to view the 30th Anniversary Magazine - National Grocers Association

INTERVIEWLOOKING BACK TO NGA’SBEGINNING YEARSA Conversation with Tom ZauchaTOM ZAUCHA’S DISTINGUISHED 40-YEAR CAREER in the food industry covered thecomplete spectrum of the retailer / wholesaler supply system, with emphasis on government and publicaffairs. In 1982, he became president and CEO of the National Grocers Association upon the mergerof Cooperative Food Distributors of America (CFDA) with the National Association of Retail Grocers ofthe United States (NARGUS) and served until retiring in July 2010.BY OSCAR KATOVQA +Mr. Zaucha shares his perspective in this May2012 interview.NGA In everything, there is a beginning.When did it occur for the merger?TKZ The late 1970s were the “beginningof the beginning”. That’s the only way tocharacterize the many meetings and phonecalls between dedicated retailers and wholesalersas they overcame years of mutual mistrustand suspicions, and embraced the concept thatworking together was more powerful for anorganization than working alone.To remain independent in the future wouldrequire retailers and wholesalers to embrace theconcept of interdependence.NGA When did the discussions begin to getserious?TKZ The actions became more intense in’81, with the involvement of leaders on bothsides who not only effectively communicatedthat concept of a merger to their respectivemembers, but also found they could workharmoniously with each other. Another hurdleto overcome was whether co-ops and voluntarywholesalers would live together with the independentsin a new organization.and support for an organization that focusedexclusively on the needs and representationof the independent sector and that includesrecognizing the cooperatives and voluntaries,the IGAs, the Piggly Wigglys, the AssociatedGrocers, the ShopRites, and you could go onand on. It was always my contention that everyindustry segment needs and will demand fullrepresentation and service. It was clear that avacuum existed, and NGA filled that vacuum.Accomplishing that was a major event.Number two, we go back to creating what Icall the “brand,” the brand being the characterof the independent sector. By that, I meanthe “independents” are community-focusedcompanies with a special commitment andrelationship with the communities they servewhere their customers and employees are alsoneighbors. Independent retailers are the trueentrepreneurs of the food industry.Third was the success of our public policyand trade initiatives. For example, we pressedhard for a level playing field, and fairness inthe marketplace that affect all NGA memberson issues ranging from tax policies and creditcard fees to the preservation of the Robinson-Patman Act to uniform enforcement of theanti-trust laws.“A level playing field is as important to thesmallest one store operator as it is to the largestmanufacturer.”These were major accomplishments, reflectingthe importance we placed on grassrootssupport from our members on key issues –NGA In the 30 years that NGA has grownfrom what I call “a gleam in your eye,” to aleading association in the industry, what eventsoccurred that are of special significance?TKZ I would say there were three events.Number one was the industry-wide recognition30TH ANNIVERSARY THE COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE | 3