The golden pencil award
2016 Recipients Announced!
The nominating committee of the Food Industry Association of Canada received record response for nominations of the 2016 Golden Pencil Award, the grocery industry's highest honour. The association's chairman, Paul Higgins Jr, of Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Inc., announced that this year's recipients are:
Michael McCain is President and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leaf Foods
Michael McCain is President and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada’s flagship food companies. Michael has devoted his career to the food industry, starting at McCain Foods in the late ‘70’s as a retail salesperson in London Ontario, and subsequently held a variety of roles culminating in his appointment as President and CEO of McCain Foods USA. He joined Maple Leaf Foods in 1995. Since then, he and the management team have established a strong values-based culture defined by its integrity, transparency and resiliency, and led the company to overcome challenges that have tested the Canadian food industry. This involved a bold transformation and investment of over a billion dollars in new assets and technologies to establish Maple Leaf as a world class, highly competitive food processor. The company is now embarking on an ambitious sustainability strategy to create business value through delivering environmental and social value. Throughout his career, Michael has sought to maintain his professional roots in a deep relationship with his customers.
Michael is a director of McCain Capital, Maple Leaf Foods and the Royal Bank of Canada. He is a member of the Richard Ivey School of Business Advisory Board and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation, where he is a passionate advocate for transparency and action on mental health issues.
Born in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Michael attended Mount Allison University and received an Honours Business Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario. He also holds Honorary Degrees from Brock University, Carleton University and Guelph University. He is devoted to his five children and family which occupies most of his down time, and lives in Toronto.
Vince Scorniaenchi, Executive Vice President of Fortinos Supermarkets
Vince Scorniaenchi is the Executive Vice President of Fortinos Supermarkets, which celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2016. The son of Tony Scorniaenchi, one of eight original Fortinos partners, Vince has been with the company for 43 years, working his way up through the ranks to his current leadership position. Vince’s mentor was founder John Fortino, who built the company on the values of honesty, modesty, hard work, and respect for family, values that still serve as the guiding principles for today’s 6000 employees.
Vince was instrumental in the strategic decision in 1988 to franchise Fortinos stores, a decision that has become a cornerstone of the company’s ongoing success. Under Vince’s leadership, the company operates the largest franchised stores in North America. Each store runs as a separate family business, sharing one set of franchisor core values, which contributes to exceptionally high average store volumes. The sale of Fortinos to Loblaws was a seamless transition thanks to the Weston family commitment to allow Fortinos to operate independently.
Vince is a ground breaker in innovative concepts and store design. The recent rollout of Pane Fresco, Fortinos fresh gourmet foods-to-go, is unparalleled in the industry, with sales already exceeding many of the traditional departments of a typical supermarket. In 2015, Fortinos was rated number 1 in Ontario in a customer perception survey conducted by a third party polling company.
Vince received the award for Excellence in Business from the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association (CIBPA) in 2012. At the heart of Fortinos charity outreach and passionately championed by Vince is the huge commitment to local communities. Fundraising for foodbanks, schools, non-profit organizations, and individual store initiatives are an integral part of the Fortinos culture. Vince and his wife Elisa love travelling, especially their annual trip with their children, Natasha, Jennifer and David, sons-in-law Steven and Matt, and grandchildren Sienna, Ellie and Carter. Vince loves golf, and also collects wine, a particular pleasure when his golf score climbs above 100.
Recognizing Canadians for Outstanding Service in the Food Industry
The Golden Pencil Award was first presented in 1957 by The Food Industry Association of Canada. This Award was initiated to recognize the efforts of both buyer and seller in developing and improving the Canadian Food Industry. The symbol used for this Award is a “Golden Pencil”, signifying the transaction between supplier and retailer by the stroke of a pen.
On an annual basis, the Nominations Committee reviews suggestions made by both the Executive Committee and the industry at large. The selection process normally will encompass as many as sixty to seventy worthy candidates. The criteria for selection is an individual who, through career dedication, has made a significant and worthwhile contribution to the Canadian Food Industry.
The Executive Committee is comprised of active senior executives representing suppliers, brokers, food processors, wholesalers and retailers. View the complete 2016 Executive Committee.
The Golden Pencil Award was first presented in 1957 by The Food Industry Association of Canada. This Award was initiated to recognize the efforts of both buyer and seller in developing and improving the Canadian Food Industry. The symbol used for this Award is a “Golden Pencil”, signifying the transaction between supplier and retailer by the stroke of a pen.
On an annual basis, the Nominations Committee reviews suggestions made by both the Executive Committee and the industry at large. The selection process normally will encompass as many as sixty to seventy worthy candidates. The criteria for selection is an individual who, through career dedication, has made a significant and worthwhile contribution to the Canadian Food Industry.
The Executive Committee is comprised of active senior executives representing suppliers, brokers, food processors, wholesalers and retailers. View the complete 2016 Executive Committee.
2016 Awards Ceremony
This year's awards ceremony will take place on:
Monday, November 14, 2016
5:00pm to 7:00pm
Purchase your event tickets now.
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Concert Hall
100 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Map
The Royal York is offering our event attendees a preferred hotel room rate.
Rate applies to the nights of November 11-18, 2016. Subject to availability.
To reserve a room, you may call Reservations Department at 1-800-663-7229 or book on-line For the preferred rate you must quote group name Golden Pencil or group code 919660
