WMU News

Farmer Jack exec to be honored at food marketing conference

March 9, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- Craig C. Sturken, chief executive officer and chairman of Midwest Operations for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. and president and CEO of Farmer Jack Supermarkets in Michigan, will be honored Monday, March 22, for his long history of supporting the education of future food industry leaders.

Sturken will receive the Adrian Trimpe Distinguished Service Award during the opening evening of the 34th annual Food Marketing Conference March 22-23 at Western Michigan University. The event is expected to draw more than 500 food marketing executives from across the Midwest for discussions on "Keeping the Focus on the Consumer."

The award was established in 1996 and is named for the founder of WMU's nationally-known food marketing program in the Haworth College of Business. Sturken is being recognized for his history of advocacy for the role of higher education in the food industry and his contributions to the WMU program.

Sturken's support has led to the establishment of Farmer Jack scholarship and internship programs for food marketing students, giving many the start of careers in Farmer Jack management. Sturken has brought his expertise to campus a number of times as a participant in the Executive on Campus Program as well as a teacher in a store operations course that WMU offers in partnership with the industry. In addition, he has been instrumental in the WMU Food Marketing Advisory Board and the department's annual fundraising efforts.

Sturken began his career in 1965 with Grand Union Co., and later became that company's senior vice president. In 1990, he joined the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. as chairman and CEO of A & P Canada. In 1992 he was named president of Farmer Jack Supermarkets, and in 1996 assumed his present position as CEO of Farmer Jack Supermarkets in Michigan and of Kohl's Supermarkets in Wisconsin. He attended both the University of Tampa and Cornell University's Food Executive Program.

The Adrian Trimpe Distinguished Service Award is presented annually at the food marketing conference. It is given to individuals who have dedicated extraordinary time and effort to the support and enrichment of WMU's Food Marketing Program and its students. The program, one of only a few such programs in the United States, prepares students for employment in wholesale distribution, sales and marketing, and retail management.

Media contact: Marie Lee, 616 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu


Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
univ-rel@wmich.edu

http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news