Hall of Fame 2022

HALL OF fame
whether that’s keeping up with
personal details or encouraging people
to take time away from the office for
children’s sports or school activities.
Skokan was a trusted problem solver
who helped guide the company’s
financial growth though the evolution
of the grocery industry. He attributes
much of this success to his ability
to listen openly and understand
that he’s not always right.
During the uncertainties of the COVID-19
pandemic, he worked alongside
the board and executive leadership
team to navigate unprecedented
challenges in the industry, such as
keeping employees safe, keeping
stores delivering for customers and
subsequent workforce issues.
He worked closely with Edeker to find
ways to do more, do better and ensure
Hy-Vee remains relevant and influential
in the future. Edeker challenged him to
take his role from a traditionally behindthe-scenes
accounting responsibility
and shape it into a partnership to make
business decisions and understand
the entire company’s operations.
Over the past few years, Skokan
worked closely with his successor
Andy Schreiner to set the team up
for success during his transition into
retirement. They collaborated on
challenges, bouncing ideas off one
another and talking through how
to navigate difficult situations.
LASTING LEGACY
BEYOND THE OFFICE
Skokan was inducted into the Hy-Vee
Hall of Fame in 2015 and 2021 for
his leadership at the company. The
nomination is made by a group of
stockholders, peers and executive
leadership and ultimately awarded by
Edeker. He was also named Deloitte
CFO of the Year in 2022 by the Business
Record, an award that honors an oftenunsung
individual who demonstrates
outstanding performance in their role
as a corporate financial steward.
Throughout his career, Skokan was
involved in a variety of volunteer
leadership roles, including the
SHAZAM Network board, Children &
Families of Iowa, Des Moines Pastoral
Council and University of Northern
Iowa Accounting Advisory Council.
He was also part of the Iowa Grocers
Education Foundation Board of
Trustees which fundraises and awards
scholarships to high school students
working in the grocery industry, or
with parents in the industry. The
program is coordinated annually by
the Iowa Grocery Industry Association.
Skokan and his wife Deanna have
been married for 27 years and have
two daughters, Ashley and Brittany. He
says his family’s unwavering support
has been the key to his success, and
together they all worked to make the
most of the time they shared. They
have enjoyed many family memories
at Clear Lake and Lake of the Ozarks.
Both Ashley and Brittany work
at Hy-Vee. Ashley is part of the
corporate communications team
in West Des Moines, and Brittany
is part of the IT team at the Helpful
Smiles Technology center in Grimes.
“It’s pretty special to see them both
making their own paths at Hy-Vee,”
he says. “Clearly the company has
been a big part of their lives over the
years and to see them embrace it
for their own careers is exciting.”
Since retiring in January, Skokan has
spent time traveling with Deanna.
They intend to continue traveling and
enjoying time on the water at Lake
of the Ozarks with their family.
About the
Lifetime
Achievement
Award
The IGIA board created this award in 1999
out of a desire to honor those individuals
who have left an indelible mark on
the grocery industry. Reserved for the
industry’s greatest leaders, this award
recognizes those who have given a lifetime
of outstanding service to their companies,
their industry and their communities.
The committee considers the nominee’s
lasting impacts on the grocery industry,
company or employees. Also considered
is innovative work that has improved
the work environment, contributed to
employee or consumer health, promoted
community growth or forwarded
positive environmental/sustainability
goals; contributions to other industryrelated
professional organizations;
years of grocery industry involvement;
membership and participation in IGIA
and a long history of superior customer
service and community involvement.
The award is not to be given out lightly.
The award standards have been set so high
that this award is not given every year.
“I’m humbled and honored to
receive this Lifetime Achievement
award. As someone who is
typically behind the scenes, it’s a
mix of emotions to be recognized,
but I am truly thankful.”
MIKE SKOKAN, HY-VEE
HALL OF FAME ISSUE 2022 29