April 5, 2025 • 35 mins
Amy Niemetscheck takes us through her remarkable journey from public accounting to becoming President and CEO of Serco Inc., where she leads a cooperative serving 250 independent grocers with over 550 employees. Her story exemplifies how non-traditional career paths can lead to exceptional leadership in the grocery industry.
The conversation reveals Amy's refreshing leadership philosophy: rather than pretending to know everything, she builds "benches" of experts around her and focuses on breaking down silos between departments. This approach proved crucial during her first 24 months as CEO, when she faced the sudden loss of a key team member, a major brand transition, and the onset of COVID-19 – challenges she navigated with remarkable resilience.
Amy offers a thought-provoking perspective on work-life integration, rejecting the concept of "balance" in favor of being fully present wherever she is – giving her all at work while being equally engaged at home with her husband of 23 years and their three children. This philosophy, supported by strong personal and professional networks, has enabled her success across multiple domains.
As a board member for Women Grocers of America, National Grocers Association (where she serves as secretary), and soon to be the first female chair of RAFTA, Amy is shaping the future of independent grocery. She identifies key industry trends including changing consumer relationships with food, value-conscious shopping, and the evolution of e-commerce – seeing opportunities for independents to differentiate through emotional connections and personalized service.
Recently named WGA's 2025 Woman of the Year, Amy's story inspires us to embrace authenticity in leadership, build strong teams, and recognize that success doesn't require pretending to have all the answers. Her journey reminds us that with the right mindset and support systems, we can overcome challenges and create meaningful impact in both our professional and personal lives.
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Host: Kristin Popp
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Grocery From Her Seat.
The WGA podcast, offering aunique perspective as seen
through the eyes of remarkablewomen who shape and lead in the
independent grocery industry.
Your host, Kristen Popp,president of WGA, will bring you
exclusive stories and insightsfrom the women serving our
industry, From presidents toCEOs, to entrepreneurs and
(00:22):
students.
This podcast is your source ofinformation.
Now listen, take notes andwelcome Kristen Popp.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
I am your host, Kristen Popp, and today I have
the opportunity to chat with AmyNemechek, President and CEO of
Serco Inc.
Welcome to Grocery from HerSeat, Amy, and thank you so very
much for sharing your time withus today.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Thanks for having me, it's my pleasure.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Amy, I know we touched on your title, but can
you share with us a little morein detail what that role plays
within your organizationspecifically?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Sure.
So I am currently the presidentand CEO at Circo and with that
title I have the opportunity towork for approximately 250
independent grocers.
I am directed and givenopportunity once a month to sit
with our board of directors,which is made up of seven of our
(01:17):
current members, as well as ourCFO and our executive vice
president and our executive vicepresident.
So annually we go throughstrategic planning, talk about
industry trends, things that areinfluencing the warehouse
employment, several itemsdevelop that strategic plan, and
then it's my job to execute andprovide updates to the board
(01:39):
and the stockholders throughoutthe year.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
So it's been quite a ride.
I'm sure it has been,especially with your tenure with
the year.
So it's been quite a ride.
I'm sure it has been especiallywith your tenure with the
organization.
I want to go ahead and start bydiving into your background.
Can you share your careerjourney that led you to and
including where you are today?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Oh sure.
So I had a littleunconventional path to Serco.
After college I graduated witha business degree in accounting
and was an auditor for a publicaccounting firm out of Milwaukee
and found out pretty early onthat my niche, that I liked, was
manufacturing and distribution,and I knew that I enjoyed going
(02:20):
into different businesses andlearning about different
leadership styles, differentways that businesses were
successful.
Also, through that pattern, sawbusinesses that weren't
successful and kind of shapedwhat I foresaw as maybe a future
dream job for myself.
And in the mid 2000s one of myclients happened to be Serco.
(02:45):
And when you talk about puttingthose different clients into
those buckets of wow, this wouldbe a great place to work.
What an awesome, you knowculture to be working for the
customers that are also yourowners.
And that customer serviceaspect that bled throughout the
whole organization I justthought was a very neat and
(03:08):
interesting dynamic.
So, but again, I was living inMilwaukee not in Madison at the
time, but fast forward tillabout 2010 and I was
transferring, moving away fromMilwaukee, moving back to
Madison and got a phone callfrom someone in my network from
(03:29):
Public Accounting Days lettingme know that they heard I was
back in Madison and they alsoheard that Serco was looking for
a controller.
So I went in and interviewed andwas given the opportunity to
join Serco back in January of2011 as a controller and enjoyed
(03:49):
the finance and accounting sideof the business, worked my way
up to CFO for a number of yearsbut really got involved you know
, helped one of our warehouseexpansions when we built the
cooler out of our existingfacility, moving it to a
different set of grounds, andjust really became more
passionate about the overallbusiness, not just, you know,
(04:12):
the accounting of the business.
So I put myself into meetings Iprobably sometimes didn't
belong in and had a great mentorin the previous CEO Randy Simon
mentor and the previous CEORandy Simon and when his
succession came up it was apretty open and kind of
interesting conversation withhim when I was given the
opportunity to learn from himfor a couple more years before
(04:35):
he retired and I took over in2019 as CEO.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
So that's how I got here.
I like what you shared, thatRandy had asked you when he was
looking at his succession planto take over leadership of Serco
, and can you share what heasked you when you guys had that
conversation?
Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:56):
sure.
Yeah, he pretty much said Amy,do you love accounting and
finance or do you love Serco?
Love accounting and finance ordo you love Serco?
And for me he asked it in suchan open and really for me a
light bulb went on at thatmoment and I'm like, yeah,
you're right, it isn't theaccounting and the finance, it's
again going back to working foryour customers that are your
(05:17):
owners and just that feelingthat you can put within your own
culture of your.
You know, at the time there wasabout 400 employees to let that
be how your culture is builtand work for just an amazing
group of stores that we're luckyto serve.
So, yeah, our transition wasabout two years and I gladly
(05:39):
hired a new CFO that's doingwonderful things and I've been
able to step away, which isgreat.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
That's fantastic.
So you talked about when youwere in the public accounting
and that you did work for Sercothrough that role and you found
the niche that you reallyenjoyed with the independent
industry.
But was there anything thatspecifically inspired you to
then come back and join theindustry other than that phone
call that you got?
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Again, I think it was the idea of what a cooperative
was right.
I mean, I didn't work for manyother clients that were
organized in that manner wherewhen you're talking to them
about their customer base, it isnot the ownership.
In many of those situationsthey might have had private
equity investment, they mighthave been family owned, but the
(06:32):
dynamic of that customer serviceaspect being part of it was
just really, really gravitatedto me.
And then I think, just you know, knowing that these independent
grocers are like the backboneof so many of these communities,
that including one that I grewup in was pretty special too At
(06:53):
the time when I joined, theneighborhood grocer that I went
to as a young child with mymother was on our board of
directors, so it was just.
It was a very was on our boardof directors, so it was just it
was a very, very, very much athome feeling.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
If that makes sense Absolutely, it does.
I think when we understand thefull impact that the independent
plays within the communitiesthat we're a part of, it's just,
it's inspirational in and ofitself to be a part of such a
great industry that can serveour communities in the way that
we do.
Very much so, Amy, I know thatfamily is important to you and I
(07:33):
say that both personally andprofessionally something you and
I have chatted about on severaloccasions, each having three
kiddos.
But can you touch on your homeand your work, families and what
they each mean to you?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Oh sure.
So I've been very blessed.
