The golden pencil award
The Food Industry Association of Canada
2023 Golden Pencil Awards
Welcoming nominations for this year's award
Submit your nomination entry by May 26, 2023
Golden Pencil Grocery Connex event
Monday, November 20, 2023
Registration coming soon
Welcoming nominations for this year's award
Submit your nomination entry by May 26, 2023
Golden Pencil Grocery Connex event
Monday, November 20, 2023
Registration coming soon
Golden Pencil 2022 Award Honourees
Carmen Fortino
Executive Vice-President, Ontario division and National Supply Chain
Metro Inc.
Carmen Fortino comes from a family of grocers who inspired his passion for the industry. His retail career started in 1973 while working part-time for Tamblyn Drug Stores eventually moving on to Dominion.
In 1985 he joined his family business as Manager, Procurement & Merchandising at Fortinos Supermarkets Ltd. Carmen held several positions with increasing responsibility during his tenure. Additionally he held various senior roles at Loblaw when Fortinos was acquired, including EVP Zehrs Markets, SVP Supply Chain and Logistics Ontario East. He completed his time at Loblaw as Executive Vice President, Ontario Region.
In 2007, Carmen moved to the Health and Wellness sector and spent seven years in leadership roles, including his role as President of Atrium Innovations, North America. Carmen was not planning to return to the food industry until a fateful, four-hour meeting with Eric La Flèche, President and CEO, METRO Inc., changed his mind. The two found common ground and shared similar values and passion for the customer.
In September 2014, Carmen went back to his grocer roots and joined METRO Inc. as Senior Vice President and Metro Ontario Division Head, where he is now leading a team of over 32,000 people and overseeing the day-to-day operations of Metro and Food Basics stores across Ontario. In 2019, he was appointed Executive Vice President, Metro Ontario Division Head and National Supply Chain.
Carmen's professional accomplishments have earned him numerous awards and accolades. A proud first generation Italian-Canadian, Carmen received the Pentola d’Oro award in 2016, presented by the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario. In 2021, he was inducted into the Grocery Business Hall of Fame in the inaugural class. Most recently, in April 2022, Carmen was recognized with a Report on Business Best Executive Award, an annual celebration of 50 exceptional Canadian leaders.
From the early beginnings at the Fortinos family business, Carmen’s pride and joy has always been his family. Carmen and his wife Sue have been happily married for 41 years and have two sons, Jason and Marcus, who have now made them proud grandparents of five grandchildren aged four and under. When he’s not travelling with family or friends, you can find him on the golf course, cycling, or spending time with his grandchildren.
Executive Vice-President, Ontario division and National Supply Chain
Metro Inc.
Carmen Fortino comes from a family of grocers who inspired his passion for the industry. His retail career started in 1973 while working part-time for Tamblyn Drug Stores eventually moving on to Dominion.
In 1985 he joined his family business as Manager, Procurement & Merchandising at Fortinos Supermarkets Ltd. Carmen held several positions with increasing responsibility during his tenure. Additionally he held various senior roles at Loblaw when Fortinos was acquired, including EVP Zehrs Markets, SVP Supply Chain and Logistics Ontario East. He completed his time at Loblaw as Executive Vice President, Ontario Region.
In 2007, Carmen moved to the Health and Wellness sector and spent seven years in leadership roles, including his role as President of Atrium Innovations, North America. Carmen was not planning to return to the food industry until a fateful, four-hour meeting with Eric La Flèche, President and CEO, METRO Inc., changed his mind. The two found common ground and shared similar values and passion for the customer.
In September 2014, Carmen went back to his grocer roots and joined METRO Inc. as Senior Vice President and Metro Ontario Division Head, where he is now leading a team of over 32,000 people and overseeing the day-to-day operations of Metro and Food Basics stores across Ontario. In 2019, he was appointed Executive Vice President, Metro Ontario Division Head and National Supply Chain.
