New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) President & CEO Linda M. Doherty was named The Griffin Report’s 2016 Woman Executive of the Year. In their announcement, The Griffin Report stated Doherty has combined professionalism, food industry knowledge and the ability to effectively communicate her thoughts to become a well-respected leader of her organization. Doherty is NJFC’s longest serving President at 12 years.
Judy Spires, CEO of Kings Food Markets and New Jersey Food Council Chair said, “Working side by side with Linda, we have accomplished great milestones under her leadership including implementation of our Leadership Development Program, establishment of our Education Foundation, success in our gift card litigation and the effective emergency management response to Superstorm Sandy.
Her roots in the organization span almost a quarter century. Prior to her promotion by the NJFC Board of Directors, Doherty served as Executive Vice President and Vice President and also held the position of Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the association. This year, she celebrates her 23rd anniversary with NJFC.
Doherty served on Governor Christie’s Transition Team as a member of the Economic Growth and Development sub-committee. Doherty is former chair of the Food Industry Association of Executives Board of Directors, a national organization of state executives in the grocery and retail industry representing 95 percent of the grocery and food industry in the U.S. Doherty recently served on the Board of Directors of the National Grocers Association and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Clean Communities Council and sits on the board of NJPRO, New Jersey Public Research Organization.
Recently, the New Jersey Star Ledger, the state’s largest newspaper, listed NJFC as the sixth Most Impactful Trade Association in Trenton. Recognizing Doherty’s value to the organization, the NJFC Board of Directors will present her with a special “Excellence in Leadership Award” at its Night of Distinction on March 16 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey.
The New Jersey Food Council is the Garden State’s preeminent trade association representing over 1,500 members serving the retail, wholesale and manufacturing segments of the New Jersey food distribution industry.