Wisconsin Grocers Association: Who We Are


		The WGA Mission \| What We Do \| WGA Staff \| WGA Board \| Feedback From Assoc.

In 1900, grocers banded together to form a group to represent the state's grocery industry. That group became the Wisconsin Grocers Association. Since then, the issues facing the WGA have changed. It's mission however remains the same: to provide a powerful voice for Wisconsin grocers, wholesalers, brokers, convenience stores, suppliers and manufacturers. Together, we move forward to meet the needs of a changing and dynamic industry.

WGA MISSION The Wisconsin Grocers Association is historically committed to promoting and strengthening the food industry from suppliers and wholesalers to retailers with the same dedication and work ethic exemplified by our members. The Association is entrusted to represent the entire industry and to ensure that its members are fortified by a strong, growing and vibrant membership representing every community in Wisconsin. The Association is the coalescing leader representing the membership in legislative and regulatory efforts by proactively supporting sound public policies while at the same time working to limit the adverse impacts of intrusive and overzealous government regulations. The Association continually strives to provide broad communication to educate and enlighten members advocating our issues and objectives while serving as a unified voice to those who look to the Association for guidance and direction. The Association operates on sound fiscal and management policies dedicating its resources to provide superior legislative services, communications, education, benefits and programs tailored to our members. The Wisconsin Grocers Association exists to serve its members.

WHAT WE DO Legislative Programs WGA reviews, analyzes and monitors more than 200 pieces of legislation annually. Each year, approximately one of every 10 pieces of all proposed legislation directly affects the grocery industry. WGA actively supports or opposes these bills. To effectively pass legislation or change a bill, hundreds of hours are spent meeting with legislators, attending committee hearings, testifying and building coalitions with other affected industries. WGA members can play a critical role in helping to elect pro-grocery legislators by making a personal contribution to the Grocers PAC or to the Wisconsin Grocer Political Fund. As members of the Legislative Council (LC) or the WGA Conduit, members can direct their contributions to legislators of their choice or join other WGA members to show strong support for specific legislators. This is an important participatorial activity for WGA members. Legislative and Regulatory Agencies WGA monitors and provides assistance to retailers and suppliers on concerns with regulations or regulatory agencies at the local, state and federal level. There are more than 20 different state and federal agencies that have a direct impact on the retail food and grocery industry. The WGA works with these agencies who enforce these statutory codes and regulations: Food Safety Privacy Issues Lottery Sales and Reimbursements Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) WIC Recycling Requirements and Surcharge Unemployment Compensation Sales Tax Payroll and Employment Taxes Employee/Employer Compliance/Complaints Workplace Safety ID Liquor Sales Alcohol & Tobacco Compliance Local Signage Regulation Labor/Workforce Regulations Health Care Utility Issues Grassroots Initiatives The WGA will engage the Grocers Grassroots Initiative, a program to maximize the time WGA members have to impact the legislature. Organizing letters, phone calls, petitions and meetings are key elements to deliver the food industry's position on legislative and regulatory efforts. WGA members should plan to join the Legislative Council and recruit one additional member for the Council. As a LC member, WGA members can ensure that their specific interests and concerns are embedded in WGA's legislative initiatives and policies. In addition, they can determine the level of activity they choose in formulating and advancing WGA's position with legislators and elected officials. Federal Issues WGA provides Wisconsin grassroots support on key federal issues in support of national association activities such as: Federal Inspections and Label Regulations Electric Utility Deregulation Balanced Budget and Tax Reform OSHA Reform Estate and Capital Gains Tax Food Safety Inspection Regulations Regulatory Reform Welfare Issues EBT and WIC Regulations Tax Increase Member Involvement The WGA creates special committees, comprised of retailers, suppliers and wholesalers statewide to address specific issues facing the grocery industry. These committees include: Legislative Council WIC Retailer Advisory Committee Food Safety Task Force Scholarship Foundation Human Resources Share Group Media & Information Services Keeping members and the public informed of grocery industry issues is a huge commitment - a commitment the association meets through the following programs: Wisconsin Grocer magazine Capitol Happenings newsletter Bulletins and Alerts - keep members informed on fast-breaking issues Guest editorials Score newsletter News releases Bimonthly mailings Editorial boards Education Summer Retreat WGA conducts one of the largest state grocery industry conventions in the region. The convention features nationally known speakers, great entertainment and the the chance to start or renew relations with retailers and wholesalers from around Wisconsin. Education & Scholarship Foundation Grants, donations, bequests and gifts from the grocery industry help the foundation provide tuition funds for students who are outstanding employees of WGA member stores. The foundation is partially funded by the WGA Golf Outing, the largest WGA social gathering of grocers outside the WGA Convention and Expo. Educational Conferences Grocery industry leaders are educated on important issues as they arise. Past conferences have addressed employee safety and crime prevention, government relations, the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act, harassment, wage and hour regulations, OSHA regulations, employee discrimination, workforce employment and home meal replacement. Retail Services WGA provides the following retail services: Signage for mandatory state and federal employee postings (including minimum wage) Liquor Liability Booklets Bad Check Manual Long distance telephone group discount program Retail Theft/Bad Check collection program Coupon program OSHA kit Market and Survey Research Programs Legal Advocacy Legal Advocacy is done on behalf of the industry as necessary. Recent examples include: Legal interpretation on legislation Legal issue research Legal referral Personal Service A WGA Field Representative serves members with one-on-one visits, updating stores on the latest WGA information and services.