I've been married for over 23years with my husband that I met
in college and we had for aboutthe first seven years of our
marriage, both of us were prettymuch into our jobs.
We loved our jobs, we lovedbeing able to travel.
So we had a little what somepeople will say unconventional
(08:09):
family plan.
We had our first kiddo afterseven years of being married.
So the three kids I have I havea daughter who's soon to be 16,
and she'll tell me exactly thehours and days because of her
16th birthday and then two boyswho are 14 and 12.
And they're all healthy.
(08:30):
So I feel very blessed for that.
And they're also driven.
They're driven kids as far asthey're, you know.
They're in multiple sports.
My boys are also, you know, inmusic, so one of them's in choir
, the other one's in band, Also,you know, in music, so one of
them's in choir, the other one'sin band.
So I try as much as possible tobe that basketball mom, soccer
(08:50):
mom and person in the crowdcheering for every concert I can
make.
But no, it's, it's.
It really happens in theopportunity to to take on a
position such as this because myhusband has been such a rock
for me.
You know he's got a job out ofthe house, which has been a
(09:12):
wonderful thing to give us somebalance in our life, and he
knows he's the call that's goingto have to take the call
probably more likely than myselfand pick up the kiddo that's
sick and bring in the permissionslip that was missed.
So it was just a really goodsupport system there.
And then here at Serco, you knowI mentioned earlier, you know,
back when I took over as CEO,versus now.
(09:34):
I mean, we're over 550employees at this point and it's
hard to keep that family feel.
But it was a culture that washere before I was in this chair
and I think I've done a fine jobmaintaining that.
We do things that many 550 plusemployers don't do.
(09:54):
We have a Christmas party everyyear.
Still, we have a summer picnicwhere all the employees and
their spouse and their familiescome out to a park and we even
attend.
It's called the Madison Forward.
It's a semi-pro soccer teamthat we all go and watch one
game in the fall.
So it's a very tight-knit550-employee base and there's
(10:21):
days I will pass by people and Idon't know their name, but
that's okay because they theyrecognize we've grown and we've
been very fortunate to grow withour, our member owners.
So, yeah, I feel very blessed,professionally and personally
with my, my family.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
You mentioned that your kids are driven and I have
to guess that they were gettingthat from their mom.
You're a great inspiration Ican only imagine to them and
what they're seeing youaccomplish.
So a great role model for them.
And then you know just the workfamily and as you grow it does
get more and more challenging.
But I think you've done afantastic job at trying to keep
that personal touch that canmake such a difference in your
(11:02):
work environment as well.
I think it's interesting, as wetalk about this and the
responsibilities that are tiedto each as we prep for the
conversation, you sharedsomething not on your resume
besides your amazing kiddos thatyou are proud of.
Can you touch on what that was?
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Oh sure, you know I can't take full credit for this.
I think I learned a lot of thisjust by reading and watching
other leaders.
What I saw is a successfulleadership trait and really what
I like to say is I don't havework-life balance, I just try to
(11:41):
have presence in whatever I do.
So what I mean by that is, youknow, when I'm at work, you know
my heart, my drive, I try tohave 100 percent of everything
to be there and it kind of goesgoes back to what I was talking
about with.
You know what I have at home,with a very supportive husband
that has the flexibility to dropthings if something happens
(12:05):
with the kiddos, that he canstep in and he can take care of
that.
Yet, because I feel like I givewhen I'm physically at work
every day, I really have noissues when I go home trying to
say you know what I've givenSerco, I've given the board,
I've given my members a lot.
(12:26):
I deserve to have presence nowwith my kids, you know, and my
husband and maybe my parents andmy brothers, however that may
go.
So yeah, I just feel, you know,that idea of work-life balance
is a hard thing to master andI've always just looked at it to
(12:47):
say.
One thing I'm proud of is Ijust don't try to balance it, I
just, whatever I'm in at thatmoment, I try to give it my all,
so that when I'm in the nextpresence, whether it's home and
friends, I give it all there aswell.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
So yeah, and I really want to highlight this, as I
think there can sometimes be afalse belief that some females
and I know I hear it too how doyou do it all?
But some females in executive orleadership positions, with
kiddos and multiple activitiesand a demanding job who can
attend both and be present, havesome unbelievable superpower,
when the fact of the matter is,you have figured out what works
(13:24):
best for you and have alignedyour priorities in such a way
that you can accomplish whatmatters most to you.
So, amy, I applaud you fortalking about this to shine a
light on there not being a magicrecipe to make it all work, but
rather finding your rhythm thatworks for you.
Because when people say to me,how do you do it all?
And it's, I'm just veryintentional with my time.
(13:46):
So you know, I've picked andprioritized what works for me so
that when I'm in a moment, I'mintentional in that moment.
Sure, and I think you have tojust find what works best for
you and and.
But I don't think there is amagic superpower or magic wand
that we wave and it all flowstogether, right, right.
Sometimes I think we wish therewas.
(14:08):
Right, but it's not there, soyou just have to find what works
best for you, and that's okay.
Right, amy, you are a fierceadvocate and also an inspiration
for the industry In addition toyour day-to-day role.
Let's talk about the boards youvolunteer your time on.
Although you recentlytransitioned off the board of
(14:29):
WGA, let's start with yourinvolvement on the WGA board.
Can you start with how you gotinvolved and your experience?
Sure, sure.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So I was fortunate, in my opinion, to join the Women
Grocers of America at about thesame time as the person I'm
having this conversation withthe you, kristen.
But really the person thatliterally grabbed me in a
hallway one day at a NGA showwas Stephanie Reed from the
Shelby Report and she said hey,I want to introduce you to this
(15:01):
group of people.
You know, we were trying tolaunch a mentorship program,
we're trying to launch amentorship program and we also,
you know, have this fun run atthe NGA show that creates
scholarship monies for the MaryMacy Scholarship.
And I said, oh, that soundsinteresting.
You know, at that point thatwas really my first opportunity
to see what it might look liketo join an organization.
(15:24):
I didn't go into that meetingthinking I would be on the board
by any means, but I wasfortunate, based on where the
organization was at the time, totake a board seat, not like
yourself, kristen, who took onthe president role, but it was,
as I said.
I just felt like the timing wasjust really, really impactful.
(15:49):
I mean, the organization wasreally focused on those two
things I said they were tryingto have at the NGA show, this
idea of a mentorship opportunityfor some seasoned women in
industry to maybe talk to somepeople who were up and comers,
which is where I was at the time, talked to some people who were
up and comers, which is where Iwas at the time, and instead
(16:10):
really the board seats kind ofshuffled and it became much,
much more than that and youshould be very proud, kristen,
for creating that, because ittook your vision.
I just was fortunate to grabonto pieces of that vision and
(16:31):
try to have some ownership.
And for me, I did love the ideaof the scholarships.
So you know, at the time, likeI said, there was this one Mary
Macy scholarship that was fundedby this run, I think the last
year.
I did it this past summer, youknow, between vendor
sponsorships that were nowcoming in, related to specific
(16:54):
food safety related scholarships, for example, we gave out four.
So you know, that's prettyremarkable growth on just a
scholarship front, scholarshipfront, and then just that idea
of trying to make sure that theorganization was in a good spot
financially.
You know, besides what you'veall been able to raise with
(17:15):
vendor recognition of howimportant this organization is,
I took on just trying to come upwith a way that made it easy
and fun to create a raffle atthe NGA show and you know we
didn't come up with the prize,but I think we did come up with
(17:35):
a pretty creative way the firstyear that we decided to take our
raffle online and we putourselves out there against the
NGA pack and their raffle withthe bourbon and we went to the
QR code, able to use a creditcard versus their conventional
way of expecting people to havecash, and we did very well that
(17:59):
first year, just by changingthat format of how we could
actually collect funds.
