving this award is less about me and more about my team, who helped our store excel last year. I’m truly humbled to be their leader and so proud of this achievement for our entire store for taking care of our customers and the community.”
"Our store managers are the heartbeat of our organization and represent the towns and cities we serve,” said Food Lion President Meg Ham. “This is where our brand, our strategy and everything we do comes to life for our customers. Our associates are extremely loyal to our organization, and we are so fortunate to have tremendous leaders across all of our 1,100 stores. David is an exceptional leader and demonstrates care for his customers and communities. His store team embodies our culture and values and we know we can count on them to serve our customers and communities, with excellence, every day.”
Originally from Savannah, Ga., Cooper is also Food Lion's 2015 Mid-Atlantic division winner. He joined the company in Pooler, Ga., 25 years ago as a dairy clerk. During his time at the banner, he has risen through the ranks as a produce manager, grocery manager and store manager.
In honor of Cooper and his community service, Food Lion is donating $2,000 to the store’s local anti-hunger organization, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, which Cooper and his team support year-round.
Along with Cooper, four other store managers were recognized for exceptional leadership. The 2015 Division Store Manager Excellence Award recipients are Cheryl Collins, Ocean City, Md.; Kim Rollins, Mint Hill, N.C.; Christopher Hardee, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and Tony Allred, Asheboro, N.C. Food Lion will donate $1,000 to each of the feeding agencies served by these stores.
Videos featuring the award winners can be viewed online.
A company of Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Brussels-based Delhaize Group, Food Lion operates stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, and employs more than 65,000 associates.