Klein’s Associates Honored for Years of Service

From Klein’s ShopRite:

BEL AIR, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013: Stating that “the true strength of our stores is the people that work there,” Andrew P. Klein, President of Klein’s ShopRite of Maryland, along with many members of the Klein family, owners and operators of the Harford County-based grocery store chain, celebrated those Associates who had achieved milestones of 25 and 30 years or more of continuous employment with the company.

The ceremony was held at a luncheon at Liberatore’s Restaurant in Bel Air, where each Associate was given a formal Certificate of Recognition, a 25- or 30-Year Pin, and a cash award. As each Associate was called up to receive his or her award, Andrew, Michael and Howard Klein regaled those in attendance, who included spouses, family members and friends of the honorees, members of the Klein family and Klein’s ShopRite Human Resources Director Roi Tucker, with stories about each Associate’s history with the company. In many cases, these stories recalled first getting to know each Associate decades ago, and invariably included thanking each Associate for his or her specific contributions over the years.

The positions held by each Associate included Store Director, Department Supervisor, Cashier, IT Director, workers in various departments, and maintenance personnel. The certificates were individually signed by Ralph Klein, Chairman Emeritus; Andrew P. Klein, President; Michael J. Klein, Vice President; Howard S. Klein, Vice President and General Counsel; Marshall J. Klein, Director of Operations; and Sarah B. Klein, IT/Front End System Supervisor.

Honored for 25 Years of Service, with members of the Klein family [25years.jpg]: Front row, l. to r.: Judy Bishop-Wegman, Ella Mae Fadely, Dorothy Hoffman, Michelle Ross, Marie Hollands, Bobette Ireton, Howard Klein. Back row, l. to r.: Alan Ewing, Andrew Klein, William David Hanson, Jon Morris, Dean Waddell, Michael Klein.

Honored for 30 Years of Service, with members of the Klein family [30years.jpg]: Standing, front: Bessie Grant. Front Row, l. to r.: Frances Holbrook, Lisa Cowan, Catherine Johnson, Donna Sage, Franklin Simmons, Sandra Welsh. Back Row, l. to r: Kenneth Matthews, Andrew Klein, Janet Jones, Robert Belcher, Michael Klein, Howard Klein.

Also honored but unable to attend were Leroy Simpers, for 25 years of service, and Edward Jehnert, Jr., for 30 years of service. During the ceremony, a slide show displayed historical photos of Klein’s and some of the Associates going back decades, along with current photos.

After the presentations, Marshall and Sarah Klein, members of the 4th generation of the Klein family now participating in the family business, spoke about how they had grown up knowing and relying on these Associates as practically part of their family. Also honored and in attendance was Richard Buchholz, who has worked for the Klein family in various capacities since 1979!

Roi Tucker, Director of Human Resources, commented that “we intend to make this ceremony a yearly affair, to honor our Associates as they achieve the kind of consistent excellence that is very rare nowadays.”

Klein’s ShopRite of Maryland was originally founded by Maurice Klein as Klein’s General Store in Fallston, Maryland, in 1925, and moved to Forest Hill, Maryland, in 1947. In 2009, the entity, then known as Klein’s Family Markets, joined the Wakefern Food Cooperative and became Klein’s ShopRite. Klein’s ShopRite owns and operates grocery stores in Harford County in Forest Hill, Bel Air, the Festival at Bel Air, Aberdeen, Riverside and Cardiff, and in Baltimore County in Jacksonville and Parkville. A ninth store is under construction in Baltimore City.

For further information, visit www.shoprite.com.

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