WGA STAFF
		Brandon Scholz - President & CEO, E-Mail: brandon@wisconsingrocers.com Brandon Scholz oversees the WGA's programs and operations and serves as the association's chief lobbyist in Wisconsin and Washington, DC and as the main spokesperson on legislative issues, administrative policies and industry concerns. Scholz directs the WGA's staff on administrative matters; member benefits and programs; communications; government affairs; grassroots and political programs; and the annual convention and trade show. He serves on the WGA's Education and Scholarship Foundation Board of Governors.

		Michelle Kussow - VP-Govt Affairs & Comm., E-Mail: mkussow@wisconsingrocers.com Michelle Kussow is responsible for developing and maintaining the Grocers Grassroots Initiative legislative program for the WGA. Her duties include researching positions and tracking legislation on federal and state issues, lobbying on behalf of WGA members in the legislature and providing necessary information to WGA members so they can understand and play an active role in the political process. She also manages the WGA PAC and Conduit political support programs, organizes Government Day and writes and edits the Capitol Happenings. Michelle is responsible for the communications aspects of the association, including press releases and publications of the bi-monthly Wisconsin Grocer magazine.

		Sarah Decorah - Office Administrator, E-Mail: sdecorah@wisconsingrocers.com Sarah Decorah serves as the assistant to the WGA president on all administrative duties and an immediate point of contact for members. The responsibilities include assisting with all record-keeping functions, reviewing mail, handling member requests for information and maintaining accounts payable records. Sarah coordinates the WGA coupon redemption service and maintains membership files and the coordination of the annual membership dues program.

		Cheryl Lytle - Events Director, E-Mail: cheryl@wisconsingrocers.com Cheryl Friske is in charge of the WGA's Summer Retreat, including sponsorships, promotions, programming and management of the event. Cheryl manages the annual WGA Golf Outing as well as the silent auctions and other fundraising events. In addition, Cheryl serves as the WGA's point of contact for magazine ad sales and assists in the production and publication of the Wisconsin Grocer magazine.



WGA BOARD

		Lee Guenther - Chairman Lee Guenther is President and Chief Operating Officer for T.A. Solberg Co. Inc., parent company for Trig's Food Stores in Minocqua, Eagle River, Rhinelander, Wausau and Trig's County Market in Stevens Point. T.A. Solberg Company also owns and operates 6 (six) Trig's Shell Convenience Stores and Tula's Café in Minocqua, WI. Guenther, 56, started his career as a bagger for Hall's Red Owl in Schofield and will celebrated 40 years in the industry on April 1, 2008. He also Chairs the Board for Discover Mediaworks, a Madison based company that produces and airs the Discover Wisconsin T.V. series.