So it's been, you know, we couldactually collect funds.
So it's been, you know, asbasic things to that, to
obviously being a member of EXFLfor a number of events and then
now the symposium that's beencreated after the membership
(18:20):
feedback as far as what wouldmake that educational,
networking, amazing group ofwomen that come together as
meaningful as possible.
So it's been a great ride andI've enjoyed contributing.
I've enjoyed learning and beinga part of a board where every
person picked something up andjust did.
(18:42):
It is quite remarkable, I cantell you.
Not every board is like that.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
No, I think the involvement of our board is
phenomenal and I appreciate allyour kind words.
It's been a great ride and, amy, as we know as leaders, right,
it's all about the team that youbuild to make it work.
And I think we have such agreat team on our board.
Like you said, everybody iswilling and driven to help make
(19:07):
this be successful and worktowards the vision, and I think
that's where we've been sofortunate to accomplish that
vision and continue to move itforward with great impact.
What points do you feel WGA hasin the industry for the future?
Where do you feel that thatimpact lies?
Speaker 3 (19:31):
I guess for myself I would say you know we want to
see people continue to come intothis industry.
So I think one thing that theWGA has done a nice job on you
know it does have woman in thename of it, but I think many of
us are just very passionateabout making this industry
something that is appealing topeople to find a career in, and
(19:57):
I think the idea of you know,the involvement with the
students has been wonderful toshow them that a career doesn't
have to look like you're thechecker at the grocery store and
where your career can actuallygo, whether it's at retail,
wholesale, working at one of theCPG partners.
It's just, I think it's createdthat openness, with multiple
(20:21):
campuses as well, to continue toshine a light on this is a
great industry to be in and aspeople weigh and see economic
pressures in differentindustries, as I always like to
say to my kids, people alwayslike to eat and eat.
So why not join an industrythat's pretty stable when it
(20:41):
comes to a necessary survivalitem?
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Well, and to your point of yes, there's women in
the name of the organization,but we all know that we have
great male allies, and I thinkthe important part of it is
supporting everybody in theiruniqueness so that we can all do
better together and continue tohave a thriving industry, both
(21:06):
by attracting new talent, butalso retaining the talent that
we have and making them feelthat they're in a space that
they're supported to achievesuccess.
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
So let's talk about your next role.
You are also on the NGA boardand I know you're part of that
executive committee.
Can you share a little bitabout your role on that team?
Speaker 3 (21:27):
Oh sure, it's somewhat new for me.
Still At the board meetingthat's coming up actually in a
couple days here, this will bemy first time that I'm actually
in the role as secretary on theboard.
So really there's the chair,vice chair, treasurer, and then
the secretary.
(21:48):
So the chairs have beensomewhat laid out for the
succession of the upcoming yearsof the NGA.
So just looking to continue tofind ways where I can have a
larger role, I currently alsosit on the investment committee
that meets quarterly.
(22:08):
Also sit on the investmentcommittee that meets quarterly
so we review the different assetallocations for where the
different funds are sitting andensure that we're following our
investment policy statement forthe NGA.
I've also been part of thestrategic planning initiative
that Greg created a subcommitteefor that lays out kind of their
longer term strategic plan andtheir pillars that the NGA wants
(22:29):
to continue to support andensure that we're listening to
the membership and obviouslymaking sure that we're
specifically, you know, beingthe voice in Washington DC for
the independent grocer.
So those have been really whereI'm at now and, like I said,
I'm going to learn what thisnext secretary seat has very
shortly.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Great work you're doing there and let's not forget
your role in future with theRAFTA board.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
I like to refer to this one just because I am the
only female on that board.
I like to call it mybrotherhood because I am on a
board with seven other CEOs ofretail-owned food distributors,
so I've held the roles there oftreasurer and now the vice chair
of RAFTA.
The November of 2025 conference, mike Violette, who's our
(23:14):
current chair, will be steppingdown and I'll be excited to be
able to say I'll be the firstfemale chairwoman of RAFTA in
history.
It's an exciting time there aswell.
Rafta has been known forcreating dynamic opportunities
for share groups across thewholesaler to come together
(23:35):
twice a year and we rotate ourteams.
What I mean by that is you canhave finance the CFO from every
one of the eight wholesalers.
Come and they have two days ofsharing best practices from
operations to human resources,been very lucky at Rafta to have
a lot of associate support fromtechnology companies, cpgs,
(23:56):
marketing organizations toinclude our independent
retailers as part of theconference as well.
So when we go to these things,they're not just coming and
talking to the CEOs about apotential great arm of the
technology that could be used tobetter their business, but we
now bring two retailers each.
So it's been an evolving boardto be on as well, and I'm just
(24:19):
honored to kind of have thatplace in history to say I'll be
the first female here very soon.
Speaker 2 (24:25):
Absolutely incredible , amy, the perfect leader for
the Rafta organization and thepath you're paving forward and
opportunities for others beyondinspiring.
Keep shattering ceilings,because you're doing amazing,
thank you.
Looking back, what are some ofthe key achievements or
highlights you are most proud of?
Speaker 3 (24:43):
I'll start maybe with what I try to make sure.
I've learned that I didn't growup cleaning milk bottles in the
back room.
That wasn't my background, soI've quickly learned that I need
to be understanding with myselfand not be uncomfortable if I
don't have that same historicalbackground as a lot of people
(25:03):
that have gotten into rolessimilar to mine.
But I feel really it's aboutknowing what you know and
building a bench of peoplearound you to support you in
areas that you aren't the experton, because there's nothing
better for an organization ifthe person at the top isn't
(25:26):
leading by an egotistical viewof having to know it all or
pretending to know it all,because you can get the culture
when you show them that they'repart of something and they have
a special.
What they're doing is leadingand helping the organization's
mission.
It took a bit I'll be perfectlyhonest for me to realize it's
(25:48):
okay not to know everything.
When you're put intoopportunities as I've been
blessed to lead in differentdepartments, put into
opportunities as I've beenblessed to lead in different
departments, I don't try to saythe fake it till I make it.
I'm very open and say I needyou to own that and I need you
to report back and you mightneed to teach me a little bit of
why, because I might not knowexactly why you're saying that.
(26:09):
That to me is somewhat of anachievement not swallow your ego
, but recognize you're going tobe better off as an organization
when you build the bench aroundyou and I don't know.
I think my timing of becomingCEO was also somewhat was a
challenging couple of years.
I started in April of 2019 and Iwas in my role for maybe two
(26:30):
months and suddenly lost Ourmeet director, suddenly passed
away.
You know you never expect thatSuperhuman.
He was in an Ironmancompetition and passed.
So you go through a moment likethat and you have to pivot.
You have to be there for yourteam and then, within a few
months of that happening andgetting that department back and
stable, we decided we were nolonger going to be a SureFind
(26:52):
house and we were pivoting to adifferent brand for all of our
stores, to love or hate, and itwas a challenging, challenging
transition.
What followed was COVID.
I think, looking back, that wasdefinitely a very challenging
24 months and I made it so.
Bring it on.
It was very it was stressful,but also very humbling to look
(27:15):
back at all that theorganization accomplished in
that time.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Remarkable, really, when you mentioned that you're
not starting your career ingrocery and having to navigate
through what that looked like.
