Golden Pencil Award winners for 2017 announced

The Food Industry Association of Canada has announced Nestlé Canada CEO Shelley Martin, Retail Council of Canada president Diane Brisebois and Darrell Jones, president of Save-On-Foods, will receive this year’s Golden Pencil Award.

The Golden Pencil is the grocery industry’s highest honour for lifetime achievement. Martin, Brisebois and Jones will receive their awards Nov. 20 in Toronto.

Martin joined Nestlé Canada in 1990 and over the course of her career has managed the coffee/beverage, petcare and confectionery businesses. In 2012 she combined the frozen businesses (meals, pizza and ice cream) and became president of the frozen division. In 2013 she was named president and CEO.

Brisebois has spearheaded the Retail Council of Canada since 1995 and serves on a number of trade boards including the School of Retail at Ryerson University and the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing.

Overwaitea's Jones started with the company 42 years ago in Cranbrook, British Columbia, bagging groceries after school. Over the years, he has worked in 23 stores in various parts of the province. He held a number of senior level roles with the company before becoming president of Overwaitea Food Group in 2012.

The Golden Pencil Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and worthwhile contributions to improving the Canadian food industry as well as their communities.

Each year the Food Industry Association’s nominations committee considers candidates from both the grocery industry at large and the association’s executive committee.

Last year’s winners were Michael McCain, president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Foods and Vince Scorniaenchi, president of Fortinos.

Other recent winners include Jean Gattuso of Lassonde Industries, Gus Longo of Longo Brothers, Marc Guay of PepsiCo Foods, Louise Wendling of Costco and Eric La Flèche of Metro.

Prior to the gala event is Canadian Grocer's annual Thought Leadership conference, which will feature trends, insights and some of Canada’s top grocery CEOs.

Both the Thought Leadership Conference and the Golden Pencil Awards are held Nov. 20, in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.