		Brad Brooks - Vice Chairman Brad Brooks serves as the Retail Supervisor for Affiliated Foods Midwest's Eastern Region, which includes the state of Wisconsin. Affiliated Foods Midwest services over 800 independent retailers in 12 Midwestern states and currently services 21 stores in the State of Wisconsin. Brad has nearly 40 years in the grocery industry at all levels and has worked at Affiliated for the last 14 years as a Private Label Rep, Retail Counselor, and currently as a Retail Supervisor for the Eastern Region. Brad and his wife, Polly, reside in Norfolk, NE. and have twin grown sons, Todd and Troy.

		William Dowling - Secretary/Treasurer Bill Dowling is Vice President, Corporate Counsel for Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc. owns and operates 153 retail grocery stores in Wisconsin and Minnesota under the Pick �n Save, Copps Food Center, and Rainbow Foods banners. In addition, Roundy's operates three distribution centers, all in Wisconsin, including a new 1.1 million square foot facility opened in April, 2005. Prior to joining Roundy's in July of 2005, Bill was an attorney with Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek and represented Roundy's in several matters. Bill and his wife, Maureen, reside in New Berlin with their three children, Katie, Bill and Marie.

		Gary Bickmore -Director Gary Bickmore is the Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Nash Finch Co. He was promoted to this position in September, 2007. Bickmore, who has more than 26 years of experience in food distribution and grocery retailing, joined Nash Finch in 2002. Since then he has served as division manager of the Lima and Bellefontaine, Ohio, divisions. Before coming to Nash Finch, Bickmore held positions as a division president and sales and marketing director at Fleming Cos.


		Mike Coppersmith - Director Mike Coppersmith is co-owner and president of Festival Foods in New London . In 1975 Mike started working for his dad, Lloyd (of Ron & Lloyd's), bagging groceries and cleaning up the meat department. He then attended vocational school to learn the meat-cutting trade. After graduating, he held several positions with Ron & Lloyd's before he and his brother Ted bought the store in 1977. In 1999 Mike and Ted built and opened a 45,000 square foot Festival Foods . Mike serves on the Board of Directors for the First State Bank in New London and is a member of the New London Police and Fire Commission, and in his free time enjoys golf and hunting. Mike and his wife Jody have two children.

		Karen Godin - Director Karen started in the grocery business as a high school student working at Burlington Sentry Foods in 1969. She and her husband, Paul, bought their own store in 1994 and Godin's Piggly Wiggly in Mequon has been operating since. In 2002, the Mequon/Thiensville Chamber of Commerce awarded Godin's Piggly Wiggly Business of the Year. Karen and Paul live in Mequon and have two grown children.

		Steve Loehr - Director Steve Loehr is Vice President, Support Operations, for Kwik Trip, a 365 store convenience store chain headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Prior to Kwik Trip, Steve held a variety of positions at Gateway Foods, including President of Gateway Foods, Pennsylvania. Have been involved on many boards, including Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers, La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, Martin Luther College, and St.Paul's Lutheran Church. Steve is married to Cheryl, and has four kids and 4 grandchildren.

		Paul Lucas - Director Paul Lucas is Regional Director - State Government Affairs for Miller Brewing Company. Prior to this position, Paul was the Regional Director of State Government Affairs for Philip Morris Management Company and was responsible for all beer, food and tobacco issues in a region consisting of Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota.

		Steve Marchewka - Director Bio Forthcoming

		Tim Metcalfe- Director Tim Metcalfe is the President and Co-Owner of Metcalfe Markets, operating grocery stores in the Madison, Brookfield, and Wauwatosa markets. Tim is a fourth generation grocer. Tim and his brother Kevin purchased the family business back in 2000 from their father and past WGA President Tom Metcalfe. Along with serving on the WGA Board, Tim currently serves on the board of FMI, and is a member of the Retailer Advisory Board with SuperValu Pleasant Prairie Division.

		Kevin Morris - Director As vice president of public affairs and communications for Coca-Cola Enterprises Bottling Companies, Kevin Morris is responsible for government relations, corporate responsibility and sustainability, public relations, media relations, and community affairs. Prior to joining Coca-Cola in 1990, Morris worked as director of public affairs for American National Can in Chicago , Illinois and has also served on the staff of former U.S. Representative John Porter of Illinois . Morris is on the Wisconsin Independent College Foundation board, the National Institute on Media and the Family board, and the Wisconsin Retail Merchants Federation board. Morris resides in Lake Bluff , Illinois with his wife Cheri and daughters Megan and Colleen.