Was there anybody that helpedyou do that specifically or have
a better understanding of theindustry as a whole?
Speaker 3 (27:37):
have a better understanding of the industry as
a whole.
Yeah, so I talked a little bitabout Randy Simon and you asked
about that one criticalconversation.
You know he was the CEO priorto myself and he definitely was
a mentor for me.
He was the one that brought meinto meetings, like I said, that
maybe I volunteered myself toget into, but he also obviously
saw something in me that hewanted me to be part of those
(27:58):
meetings.
So, whether it was, you know, asystem change or a difference
in how we were going to doforecasting, it was not 100%
related to CFO duties, but I wasbrought into them and I have
him to thank for that.
I also, you know, I have so manygreat retailers that I have the
(28:18):
pleasure to work for.
But Ted Bellistrieri, I'vealways said he he's one of the
co-owners of Sendix Food Marketsand he always he'll tell me
there's never a dumb question.
But I can tell you I've askedhim a lot of dumb questions, in
my opinion, and he's never mademe feel dumb Because he was.
You know, he's just, he's not,he's a humble leader, I don't
(28:41):
know how else to describe it andhe has built quite a team
underneath him and he has a lotof traits that I've tried to
mimic and take pieces from,because I felt like he was a
very impactful leader and stillis.
The last would just be at mycurrent board of directors.
Like I said, there's sevenindependent retailers that sit
on the board right now.
They're extremely engaged.
(29:03):
They're thinking of what iscoming in the future.
I'm very fortunate that they'veall crossed my path.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
I always love hearing those stories because it's just
.
It's such an incredible networkto be a part of.
What are some of the challengesthat you see others, men or
women, facing in leadership?
Speaker 3 (29:18):
today I go back to that idea of you don't have to
know it all.
I think the idea that you reallyneed to build your benches and
that goes beyond just yourprofessional benches but I've
got my strong bench at home withmy family.
I've got a strong bench ofpersonal friends that are my
outlet when I need to get awayand have a girls weekend If you
(29:42):
don't create those benchesyou're going to, you're going to
bog yourself down and you'regoing to put unrealistic
expectations on yourself.
I think that's a challenge thatpeople have and you know I call
it like department geniusesaround you so that the entire
organization back to theprofessional side is better off.
(30:02):
The leader's role is to makesure the communication barriers
are broken down, the silos arebroken down across those
departments and you're marchingwith values that are meaningful
and you can personally attachyourself to.
And I think when that leadergrabs those types of traits
versus the I'm going to portray,I know it all.
I think you're really buildingan organization that can have a
(30:24):
lot of staying power and be verypowerful.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
What trends do you see now that we absolutely need
to be keeping an eye on as oflate?
Speaker 3 (30:32):
specifically GLP-1s or other things that are
happening.
But the way that the consumeris viewing food a lot of emotion
, I guess, around food, you know, watching that trend, what the
independents offer that can be ahuge winning point for us.
The consumer might look at abig box and think, how do I get
(30:52):
emotion when I'm shopping there,versus if I can go into a store
that I can walk in the door andthey've made their fresh bread
there that day I can pick up asteak that I just watched that
person cut Equally.
So they're all watching theirpocketbook.
Making sure that our stores arestill showing value to the
consumer will continue to be achallenge.
(31:14):
And then how much the shopper isshopping in different ways.
How much are they buying onlineversus how much are they buying
in store?
Maybe your e-commerce isn'tgoing to explode, but you know
what, if you don't offer it,that is going to give the
shopper a reason to maybe gosomewhere else.
Just that constant balance ofinvestment to make sure that
you're in the game withtechnology.
(31:35):
Balance of investment to makesure that you're in the game
with technology.
Yet you still have those nichethings that you create that
emotional tie with food.
That is a differentiator thatthe independents can do.
I think it's an exciting timebecause of those trends.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
We can probably do a separate podcast on each of
those.
Yeah, for sure.
Is there anything else thatexcites you about the future?
Speaker 3 (31:55):
of the industry, some of the main initiatives that
NGA has been working on.
The traction that is beingheard across Washington on fair
competition.
I haven't been on the Hill aton lobbying but the times I
have the attention we're gettingis very exciting to level that
playing field.
Exciting to level that playingfield as a wholesaler.
(32:16):
If I can buy in a truckload ofproduct and can be as efficient
as a customer as the big guys,why can't we have similar
promotion strategies, similarpricing strategies and
opportunities to compete?
Speaker 2 (32:25):
Yeah, and I think the impact that you mentioned the
hill visits and some of thoseconversations that are had with
representatives, the impact thatthose carry, I think are
oftentimes underestimated, andthe experience of being able to
do that and create thoserepresentatives, the impact that
those carry, I think, areoftentimes underestimated, and
the experience of being able todo that and create those
relationships too, just verypowerful Not only the business
but the customer and theconsumer as a whole.
Okay, amy, you have received ahigh recognition in the industry
(32:48):
this year and being named WGA's2025 Woman of the Year.
I could not be more proud, onbehalf of the board, to have you
highlighted with this honor.
Can you touch on what thismeans to you and the impact it
has on you, both personally andprofessionally?
Speaker 3 (33:01):
You know, first of all, I'm humbly surprised to
hear where the nomination camefrom, from, you know, the peer
group of board of directors andthen personnel that have had the
joy of working with many ofthem for 10 plus years.
Some of them were here theentire time I've been at CertCo.
The things that you're doing,that you wonder if they're
making an impact.
When you receive something likethis, it makes it all worth it
(33:26):
and I don't mean to getemotional, but, yeah, I was
truly floored.
It makes all the hard workworth it.
I don't know what else to say.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
Your passion, your advocacy, your contributions.
The award represents yourinspiring leadership within the
industry.
And you know what, my friendkeep blazing trails, because
you're absolutely making adifference.
And I also want to say you knowwe talked about you becoming
the first leader of the RAFTAboard and your kiddos being able
(33:53):
to see you take on new rolesand create new heights and new
paths forward.
This again, another opportunitythat your kids get to see.
You know that drive that you'resharing with them and that
they're going to do the samething and they get to follow on
mom's footsteps and I just it'sincredible to watch.
I will say you know theselection committee.
(34:14):
They selected the absoluteright individual, but I'd be
amiss without calling out, youknow, over 20 candidates are
selected, which, just to me, isso inspiring, so many amazing
females in this industry.
It's just, it's awesome to be apart of.
Speaker 3 (34:26):
I'm just honored that you know I'm one of the ones
that people can hopefully seethat it's possible and you got
to just be true to who you areand it's not a fake it till you
make it.
It's about surrounding yourselfwith good people, having the
luxury of having a great boardof directors and great customer
owners that align with yourvision as perfect as it can get
Just amazing.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
Thank you, Amy.
As we like to wrap up thiswonderful conversation, I'm
going to throw you a little bitof a curveball.
If you were writing a book orcreating a podcast about the
industry today, what would thetitle be?
Speaker 3 (34:58):
reflect on even the makeup of an executive team.
Taking the time to recognizethe bench as it was didn't
(35:18):
exactly match what I thought wasright and challenging yourself
to figure out what would makesense.
And you might make mistakesalong the way, but as long as
you learn from them and recoverand you don't do it again next
time, it's a good slogan Love,love, love.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
It Can't wait to read that book.
Amy, thank you so very much forsharing your time and your
thoughts with us today.
I appreciate you, your storyand your contribution to the
industry.
