Shawn Spencer earns Kroger award for outstanding leadership

INDIANAPOLIS -- A meat and seafood merchandiser who started his Kroger career in Greencastle has been honored with the company's 2010 President's Award.

Shawn Spencer, who grew up in Clinton Falls and graduated from North Putnam High School in 1991, is one of 17 associates to receive the award within a five-state, 140-store operating division. Kroger employs ome 15,000 associates in the area.

"This 2010 President's Award winner started his Kroger career in 1991 as a meat clerk in Greencastle, Ind.," said Bob Moeder, president of Kroger Co.'s Central Division headquartered in Indianapolis.

Spencer was quickly promoted to lead meat clerk, where upon he honed his skills in customer service and suggestive selling.

After graduation from IUPUI in 1996 he entered the MD1 Management Training program and was assigned as a co-manager in Terre Haute.

Spencer's drive for sales and execution has been one of his strongest attributes, Kroger officials said.

"He diligently strives to set the standard for department conditions and behaviors in one of our most important commodities," Moeder said, noting that Spencer was instrumental in developing a "Meat Revolution" in 2010 that has carried over into 2011.

"Through his leadership, Kroger has set the standard, expectations and established a cadence for accountability in our meat departments," the division president added.

Spencer, who now resides in Indianapolis, volunteers and participates in many charitable events each year, including Boy Scouts of America where he serves as Cubmaster.

He is on the board of directors for the Gary Brackett Impact Foundation, "and can be counted on whenever he is needed for volunteer opportunities," Moeder said of the President's Award winner.

Spencer's parents, Ralph and Becky Spencer, reside in Morton.

The Kroger Central Division has 140 food stores, 116 pharmacies and 64 fuel centers operating under four banners: Kroger, Scott's, Owen's and Pay Less, with locations primarily in Indiana and Illinois, in addition to five stores in Missouri, one in Michigan and one in Ohio.