		Dave Ryman - Director Dave Ryman is Director of Sales for Certco, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin. Certco, Inc. is a full-service, wholesale distributor to independent supermarkets throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northern Illinois and Eastern Iowa. Certco is a customer owned company distributing Shurfine and Shurfresh brand private label products since 1930. Dave serves on the Convention Committee.

		Toby Spangler - Director Toby Spangler is the district director for Altria Corporate Services, Inc., state government affairs serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota. His lobbying experience includes clients such as, The Smokeless Tobacco Council, RJR-Nabisco, Time-Warner, Tenneco, AT & T, and Procter and Gamble. Toby graduated from teh University of California, Santa Barba and lives in Madison with his wife Amy and their daughter Lauren.

		Dave Spiegelhoff - Director Dave Spiegelhoff is the Director of Operations for Spiegelhoff's Super Food Market, Inc. He is a third generation of Spiegelhoffs and has worked for over 40 years in the family business. In 1991, Dave was appointed Director of Operations. Currently, the family-owned business owns several stores with a goal to grow to 10�12 stores in the future. Dave and his wife Kathy have three children and reside in Burlington. Dave is an active member of the WGA as a member of the Legislative Council and is currently serving his third year as chairman of the WGA Scholarship Golf Outing

		*Aija Upite - Director* Aija Upite became the Area Marketing Director for SUPERVALU's Pleasant Prairie Distribution Center in November, 2003. Aija began her career at SUPERVALU in 1990 in advertising at the Great Lakes Division in Pleasant Prairie. In 1995, Aija transferred to the Billings Division in Billings, Montana as Advertising Manager. Two years later she transferred to Northwest Region in Tacoma, Washington as Account Manager. In 1998 Aija transferred back to Pleasant Prairie as Advertising Director for the Midwest Region. In April 2000, Aija was promoted to Director of Bakery/Deli for the Midwest Region and later assumed responsibility for Bakery/Deli for the Southeast Region. Aija held this position until she accepted the position of Area Marketing Director in 2003. In her current role, Aija works with the independent retailers supplied by the Pleasant Prairie Distribution Center, including the Sentry Franchise Group, County Market and Supervalu shield retailers. Aija has a B.F.A from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and resides in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.

		Dave Hegenbarth - Past Chairman Dave Hegenbarth is currently the President and CEO of Hegenbarth Food Group which owns and operates Piggly Wiggly stores in Galesville, LaCrosse, Sparta and Arcadia, and a Pig Stop Convenience Store in Galesville. Dave has been in the grocery business since 1976. In 1993 he built his first supermarket in Iowa. In 1998, the Hegenbarth Food Group purchased two stores in the LaCrosse area and purchased the Sparta location in the Summer of 2000 followed with Arcadia in 2002. The Pig Stop in Galesville opened in December, 2004. Dave and his wife, Barb, reside in Galesville with their two sons.

FEEDBACK FROM OUR ASSOCIATES "You can really count on the WGA to watch over legislative and regulatory affairs. The WGA is our conduit to the legislative process and have their hands on the pulse of the Capitol. Because of the WGA, we've got instant access to state government. So much of what goes on in the Capitol and Washington, DC really affects our business, our employees and our customers." - Tim Metcalfe, Sentry Hilldale, Madison "I would like to urge my fellow grocers to join the WGA Legislative Council. We have the visibility in our communities to be leaders and to help shape public opinion." - Mark Stellpflug, Stell's Piggly Wiggly, New Holstein "Stewarts Coffee is proud to be a supporter of WGA and the WGA Education & Scholarship Foundation. It is organizations such as WGA that make it possible for manufacturers to understand the needs of the retailers and the suppliers. WGA does an excellent job of bringing all parties to the table and really excels in communication. We are happy to be associated with the WGA." - Dave Petersen, Stewarts Private Blend Foods, Chicago
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