Wisconsin Dells, WI – The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) celebrated the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of Wisconsin’s grocery industry during its 2026 Awards Banquet on August 18 at the Wilderness Resort Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells. The banquet brought the WGA’s 2026 Innovation Expo to a close and recognized grocery leaders, employees, families, and industry partners from across the state. The annual WGA Awards honor excellence across five categories: Community Service, Excellence in Operations, Lifetime Achievement, Vendor of the Year, and Grocer of the Year. Multiple individuals or groups may be recognized in the Community Service, Excellence in Operations, and Lifetime Achievement categories, while one recipient is selected for both Vendor of the Year and Grocer of the Year. “This year’s WGA Innovation Expo celebrated grocers from across the state, and we are proud to host contests and recognize the accomplishments of Wisconsin’s grocery industry,” WGA Board of Directors Chair Steve Burkhardt said. “The Innovation Expo is where grocery owners, managers, future leaders, and directors come together to find real, actionable solutions, not just ideas.” Michelle Harrington of Albrecht’s Sentry Market was named the 2026 Grocer of the Year, the Wisconsin grocery industry’s highest honor. The award recognizes an individual whose career reflects exceptional leadership, achievement, and service within the grocery industry. Grocer of the Year honorees exemplify the highest standards of leadership in business and their communities, making a lasting and positive impact on the lives of others. Lipari Foods was named the 2026 Vendor of the Year. The award recognizes one vendor for its contributions as a valued grocery industry partner, helping grocers strategically merchandise products, drive sales, and strengthen performance across one or more store categories. Now in its second year, the WGA Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals whose long-standing dedication, leadership, and impact have helped advance Wisconsin’s grocery industry. The award celebrates careers defined by excellence, innovation, and service while recognizing individuals whose enduring contributions have benefited both the industry and their communities. The 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are:
John & Jean Blattner
Pat, Bob, and Lori Fox
Gary Gundlach
Tim & Kevin Metcalfe
Carl Miller
Trig Solberg
Dan Williamson
The Excellence in Operations Award recognizes individuals for their strong work ethic, commitment to the grocery industry, and efforts to positively influence their companies, associates, and customers. Recipients demonstrate exceptional leadership in both business and their communities. The 2026 Excellence in Operations Award recipients are:
Rob LaCroix of Metro Market
Mike Dion of Hometown Grocers, Inc.
Angie Miller of T.A. Solberg Co., Inc. (Trig’s)
Ron & Cathy Lamb of Lamb’s Fresh Market
Nathan Pederson of Main Street Market Piggly Wiggly
The Community Service Award recognizes individuals who make a meaningful difference in their communities through volunteerism and service. Recipients may serve at any level within a grocery organization and are honored for dedicating their time and talents to making their communities stronger. The 2026 Community Service Award recipients are:
Jacob Boehning of Pick ‘n Save
Dave Losiniecki of Piggly Wiggly – Racine
Aaron and Amy Laatsch of Laatsch’s Piggly Wiggly – Kewaskum
The Balistreri Family of Sendik’s Food Market
Nate Vollmer of T.A. Solberg Co., Inc. (Trig’s)
“These awards represent some of the very best in Wisconsin’s grocery industry, and we are grateful for the dedication these individuals and organizations demonstrate every day,” WGA President and CEO Mike Semmann said. “Their commitment to their companies, their communities, and the shoppers they serve reflects the essential role Wisconsin’s grocers play across our state. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and contributions.”
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