Thank you for all you do and aspecial thank you for your
contributions to the WGAs oryour time on the board.
Thank you, Kristen, to ourguests.
Thank you so much for tuning into today's episode.
(35:55):
We hope you enjoyed thediscussion as much as we did.
If you found value, be sure tosubscribe to the podcast to
never miss an episode and leavea review on your favorite
listening platform to helpothers discover Grocery from Her
Suite.
Until next time, keep making adifference in all you do.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:11):
On behalf of the Women Grocers of America, we
thank you for listening to ourpodcast today and ask that you
subscribe, leave a five-starreview and share with a friend.
If you have a suggestion for aguest from the industry, mention
them in the comments.
Episodes are released everyother week and they are
sponsored by NGA, hosted byKristen Popp, president of WGA,
and published by Rachel Milowith SWA Marketing.
Welcome to Grocery From Her Seat.
The WGA podcast, offering aunique perspective as seen
through the eyes of remarkablewomen who shape and lead in the
independent grocery industry.
Your host, Kristen Popp,president of WGA, will bring you
exclusive stories and insightsfrom the women serving our
industry, From presidents toCEOs, to entrepreneurs and
(00:22):
students.
This podcast is your source ofinformation.
Now listen, take notes andwelcome Kristen Popp.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
I am your host, Kristen Popp, and today I have
the opportunity to chat with AmyNemechek, President and CEO of
Serco Inc.
Welcome to Grocery from HerSeat, Amy, and thank you so very
much for sharing your time withus today.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Thanks for having me, it's my pleasure.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Amy, I know we touched on your title, but can
you share with us a little morein detail what that role plays
within your organizationspecifically?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Sure.
So I am currently the presidentand CEO at Circo and with that
title I have the opportunity towork for approximately 250
independent grocers.
I am directed and givenopportunity once a month to sit
with our board of directors,which is made up of seven of our
(01:17):
current members, as well as ourCFO and our executive vice
president and our executive vicepresident.
So annually we go throughstrategic planning, talk about
industry trends, things that areinfluencing the warehouse
employment, several itemsdevelop that strategic plan, and
then it's my job to execute andprovide updates to the board
(01:39):
and the stockholders throughoutthe year.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
So it's been quite a ride.
I'm sure it has been,especially with your tenure with
the year.
So it's been quite a ride.
I'm sure it has been especiallywith your tenure with the
organization.
I want to go ahead and start bydiving into your background.
Can you share your careerjourney that led you to and
including where you are today?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Oh sure.
So I had a littleunconventional path to Serco.
After college I graduated witha business degree in accounting
and was an auditor for a publicaccounting firm out of Milwaukee
and found out pretty early onthat my niche, that I liked, was
manufacturing and distribution,and I knew that I enjoyed going
(02:20):
into different businesses andlearning about different
leadership styles, differentways that businesses were
successful.
Also, through that pattern, sawbusinesses that weren't
successful and kind of shapedwhat I foresaw as maybe a future
dream job for myself.
And in the mid 2000s one of myclients happened to be Serco.
(02:45):
And when you talk about puttingthose different clients into
those buckets of wow, this wouldbe a great place to work.
What an awesome, you knowculture to be working for the
customers that are also yourowners.
And that customer serviceaspect that bled throughout the
whole organization I justthought was a very neat and
(03:08):
interesting dynamic.
So, but again, I was living inMilwaukee not in Madison at the
time, but fast forward tillabout 2010 and I was
transferring, moving away fromMilwaukee, moving back to
Madison and got a phone callfrom someone in my network from
(03:29):
Public Accounting Days lettingme know that they heard I was
back in Madison and they alsoheard that Serco was looking for
a controller.
So I went in and interviewed andwas given the opportunity to
join Serco back in January of2011 as a controller and enjoyed
(03:49):
the finance and accounting sideof the business, worked my way
up to CFO for a number of yearsbut really got involved you know
, helped one of our warehouseexpansions when we built the
cooler out of our existingfacility, moving it to a
different set of grounds, andjust really became more
passionate about the overallbusiness, not just, you know,
(04:12):
the accounting of the business.
So I put myself into meetings Iprobably sometimes didn't
belong in and had a great mentorin the previous CEO Randy Simon
mentor and the previous CEORandy Simon and when his
succession came up it was apretty open and kind of
interesting conversation withhim when I was given the
opportunity to learn from himfor a couple more years before
(04:35):
he retired and I took over in2019 as CEO.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
So that's how I got here.
I like what you shared, thatRandy had asked you when he was
looking at his succession planto take over leadership of Serco
, and can you share what heasked you when you guys had that
conversation?
Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:56):
sure.
Yeah, he pretty much said Amy,do you love accounting and
finance or do you love Serco?
Love accounting and finance ordo you love Serco?
And for me he asked it in suchan open and really for me a
light bulb went on at thatmoment and I'm like, yeah,
you're right, it isn't theaccounting and the finance, it's
again going back to working foryour customers that are your
(05:17):
owners and just that feelingthat you can put within your own
culture of your.
You know, at the time there wasabout 400 employees to let that
be how your culture is builtand work for just an amazing
group of stores that we're luckyto serve.
So, yeah, our transition wasabout two years and I gladly
(05:39):
hired a new CFO that's doingwonderful things and I've been
able to step away, which isgreat.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
That's fantastic.
So you talked about when youwere in the public accounting
and that you did work for Sercothrough that role and you found
the niche that you reallyenjoyed with the independent
industry.
But was there anything thatspecifically inspired you to
then come back and join theindustry other than that phone
call that you got?
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Again, I think it was the idea of what a cooperative
was right.
I mean, I didn't work for manyother clients that were
organized in that manner wherewhen you're talking to them
about their customer base, it isnot the ownership.
In many of those situationsthey might have had private
equity investment, they mighthave been family owned, but the
(06:32):
dynamic of that customer serviceaspect being part of it was
just really, really gravitatedto me.
And then I think, just you know, knowing that these independent
grocers are like the backboneof so many of these communities,
that including one that I grewup in was pretty special too At
(06:53):
the time when I joined, theneighborhood grocer that I went
to as a young child with mymother was on our board of
directors, so it was just.
It was a very was on our boardof directors, so it was just it
was a very, very, very much athome feeling.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
If that makes sense Absolutely, it does.
I think when we understand thefull impact that the independent
plays within the communitiesthat we're a part of, it's just,
it's inspirational in and ofitself to be a part of such a
great industry that can serveour communities in the way that
we do.
Very much so, Amy, I know thatfamily is important to you and I
(07:33):
say that both personally andprofessionally something you and
I have chatted about on severaloccasions, each having three
kiddos.
But can you touch on your homeand your work, families and what
they each mean to you?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Oh sure.
So I've been very blessed.
I've been married for over 23years with my husband that I met
in college and we had for aboutthe first seven years of our
marriage, both of us were prettymuch into our jobs.
We loved our jobs, we lovedbeing able to travel.
So we had a little what somepeople will say unconventional
(08:09):
family plan.
We had our first kiddo afterseven years of being married.
So the three kids I have I havea daughter who's soon to be 16,
and she'll tell me exactly thehours and days because of her
16th birthday and then two boyswho are 14 and 12.
And they're all healthy.
(08:30):
So I feel very blessed for that.
And they're also driven.
They're driven kids as far asthey're, you know.
They're in multiple sports.
My boys are also, you know, inmusic, so one of them's in choir
, the other one's in band, Also,you know, in music, so one of
them's in choir, the other one'sin band.
