Meijer announced the winners of its 2022 Legacy Awards, recognizing seven individuals across the company for their impact on their teams, customers, and communities. Adrian, Mich. Meijer Store Director Ben Negron, received the 2022 Fred Meijer Award, the highest-level recognition a Meijer team member can receive.
This award is given annually to one individual who embodies the values and mission set forth by Fred Meijer, including leadership based on humility, generosity, and a passion for serving others.
The company also announced recipients of its first-ever Meijer Impact award, celebrating an exceptional team’s accomplishments and extraordinary acts of service.
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 241 supercenters throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.
“While a lot about retail has changed since we opened our doors in 1934, our focus on our customers, team members, and community has always endured,” Executive Chairman Hank Meijer said. “The Legacy Awards are the company’s highest honor, recognizing those individuals who are driving business results while living out the values our company was built on. These winners serve as role models for other team members now and in the future.”
Negron is described as a person with a heart for the people in his family, store, and community. An active participant in his community, he founded and served as the Executive Director of Hispanics of Lenawee Alliance (HOLA) and remains active in many Hispanic community events. He also serves on the Siena Heights University Board of Trustees and Lenawee Community Foundation Board of Directors.
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In 2021, he received the Lenawee Leadership Award for exemplifying the leadership quality that will determine Lenawee County’s future.
Within Meijer, Negron serves as a member of the communication committee for one of the retailer’s team member resource groups, called Mosaic, and drives team member participation at the store and market level. Mosaic supports advocacy and awareness for people of color, people with diverse backgrounds, and people of different cultures and communities.
“Ben Negron is well-respected by his Meijer team and is a dedicated advocate for the people of Adrian,” Meijer said. “Community members know Ben by name, and he never misses an opportunity to engage with people in meaningful ways. His natural abilities as a relationship-builder and the way he treats everyone he encounters with dignity and respect are very reminiscent of my father, Fred’s legacy. It’s an honor to present Ben Negron with the Fred Meijer Award.”
The company also celebrated six winners of the 2022 President’s Award, which acknowledges their significant business contributions in the last year. The winners are:
- Carol Bork, Cashier at the Washington Twp. Meijer in Washington Twp., Mich.
- Amy Chan, Office Manager in the Global Sourcing Office
- Ben Hamlin, Director of Own Brand Food in Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Dave Hoover, Director of Outbound Logistics in Lansing, Mich.
- Kyle Musser, Director of Distribution in Tipp City, Ohio
- Erik Petrovskis, Director of Environmental Compliance & Sustainability in Grand Rapids, Mich.
“This year’s President’s Award winners are inspiring because they demonstrate everyone has the ability to make a meaningful impact on the company’s success,” Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes said.
“What these individuals have in common is a commitment to living our company’s values every day, the earned respect of their peers and colleagues, and a passion for positively impacting our business. I’m honored to recognize their accomplishments,” Keyes added.
New this year is the Meijer Impact Award. Separate from the Legacy Awards, the Meijer Impact Award recognizes exceptional team accomplishments and extraordinary acts of service.
The entire Tipp City Distribution Center team was recognized for their response to the June 2022 tornado that struck the facility.
Keyes recognized the team’s quick response; they only had 10 minutes to react to an EF-2 tornado. After everyone’s safety was confirmed, the team worked swiftly to minimize disruptions and keep products flowing to stores. They also contacted local officials to offer support and resources toward local recovery efforts.
“Their quick activation of our severe weather protocols helped ensure everyone on the complex was safe from harm that day, and for that, we are grateful,” Keyes said. “The Tipp City team’s focus on team member safety, commitment to customers, and concern for the community all underscore why they deserve this recognition.”