Board of Trustees

The Foundation’s keystone is its Board of Trustees – comprised of individuals with years of expertise from all segments of the food industry – that provides the direction and strategic planning. These are people who know the industry’s needs in an environment that is constantly changing.

photo of Adam Salgado

Adam Salgado

Chair

Chief Marketing Officer

Heritage Grocers Group

photo of Joan Dobias-Davis

Joan Dobias-Davis

Vice Chair

Senior Vice President/Chief HR Officer

The Save Mart Companies

photo of Erika Skaar

Erika Skaar

Secretary

District Manager

Stater Bros. Markets

photo of Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith

Treasurer

President

United Markets

photo of Taylor Chappell

Taylor Chappell

Retail Sales Director

Anheuser-Busch

photo of Jeremy Cullifer

Jeremy Cullifer

Director, Customer Experience

C&S Wholesale Grocers

photo of Bruce Frazier

Bruce Frazier

Director, Human Resources

Albertsons Vons Pavilions

photo of Branden Hester

Branden Hester

District Director

Sprouts Farmers Market

photo of Kim Phibbs

Kim Phibbs

Vice President, Human Resources

PAQ Inc.

photo of Jeff Severns

Jeff Severns

Senior Director, Retail Sales

PepsiCo Beverages North America

photo of Jacquie Slobom

Jacquie Slobom

District Manager

Gelson’s Markets

photo of Michael Sodaro

Michael Sodaro

Vice President, South Division

North State Grocery

photo of Joe Tischbern

Joe Tischbern

Vice President, Talent Development

Chedraui USA

Photo of Scott Moye

"The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation has been an active participant in my educational journey. From Junior College to Graduate School, the CGAEF has been there every semester to assist me with tuition reimbursement. Although I took a slight turn from retail management to supply chain management, the CGAEF was still there for my family. My family and I are very grateful to CGAEF and the assistance the foundation has provided."

Scott Moye Costco Wholesale

Photo of Kim Gothier

“The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation played an immense role in helping me achieve my WAFC Retail Management Certificate. Knowing that CGAEF would reimburse me for the qualifying classes was a huge factor in motivating me to attend. The knowledge that I obtained from each of the classes has been invaluable and has provided me with many more skills to be successful at my job. I appreciate the opportunity CGAEF has provided me and others in pursuing our educational goals!”

Kim Gothier Stater Bros. Markets

Photo of Thomas Wright

“The Tuition Reimbursement Program has helped me financially during these tough times in our economy. If it was not for them reimbursing me, I probably would not be able to take these classes. I am very thankful for the Tuition Reimbursement Program.”

Thomas Wright Albertsons

Photo of Sandy Martinez

“I am so passionate about education and I love school. Education can be expensive! The Foundation reimbursement program affords me the opportunity to take the classes I need in my current field, creating greater opportunities and options. I am an advocate for education that is why I constantly promote the CGAEF Program to my peers within our organization. Thank you for all you have done to help me achieve my goals.”

Sandy Martinez Food 4 Less