Pictured, left to right: Steve Smith – Food City president/CEO; Mitch Cochran – Food City Jack C. Smith Store manager of the year; Rodney Dillard – Food City EVP of Store Operations, Chattanooga Division; John Jones – Food City EVP/director of Store Operations; and Greg Sparks – Food City SVP/chief operations officer
Each year, Food City presents one deserving store manager with the supermarket retailer’s highest honor, the Jack C. Smith Store Manager of the Year Award. The award is named in memory of the company’s beloved former founder and chairman of the board and recognizes outstanding performance across a broad spectrum of customer service and financial performance categories.
This year’s winner achieved outstanding performance in each of these categories and epitomizes the company’s mission to “run the best store in town.” Mitch Cochran, Store Manager for Food City #743 in Cleveland, was presented with the coveted award during Food City’s Store Manager meeting on Feb.
27 in Knoxville.
Officials said, "Mr. Cochran began his career in 1972 with Red Food Stores as a courtesy clerk. His determination, strong work ethic, and commitment to excellence quickly advanced him through the ranks. He served in a number of positions, including dairy manager and assistant store manager before assuming the role of store manager.
"Mr. Cochran is an exceptional store manager who is a tremendous role model and mentor to his associates and extremely devoted to his customers, most of whom he knows by name. He is also very involved in his local community, visiting schools reading to area students, conducting student store tours and sharing life application lessons, store best practices and safety standards. Mr. Cochran has served on a number of charitable boards and volunteered with countless organizations and community events throughout the years."
After 50 years of dedicated service to the company, Mr. Cochran has announced his retirement.
“Mitch has been an outstanding store manager. He has served his community, his associates and his company for more than 50 years. While we are certainly sad to see him go, we would like to thank him for his dedicated service and wish him all the best for a well-deserved retirement and more time to spend with his family and friends,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.