FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Joan Toth, Executive Director, Network of Executive Women (NEW)
Tel. (312) 693-5393 | E-mail jtoth@newonline.org | www.newonline.org

Network of Executive Women names Acme CEO Outstanding Champion

Women’s network also awards industry scholarships

CHICAGO -- More than 200 CPG and retail industry executives saluted NEW’s Outstanding Champion May 6 at a reception at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Chicago. Judy Spires, CEO of Acme Markets, was honored “in recognition of the efforts put forth on NEW’s behalf this past year.”

The reception, sponsored by Deloitte & Touche USA, also recognized the Network’s 2007 industry scholarship award winners. This year’s Network scholars are: Victoria Villa-Lobos of Portland State University, BS, Food Industry Certificate/Marketing; Lenese Grant, Alabama A&M University, BS in Food Science and Technology; and Celena Min, Southern Methodist University, MBA in Marketing.

“I would not have received [this award] without the commitment of Acme’s associates and vendor partners to making NEW a thriving part of the retail industry in Philadelphia,” Spires said in remarks to the crowd, “Henry Ford once said, ‘Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success.’” Spires shared credit with Tara Weiner, managing partner, Greater Philadelphia Region, for Deloitte & Touche USA, “and a highly talented group of Acme associates and vendor partners” for getting NEW in Greater Philadelphia off the ground.

Spires was introduced by Jeff Noddle, CEO of SuperValu. Remarks were also made by Weiner and NEW President Helayne Angelus, vice president, Global Customer Business Diversity, for Procter & Gamble.

Spires was singled out for her work on the Network’s expansion in Greater Philadelphia, a critical piece in NEW’s growth in 2006. “Her efforts were essential to getting this group launched,” NEW said. “I can't think of a more deserving person for this award. Judy is an accomplished role model for women in our industry and a strong advocate for diversity,” Executive Director Joan Toth added.

NEW's annual Outstanding Champion award honors an industry diversity champion who has done the most to promote the Network’s mission of attracting, retaining and advancing women in the CPG/retail industry. Previous recipients include Tom Greco, president of PepsiCo Sales; Linda Dillman, executive vice president, risk management, benefits and sustainability, of Wal-Mart; Bill Grize, retired CEO of Ahold USA; Rob Steele, group vice president, consumer care, of Procter & Gamble; and Don Knauss, formerly of Coca-Cola, now chairman and CEO of Clorox.

The Network of Executive Women, Consumer Products and Retail Industry, is comprised of more than two thousand individual members, including senior executives, emerging leaders and academics and students. They represent more than 300 organizations, including grocery, chain, drug and mass retailers, wholesalers, CPG manufacturers, consultants, sales agencies, associations and media.

For more information on the Network of Executive Women and its education, mentoring, networking and leadership development programs, contact Executive Director Joan Toth at (312) 373-5682 or visit www.newonline.org.

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