Pete Van Helden, Mary Crocker & Willie Crocker to be honored at Foundation’s annual awards event
Three grocery industry executives with deep roots in both the California Grocers Association and the CGA Educational Foundation will be inducted into the Foundation’s prestigious Hall of Achievement on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at The Westin Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, Calif.
More than 500 industry peers, colleagues, friends, and family are expected to join the gala event to honor Pete Van Helden, Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair for Stater Bros. Markets, Mary Crocker, Sales Account Manager for Alta Dena Dairy, and Willie Crocker, Retail Director for Bimbo Bakeries USA.
The Hall of Achievement recognizes grocery leaders for their tremendous contributions to not only the industry, but their local communities as well. Proceeds from the event fund the Foundation’s college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs. In 2025, the Foundation is expected to award $850,000 to the grocery community through these educational programs.
“We are honored to induct these three worthy candidates into the Hall of Achievement,” said CGAEF President Ron Fong. “Their contributions to our industry and their communities are well-documented. Their recognition was long over-due.”
Both award recipients have long histories of involvement with the Educational Foundation, the Association and other allied organizations.
Hall of Achievement Award
The CGA Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement is a prestigious award program developed to honor those who have contributed substantially to the benefit and advancement of the California grocery industry.
The Hall of Achievement provides the grocery industry with the opportunity to recognize the achievements of those individuals who, through their foresight and dedication, have enhanced California’s food-distribution industry. They are people who have made a difference.
Nominees must meet the following requirements:
- Enhance the quality of California’s food industry.
- Demonstrate a commitment to charitable activities and public service programs that enhance the quality of life.
- Participate in major fund-raising campaigns and community charitable events.
- Involve themselves in humanitarian and cultural causes and enhance community education, and
- Volunteer for charitable and civic programs.
Recipients are recognized at the annual Hall of Achievement Dinner. The Dinner serves as the Foundation’s primary fundraiser that supports the College Scholarship, Tuition Reimbursement, and Industry Education Programs.
Consent to Use of Likeness: Registration and attendance at, or participation in, CGA or CGAEF meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to CGA/CGAEF’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or attendees’ imagine or voice in photographs, recordings, and electronic reproductions of such events and activities.
The CGA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit tax-exempt organization which supports and provides educational opportunities for the grocery industry. A portion of each ticket purchase is deductible as a charitable contribution. All Tribute Journal advertisements and event sponsorships are tax deductible contributions.
