Mike Eardley, HEB, Receives 2010 IDDBA President's Award

NEWS FROM IDDBA

For Immediate Release
For more information contact Jessica Hughes (jhughes@iddba.org or 608.310.5000)

June 18, 2010

Madison, WI — Mike Eardley, Director of Deli, Cheese and Prepared Foods, HEB Grocery Co., received the 2010 International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association's President's Award at the Awards Banquet, the closing event of Dairy-Deli-Bake 2010. John J. Sullivan, President of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association and President & CEO, Norseland, Inc., selected Eardley for the honor which recognizes distinguished service or contribution to the industry and honors those who have led with vision and dedication.
In presenting the award on Tuesday, June 8, Sullivan said:

The IDDBA President's Award is given to an individual who has made an extraordinary commitment to serving a cause, an organization, an industry, or a country.

Mike Eardley's long career in grocery started while he was still in grade school working in the family supermarket. This early exposure to the business taught him to appreciate integrity, good food, and great customer service. His mentor and teacher was his father.

His life-long work ethic is based on a passion and enthusiasm for excellence and for accountability in himself and in others. He leads by example and sets the bar for achievement very high.

He has served on almost every IDDBA committee, and is still active on the Retail Advisory Committee. He served on the Board for over nine years and was the President of the IDDBA in 2001-2002.

In recognition of his passion and enthusiasm for excellence, and on behalf of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association and our grateful industry, we are delighted to present the 2010 IDDBA President's Award to Mike Eardley.

His vision, leadership, and service are an inspiration to us all.

Mike Eardley has worked in the grocery industry since grade school, beginning in his father's supermarket where he learned to appreciate integrity, good food, and great customer service.

He spent 29 years working for D&W Food Centers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. D&W was a leader in independent supermarket circles and known for their innovation in food service and deli. Mike was Director of Food Service when D&W opened its first restaurant and its Central Kitchen. He later became Vice President of Fresh Foods, heading up the Meat, Produce, Deli, Bakery, Seafood, Floral, and Chef Departments. He brought a food service mentality to all of the fresh areas of the store. He also had leadership for the Central Kitchen, Meat Plant, Floral Design and Distribution Facility, and Food Safety Departments.

In 2001, HEB Supermarkets hired Mike to join their team in San Antonio, Texas as Business Development Manager for Deli. He was recently named Director of Deli, Cheese and Prepared Foods.

Mike is very active in the industry, serving as IDDBA president from 2001-2002. He's a frequent speaker at numerous conventions, including the FMI National Convention, FMI Supermarket Food Service Conference and the IDDBA's Dairy-Deli-Bake Seminar and Expo. He is also involved in his community, serving on the Board of Directors for Kent County Literacy Council and Food Marketers Credit Union.

Mike and his wife, Deborah, live in San Antonio, TX. They have three wonderful children and two beautiful grandchildren. When he has time, he enjoys a good game of golf and cooking. Getting used to the sunny warmth of his new home, Mike has found that there is nothing finer than sitting outdoors on the patio enjoying a fine beverage and a great book.

#   #   #

Information on IDDBA's research, education, and other industry activities is also available on its Web site, www.iddba.org, or by calling 608.310.5000. Now in its 46th year, IDDBA specializes in promoting the dairy, deli, cheese, and bakery industries. Member companies enjoy many benefits and services including the annual seminar and expo, leading-edge research, video and computer-based training programs, management tools, an annual trends report, and a member directory of key industry contacts.