So I try as much as possible tobe that basketball mom, soccer
(08:50):
mom and person in the crowdcheering for every concert I can
make.
But no, it's, it's.
It really happens in theopportunity to to take on a
position such as this because myhusband has been such a rock
for me.
You know he's got a job out ofthe house, which has been a
(09:12):
wonderful thing to give us somebalance in our life, and he
knows he's the call that's goingto have to take the call
probably more likely than myselfand pick up the kiddo that's
sick and bring in the permissionslip that was missed.
So it was just a really goodsupport system there.
And then here at Serco, you knowI mentioned earlier, you know,
back when I took over as CEO,versus now.
(09:34):
I mean, we're over 550employees at this point and it's
hard to keep that family feel.
But it was a culture that washere before I was in this chair
and I think I've done a fine jobmaintaining that.
We do things that many 550 plusemployers don't do.
(09:54):
We have a Christmas party everyyear.
Still, we have a summer picnicwhere all the employees and
their spouse and their familiescome out to a park and we even
attend.
It's called the Madison Forward.
It's a semi-pro soccer teamthat we all go and watch one
game in the fall.
So it's a very tight-knit550-employee base and there's
(10:21):
days I will pass by people and Idon't know their name, but
that's okay because they theyrecognize we've grown and we've
been very fortunate to grow withour, our member owners.
So, yeah, I feel very blessed,professionally and personally
with my, my family.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
You mentioned that your kids are driven and I have
to guess that they were gettingthat from their mom.
You're a great inspiration Ican only imagine to them and
what they're seeing youaccomplish.
So a great role model for them.
And then you know just the workfamily and as you grow it does
get more and more challenging.
But I think you've done afantastic job at trying to keep
that personal touch that canmake such a difference in your
(11:02):
work environment as well.
I think it's interesting, as wetalk about this and the
responsibilities that are tiedto each as we prep for the
conversation, you sharedsomething not on your resume
besides your amazing kiddos thatyou are proud of.
Can you touch on what that was?
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Oh sure, you know I can't take full credit for this.
I think I learned a lot of thisjust by reading and watching
other leaders.
What I saw is a successfulleadership trait and really what
I like to say is I don't havework-life balance, I just try to
(11:41):
have presence in whatever I do.
So what I mean by that is, youknow, when I'm at work, you know
my heart, my drive, I try tohave 100 percent of everything
to be there and it kind of goesgoes back to what I was talking
about with.
You know what I have at home,with a very supportive husband
that has the flexibility to dropthings if something happens
(12:05):
with the kiddos, that he canstep in and he can take care of
that.
Yet, because I feel like I givewhen I'm physically at work
every day, I really have noissues when I go home trying to
say you know what I've givenSerco, I've given the board,
I've given my members a lot.
(12:26):
I deserve to have presence nowwith my kids, you know, and my
husband and maybe my parents andmy brothers, however that may
go.
So yeah, I just feel, you know,that idea of work-life balance
is a hard thing to master andI've always just looked at it to
(12:47):
say.
One thing I'm proud of is Ijust don't try to balance it, I
just, whatever I'm in at thatmoment, I try to give it my all,
so that when I'm in the nextpresence, whether it's home and
friends, I give it all there aswell.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
So yeah, and I really want to highlight this, as I
think there can sometimes be afalse belief that some females
and I know I hear it too how doyou do it all?
But some females in executive orleadership positions, with
kiddos and multiple activitiesand a demanding job who can
attend both and be present, havesome unbelievable superpower,
when the fact of the matter is,you have figured out what works
(13:24):
best for you and have alignedyour priorities in such a way
that you can accomplish whatmatters most to you.
So, amy, I applaud you fortalking about this to shine a
light on there not being a magicrecipe to make it all work, but
rather finding your rhythm thatworks for you.
Because when people say to me,how do you do it all?
And it's, I'm just veryintentional with my time.
(13:46):
So you know, I've picked andprioritized what works for me so
that when I'm in a moment, I'mintentional in that moment.
Sure, and I think you have tojust find what works best for
you and and.
But I don't think there is amagic superpower or magic wand
that we wave and it all flowstogether, right, right.
Sometimes I think we wish therewas.
(14:08):
Right, but it's not there, soyou just have to find what works
best for you, and that's okay.
Right, amy, you are a fierceadvocate and also an inspiration
for the industry In addition toyour day-to-day role.
Let's talk about the boards youvolunteer your time on.
Although you recentlytransitioned off the board of
(14:29):
WGA, let's start with yourinvolvement on the WGA board.
Can you start with how you gotinvolved and your experience?
Sure, sure.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So I was fortunate, in my opinion, to join the Women
Grocers of America at about thesame time as the person I'm
having this conversation withthe you, kristen.
But really the person thatliterally grabbed me in a
hallway one day at a NGA showwas Stephanie Reed from the
Shelby Report and she said hey,I want to introduce you to this
(15:01):
group of people.
You know, we were trying tolaunch a mentorship program,
we're trying to launch amentorship program and we also,
you know, have this fun run atthe NGA show that creates
scholarship monies for the MaryMacy Scholarship.
And I said, oh, that soundsinteresting.
You know, at that point thatwas really my first opportunity
to see what it might look liketo join an organization.
(15:24):
I didn't go into that meetingthinking I would be on the board
by any means, but I wasfortunate, based on where the
organization was at the time, totake a board seat, not like
yourself, kristen, who took onthe president role, but it was,
as I said.
I just felt like the timing wasjust really, really impactful.
(15:49):
I mean, the organization wasreally focused on those two
things I said they were tryingto have at the NGA show, this
idea of a mentorship opportunityfor some seasoned women in
industry to maybe talk to somepeople who were up and comers,
which is where I was at the time, talked to some people who were
up and comers, which is where Iwas at the time, and instead
(16:10):
really the board seats kind ofshuffled and it became much,
much more than that and youshould be very proud, kristen,
for creating that, because ittook your vision.
I just was fortunate to grabonto pieces of that vision and
(16:31):
try to have some ownership.
And for me, I did love the ideaof the scholarships.
So you know, at the time, likeI said, there was this one Mary
Macy scholarship that was fundedby this run, I think the last
year.
I did it this past summer, youknow, between vendor
sponsorships that were nowcoming in, related to specific
(16:54):
food safety related scholarships, for example, we gave out four.
So you know, that's prettyremarkable growth on just a
scholarship front, scholarshipfront, and then just that idea
of trying to make sure that theorganization was in a good spot
financially.
You know, besides what you'veall been able to raise with
(17:15):
vendor recognition of howimportant this organization is,
I took on just trying to come upwith a way that made it easy
and fun to create a raffle atthe NGA show and you know we
didn't come up with the prize,but I think we did come up with
(17:35):
a pretty creative way the firstyear that we decided to take our
raffle online and we putourselves out there against the
NGA pack and their raffle withthe bourbon and we went to the
QR code, able to use a creditcard versus their conventional
way of expecting people to havecash, and we did very well that
(17:59):
first year, just by changingthat format of how we could
actually collect funds.
So it's been, you know, we couldactually collect funds.
So it's been, you know, asbasic things to that, to
obviously being a member of EXFLfor a number of events and then
now the symposium that's beencreated after the membership
(18:20):
feedback as far as what wouldmake that educational,
networking, amazing group ofwomen that come together as
meaningful as possible.
So it's been a great ride andI've enjoyed contributing.
I've enjoyed learning and beinga part of a board where every
person picked something up andjust did.
(18:42):
It is quite remarkable, I cantell you.
