FORT LEE, Va., 2014-6-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — Phyllis Black, store director at Cherry Point Commissary, N.C., and Donna Chew, assistant store director at McGuire Commissary, Lakehurst, N.J., have been chosen by Progressive Grocer magazine as two of the Top Women in Grocery for 2014.
“Phyllis and Donna have long been shining stars in our business,” said Joseph H. Jeu, DeCA director and CEO. “Their leadership, creativity, hard work and mentoring activities reflect well on DeCA and the grocery business at large. I’m so proud of their accomplishments.”
For eight years, Progressive Grocer’s awards program has honored the integral role women play across all areas of the dynamic retail food industry.
This year, Black and Chew were selected in the senior-level executive category. This is only the second year DeCA employees have been chosen; last year, Joyce Chandler, who retired as chief of DeCA’s perishable division, was selected, also as a senior-level executive.
“I am so excited to be among the elite group of women chosen to receive this award,” said Black. “I have never strived for personal recognition and have been satisfied to have any store I have ever been assigned to receive recognition for the team efforts that the employees display on a daily basis. The employees who have worked alongside me have contributed a great deal to my receiving this award. I would not have been as successful without the support I have received from all of them over the years.”
“I’m humbled and thankful to be selected for such a prestigious award,” said Chew. “It honestly is a privilege to serve my community of deserving military patrons, and I feel very fortunate to be recognized for doing the job I love. I have a great team that supports me and a dedicated, inspiring mentor who constantly challenges me to grow in an atmosphere that allows me to do what I love for the most deserving customers in the world.”
Black, Chew and the other recipients are featured in Progressive Grocer’s June 2014 issue. Progressive Grocer will host a gala awards celebration for the recipients this fall.
NOTE: For photos of Phyllis Black and Donna Chew, go to our Flickr page.
About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5–percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. Shoppers save an average of more than 30 percent on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings amounting to thousands of dollars annually. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.
Media Contact:
Kevin L. Robinson
(804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773
kevin.robinson@deca.mil