Carmen's professional accomplishments have earned him numerous awards and accolades. A proud first generation Italian-Canadian, Carmen received the Pentola d’Oro award in 2016, presented by the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario. In 2021, he was inducted into the Grocery Business Hall of Fame in the inaugural class. Most recently, in April 2022, Carmen was recognized with a Report on Business Best Executive Award, an annual celebration of 50 exceptional Canadian leaders.
From the early beginnings at the Fortinos family business, Carmen’s pride and joy has always been his family. Carmen and his wife Sue have been happily married for 41 years and have two sons, Jason and Marcus, who have now made them proud grandparents of five grandchildren aged four and under. When he’s not travelling with family or friends, you can find him on the golf course, cycling, or spending time with his grandchildren.
Michel Manseau
Senior Vice President and General Manage, Consumer Business Canada
Kruger Products LP
Michel Manseau’s successful 34-year career with Kruger Products L.P. has been built on strong principles of respecting commitments, bringing a clear vision and strategic action plans to customers, and developing and advancing the people around him. Michel Manseau was appointed SVP & GM Consumer Business in May 2018. Prior to this he was the Corporate Vice President, Consumer Sales Canada since May 2007. He joined Scott Paper Limited (now KPLP) in 1988 and held many sales positions with the company in both Canada and the United Kingdom. He is active on many industry boards such as CFIG (AMC) Associated Members Council, FCPC (IAC) Industry Affair Council and GS1 Grocery Board. In 2019, Michel was honoured with a Life Member Industry Builder award from CFIG for his contribution to growing independent grocers and the food industry.
Michel Manseau leads with kindness and aligns his team to make a difference in the lives of the people in their community. As part of Michel Manseau's corporate charitable endeavors, he supports local food banks, healthcare workers, and the Canadian Cancer Society. He also championed the development of a local community giving program implemented at each of the Canadian manufacturing plants. He has personally raised funds by participating in the Heart and Stroke Ride for the Heart. Making a difference in the lives of the people in his community is a privilege he believes in.
When Michel is not creating strong customer relationships and helping businesses and people grow, he spends his time with his wife and two daughters who have been by his side throughout his career. He is especially grateful to his wife, Diane, for her support, without it, he acknowledges that he would not have been able to achieve the same level of success. Michel also stays active through cycling the country roads surrounding Oakville and playing rounds of golf with friends and colleagues.
Senior Vice President and General Manage, Consumer Business Canada
Kruger Products LP
Michel Manseau’s successful 34-year career with Kruger Products L.P. has been built on strong principles of respecting commitments, bringing a clear vision and strategic action plans to customers, and developing and advancing the people around him. Michel Manseau was appointed SVP & GM Consumer Business in May 2018. Prior to this he was the Corporate Vice President, Consumer Sales Canada since May 2007. He joined Scott Paper Limited (now KPLP) in 1988 and held many sales positions with the company in both Canada and the United Kingdom. He is active on many industry boards such as CFIG (AMC) Associated Members Council, FCPC (IAC) Industry Affair Council and GS1 Grocery Board. In 2019, Michel was honoured with a Life Member Industry Builder award from CFIG for his contribution to growing independent grocers and the food industry.
Michel Manseau leads with kindness and aligns his team to make a difference in the lives of the people in their community. As part of Michel Manseau's corporate charitable endeavors, he supports local food banks, healthcare workers, and the Canadian Cancer Society. He also championed the development of a local community giving program implemented at each of the Canadian manufacturing plants. He has personally raised funds by participating in the Heart and Stroke Ride for the Heart. Making a difference in the lives of the people in his community is a privilege he believes in.
When Michel is not creating strong customer relationships and helping businesses and people grow, he spends his time with his wife and two daughters who have been by his side throughout his career. He is especially grateful to his wife, Diane, for her support, without it, he acknowledges that he would not have been able to achieve the same level of success. Michel also stays active through cycling the country roads surrounding Oakville and playing rounds of golf with friends and colleagues.
