At its Annual Membership Meeting this week, the New Jersey Food Council selected Richard Saker as its new Chairman of the Board of two one year terms. Saker, who is Chairman, President and CEO of Saker Holdings Corporation and Saker ShopRites, Inc., will lead New Jersey’s largest food industry trade association.
Having previously served as NJFC Vice Chair, Saker, a resident of Middletown, was installed as Chairman by New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. His ascension to the Chairmanship has historical significance, as his father, Joe Saker, was a founder and served as the first Chairman of the Board of NJFC in 1969.
NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty remarked on the historical precedence of Saker’s chairmanship, which commemorates the first time a next generation family member has led the statewide trade association.
“The New Jersey Food Council was born in the living room of the Saker Family when Richard’s father Joe Saker and a group of supermarket pioneers recognized the need for the food retail industry to have one common and unified voice in Trenton,” said Doherty. “Almost 50 years later, Richard carries his father’s legacy as he takes the helm as the nineteenth NJFC Chairman of the Board. Under Richard’s leadership, we are confident the Association will continue to grow and promote the interests of food retailers before state and federal government in this dynamic business environment.”
Richard Saker is owner and operator of 30 ShopRite Supermarkets, 29 pharmacies, 2 liquor stores, and Dearborn Market and Garden Center. Saker ShopRites is one of the highest average volume per store supermarket chains in the country, employing nearly 9,000 associates.
“I am honored to be selected as Chairman of the New Jersey Food Council, which has grown to be one of the most effective business associations in Trenton and one of the strongest food associations in the country,” said Saker. “Now more than ever, it is critical that large grocery stores and small, independent food retailers and our supplier partners work together and speak with one voice on economic growth policies.”
Also joining Richard as officers in 2017 are Vice Chair Mike Murphy, Senior Vice President of QuickChek Corporation and Secretary Joe Sofia, Senior Vice President of Wegmans Food Markets. Associate Vice Chair Joe McCarthy, Vice President Metro Atlantic of Bimbo Bakeries, and Treasurer Mike Rothwell, Vice President and General Manager of Pennington Quality Market, will continue in their roles for another term. Judy Spires, CEO of Kings Food Markets, steps down after completing three successful terms as Chair.
“With the new Trump Administration in Washington DC and the upcoming NJ gubernatorial election in 2017, the food industry faces the potential for both new opportunities and new challenges,” Doherty continued. “We are certain the membership will rally behind Richard and the new executive team and provide the support, attention and action necessary to promote the interests of New Jersey’s food retailers.”
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Check out the highlights of the event in the video below!