Not every board is like that.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
No, I think the involvement of our board is
phenomenal and I appreciate allyour kind words.
It's been a great ride and, amy, as we know as leaders, right,
it's all about the team that youbuild to make it work.
And I think we have such agreat team on our board.
Like you said, everybody iswilling and driven to help make
(19:07):
this be successful and worktowards the vision, and I think
that's where we've been sofortunate to accomplish that
vision and continue to move itforward with great impact.
What points do you feel WGA hasin the industry for the future?
Where do you feel that thatimpact lies?
Speaker 3 (19:31):
I guess for myself I would say you know we want to
see people continue to come intothis industry.
So I think one thing that theWGA has done a nice job on you
know it does have woman in thename of it, but I think many of
us are just very passionateabout making this industry
something that is appealing topeople to find a career in, and
(19:57):
I think the idea of you know,the involvement with the
students has been wonderful toshow them that a career doesn't
have to look like you're thechecker at the grocery store and
where your career can actuallygo, whether it's at retail,
wholesale, working at one of theCPG partners.
It's just, I think it's createdthat openness, with multiple
(20:21):
campuses as well, to continue toshine a light on this is a
great industry to be in and aspeople weigh and see economic
pressures in differentindustries, as I always like to
say to my kids, people alwayslike to eat and eat.
So why not join an industrythat's pretty stable when it
(20:41):
comes to a necessary survivalitem?
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Well, and to your point of yes, there's women in
the name of the organization,but we all know that we have
great male allies, and I thinkthe important part of it is
supporting everybody in theiruniqueness so that we can all do
better together and continue tohave a thriving industry, both
(21:06):
by attracting new talent, butalso retaining the talent that
we have and making them feelthat they're in a space that
they're supported to achievesuccess.
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
So let's talk about your next role.
You are also on the NGA boardand I know you're part of that
executive committee.
Can you share a little bitabout your role on that team?
Speaker 3 (21:27):
Oh sure, it's somewhat new for me.
Still At the board meetingthat's coming up actually in a
couple days here, this will bemy first time that I'm actually
in the role as secretary on theboard.
So really there's the chair,vice chair, treasurer, and then
the secretary.
(21:48):
So the chairs have beensomewhat laid out for the
succession of the upcoming yearsof the NGA.
So just looking to continue tofind ways where I can have a
larger role, I currently alsosit on the investment committee
that meets quarterly.
(22:08):
Also sit on the investmentcommittee that meets quarterly
so we review the different assetallocations for where the
different funds are sitting andensure that we're following our
investment policy statement forthe NGA.
I've also been part of thestrategic planning initiative
that Greg created a subcommitteefor that lays out kind of their
longer term strategic plan andtheir pillars that the NGA wants
(22:29):
to continue to support andensure that we're listening to
the membership and obviouslymaking sure that we're
specifically, you know, beingthe voice in Washington DC for
the independent grocer.
So those have been really whereI'm at now and, like I said,
I'm going to learn what thisnext secretary seat has very
shortly.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Great work you're doing there and let's not forget
your role in future with theRAFTA board.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
I like to refer to this one just because I am the
only female on that board.
I like to call it mybrotherhood because I am on a
board with seven other CEOs ofretail-owned food distributors,
so I've held the roles there oftreasurer and now the vice chair
of RAFTA.
The November of 2025 conference, mike Violette, who's our
(23:14):
current chair, will be steppingdown and I'll be excited to be
able to say I'll be the firstfemale chairwoman of RAFTA in
history.
It's an exciting time there aswell.
Rafta has been known forcreating dynamic opportunities
for share groups across thewholesaler to come together
(23:35):
twice a year and we rotate ourteams.
What I mean by that is you canhave finance the CFO from every
one of the eight wholesalers.
Come and they have two days ofsharing best practices from
operations to human resources,been very lucky at Rafta to have
a lot of associate support fromtechnology companies, cpgs,
(23:56):
marketing organizations toinclude our independent
retailers as part of theconference as well.
So when we go to these things,they're not just coming and
talking to the CEOs about apotential great arm of the
technology that could be used tobetter their business, but we
now bring two retailers each.
So it's been an evolving boardto be on as well, and I'm just
(24:19):
honored to kind of have thatplace in history to say I'll be
the first female here very soon.
Speaker 2 (24:25):
Absolutely incredible , amy, the perfect leader for
the Rafta organization and thepath you're paving forward and
opportunities for others beyondinspiring.
Keep shattering ceilings,because you're doing amazing,
thank you.
Looking back, what are some ofthe key achievements or
highlights you are most proud of?
Speaker 3 (24:43):
I'll start maybe with what I try to make sure.
I've learned that I didn't growup cleaning milk bottles in the
back room.
That wasn't my background, soI've quickly learned that I need
to be understanding with myselfand not be uncomfortable if I
don't have that same historicalbackground as a lot of people
(25:03):
that have gotten into rolessimilar to mine.
But I feel really it's aboutknowing what you know and
building a bench of peoplearound you to support you in
areas that you aren't the experton, because there's nothing
better for an organization ifthe person at the top isn't
(25:26):
leading by an egotistical viewof having to know it all or
pretending to know it all,because you can get the culture
when you show them that they'repart of something and they have
a special.
What they're doing is leadingand helping the organization's
mission.
It took a bit I'll be perfectlyhonest for me to realize it's
(25:48):
okay not to know everything.
When you're put intoopportunities as I've been
blessed to lead in differentdepartments, put into
opportunities as I've beenblessed to lead in different
departments, I don't try to saythe fake it till I make it.
I'm very open and say I needyou to own that and I need you
to report back and you mightneed to teach me a little bit of
why, because I might not knowexactly why you're saying that.
(26:09):
That to me is somewhat of anachievement not swallow your ego
, but recognize you're going tobe better off as an organization
when you build the bench aroundyou and I don't know.
I think my timing of becomingCEO was also somewhat was a
challenging couple of years.
I started in April of 2019 and Iwas in my role for maybe two
(26:30):
months and suddenly lost Ourmeet director, suddenly passed
away.
You know you never expect thatSuperhuman.
He was in an Ironmancompetition and passed.
So you go through a moment likethat and you have to pivot.
You have to be there for yourteam and then, within a few
months of that happening andgetting that department back and
stable, we decided we were nolonger going to be a SureFind
(26:52):
house and we were pivoting to adifferent brand for all of our
stores, to love or hate, and itwas a challenging, challenging
transition.
What followed was COVID.
I think, looking back, that wasdefinitely a very challenging
24 months and I made it so.
Bring it on.
It was very it was stressful,but also very humbling to look
(27:15):
back at all that theorganization accomplished in
that time.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Remarkable, really, when you mentioned that you're
not starting your career ingrocery and having to navigate
through what that looked like.
Was there anybody that helpedyou do that specifically or have
a better understanding of theindustry as a whole?
Speaker 3 (27:37):
have a better understanding of the industry as
a whole.
Yeah, so I talked a little bitabout Randy Simon and you asked
about that one criticalconversation.
You know he was the CEO priorto myself and he definitely was
a mentor for me.
He was the one that brought meinto meetings, like I said, that
maybe I volunteered myself toget into, but he also obviously
saw something in me that hewanted me to be part of those
(27:58):
meetings.
So, whether it was, you know, asystem change or a difference
in how we were going to doforecasting, it was not 100%
related to CFO duties, but I wasbrought into them and I have
him to thank for that.
I also, you know, I have so manygreat retailers that I have the
(28:18):
pleasure to work for.
But Ted Bellistrieri, I'vealways said he he's one of the
co-owners of Sendix Food Marketsand he always he'll tell me
there's never a dumb question.
But I can tell you I've askedhim a lot of dumb questions, in
my opinion, and he's never mademe feel dumb Because he was.
You know, he's just, he's not,he's a humble leader, I don't
(28:41):
know how else to describe it andhe has built quite a team
underneath him and he has a lotof traits that I've tried to
mimic and take pieces from,because I felt like he was a
very impactful leader and stillis.
The last would just be at mycurrent board of directors.
Like I said, there's sevenindependent retailers that sit
on the board right now.
They're extremely engaged.
(29:03):
They're thinking of what iscoming in the future.
I'm very fortunate that they'veall crossed my path.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
I always love hearing those stories because it's just
.
It's such an incredible networkto be a part of.
What are some of the challengesthat you see others, men or
women, facing in leadership?
Speaker 3 (29:18):
today I go back to that idea of you don't have to
know it all.
I think the idea that you reallyneed to build your benches and
that goes beyond just yourprofessional benches but I've
got my strong bench at home withmy family.
I've got a strong bench ofpersonal friends that are my
outlet when I need to get awayand have a girls weekend If you
(29:42):
don't create those benchesyou're going to, you're going to
bog yourself down and you'regoing to put unrealistic
expectations on yourself.
I think that's a challenge thatpeople have and you know I call
it like department geniusesaround you so that the entire
organization back to theprofessional side is better off.
(30:02):
The leader's role is to makesure the communication barriers
are broken down, the silos arebroken down across those
departments and you're marchingwith values that are meaningful
and you can personally attachyourself to.
And I think when that leadergrabs those types of traits
versus the I'm going to portray,I know it all.
I think you're really buildingan organization that can have a
(30:24):
lot of staying power and be verypowerful.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
What trends do you see now that we absolutely need
to be keeping an eye on as oflate?
Speaker 3 (30:32):
specifically GLP-1s or other things that are
happening.
But the way that the consumeris viewing food a lot of emotion
, I guess, around food, you know, watching that trend, what the
independents offer that can be ahuge winning point for us.
The consumer might look at abig box and think, how do I get
(30:52):
emotion when I'm shopping there,versus if I can go into a store
that I can walk in the door andthey've made their fresh bread
there that day I can pick up asteak that I just watched that
person cut Equally.
So they're all watching theirpocketbook.
Making sure that our stores arestill showing value to the
consumer will continue to be achallenge.
(31:14):
And then how much the shopper isshopping in different ways.
How much are they buying onlineversus how much are they buying
in store?
Maybe your e-commerce isn'tgoing to explode, but you know
what, if you don't offer it,that is going to give the
shopper a reason to maybe gosomewhere else.
Just that constant balance ofinvestment to make sure that
you're in the game withtechnology.
(31:35):
Balance of investment to makesure that you're in the game
with technology.
Yet you still have those nichethings that you create that
emotional tie with food.
That is a differentiator thatthe independents can do.
I think it's an exciting timebecause of those trends.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
We can probably do a separate podcast on each of
those.
Yeah, for sure.
Is there anything else thatexcites you about the future?
Speaker 3 (31:55):
of the industry, some of the main initiatives that
NGA has been working on.
The traction that is beingheard across Washington on fair
competition.
I haven't been on the Hill aton lobbying but the times I
have the attention we're gettingis very exciting to level that
playing field.
Exciting to level that playingfield as a wholesaler.
(32:16):
If I can buy in a truckload ofproduct and can be as efficient
as a customer as the big guys,why can't we have similar
promotion strategies, similarpricing strategies and
opportunities to compete?
Speaker 2 (32:25):
Yeah, and I think the impact that you mentioned the
hill visits and some of thoseconversations that are had with
representatives, the impact thatthose carry, I think are
oftentimes underestimated, andthe experience of being able to
do that and create thoserepresentatives, the impact that
those carry, I think, areoftentimes underestimated, and
the experience of being able todo that and create those
relationships too, just verypowerful Not only the business
but the customer and theconsumer as a whole.
Okay, amy, you have received ahigh recognition in the industry
(32:48):
this year and being named WGA's2025 Woman of the Year.
I could not be more proud, onbehalf of the board, to have you
highlighted with this honor.
Can you touch on what thismeans to you and the impact it
has on you, both personally andprofessionally?
Speaker 3 (33:01):
You know, first of all, I'm humbly surprised to
hear where the nomination camefrom, from, you know, the peer
group of board of directors andthen personnel that have had the
joy of working with many ofthem for 10 plus years.
Some of them were here theentire time I've been at CertCo.
The things that you're doing,that you wonder if they're
making an impact.
When you receive something likethis, it makes it all worth it
(33:26):
and I don't mean to getemotional, but, yeah, I was
truly floored.
It makes all the hard workworth it.
I don't know what else to say.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
Your passion, your advocacy, your contributions.
The award represents yourinspiring leadership within the
industry.
And you know what, my friendkeep blazing trails, because
you're absolutely making adifference.
And I also want to say you knowwe talked about you becoming
the first leader of the RAFTAboard and your kiddos being able
(33:53):
to see you take on new rolesand create new heights and new
paths forward.
This again, another opportunitythat your kids get to see.
You know that drive that you'resharing with them and that
they're going to do the samething and they get to follow on
mom's footsteps and I just it'sincredible to watch.
I will say you know theselection committee.
(34:14):
They selected the absoluteright individual, but I'd be
amiss without calling out, youknow, over 20 candidates are
selected, which, just to me, isso inspiring, so many amazing
females in this industry.
It's just, it's awesome to be apart of.
Speaker 3 (34:26):
I'm just honored that you know I'm one of the ones
that people can hopefully seethat it's possible and you got
to just be true to who you areand it's not a fake it till you
make it.
It's about surrounding yourselfwith good people, having the
luxury of having a great boardof directors and great customer
owners that align with yourvision as perfect as it can get
Just amazing.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
Thank you, Amy.
As we like to wrap up thiswonderful conversation, I'm
going to throw you a little bitof a curveball.
If you were writing a book orcreating a podcast about the
industry today, what would thetitle be?
Speaker 3 (34:58):
reflect on even the makeup of an executive team.
Taking the time to recognizethe bench as it was didn't
(35:18):
exactly match what I thought wasright and challenging yourself
to figure out what would makesense.
And you might make mistakesalong the way, but as long as
you learn from them and recoverand you don't do it again next
time, it's a good slogan Love,love, love.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
It Can't wait to read that book.
Amy, thank you so very much forsharing your time and your
thoughts with us today.
I appreciate you, your storyand your contribution to the
industry.
Thank you for all you do and aspecial thank you for your
contributions to the WGAs oryour time on the board.
Thank you, Kristen, to ourguests.
Thank you so much for tuning into today's episode.
(35:55):
We hope you enjoyed thediscussion as much as we did.
If you found value, be sure tosubscribe to the podcast to
never miss an episode and leavea review on your favorite
listening platform to helpothers discover Grocery from Her
Suite.
Until next time, keep making adifference in all you do.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:11):
On behalf of the Women Grocers of America, we
thank you for listening to ourpodcast today and ask that you
subscribe, leave a five-starreview and share with a friend.
If you have a suggestion for aguest from the industry, mention
them in the comments.
Episodes are released everyother week and they are
sponsored by NGA, hosted byKristen Popp, president of WGA,
and published by Rachel Milowith SWA Marketing.
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